Allium Species, Corkscrew Onion, Curly Chives, German Garlic, Spiral Onion

Alliumspirale

Family
Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Allium (AL-ee-um)
Species
spirale (spir-AH-lee)
Synonym
Allium canescens
Allium longicaule
Allium trisulcum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Lavender
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Concow, California

Oroville, California

Thermalito, California

Denver, Colorado(2 reports)

Colchester, Connecticut

Litchfield, Connecticut

Washington, Illinois

Iowa City, Iowa

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Pinconning, Michigan

Hackensack, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Grassy Creek, North Carolina

Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania

Newtown, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Charleston, South Carolina

Jackson, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Vancouver, Washington

Tomah, Wisconsin

Wild Rose, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | January 2014 | positive

Easy, tough, vigorous clump former. The blue-green foliage is elegantly twisted like a cowlick and does not go dormant in summer. Much ha...Read More

S
White Lake, ON (Zone 4b) | December 2006 | positive

Attractive, blue-green, twisted foliage that grows in a small circular clump. Pretty pink umbels in late summer. Very easy to divide an...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | March 2006 | neutral

My information says that this is hardy in zones 3-9.

L
Lawrenceville, PA (Zone 5b) | September 2004 | positive

This is a fun little plant with great foliage for an allium.
It does tolerate just about any soil or light condition, but seems to...Read More

N
N
Hackensack, MN | June 2004 | positive

I have grown "curly" or "twisted" chives (var. glaucum) in zone 3 of north-central Minnesota for 4 years. It is perfectly hardy here, a...Read More

L
| April 2003 | positive

I have a version called "circle chives" that grows itself round into a circle. Tough, takes drought, stands division but leave in place i...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun, but appreciates some light aft...Read More

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