Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
All the Buzz Ornamental Onion: Rosy Globes When Lavender Fades
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All the Buzz ornamental onion is a compact summer allium covered in rounded, 2-inch clusters of tiny, starry rosy purple florets. It blooms about two weeks earlier than similar types and has a pinker tone of purple. At 14 to 18 inches tall, it sits neatly at the front of a border.
The name is not an exaggeration. On a sunny August afternoon, bees and butterflies crowd every globe.
All the Buzz at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Allium 'All the Buzz' |
| Flowers | Rosy purple globes about 2 inches across |
| Foliage | Glossy, grassy, medium green with a bluish cast |
| Size | 14 to 18 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early August, peaks mid-August |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer and rabbits avoid it |
A relay partner for lavender
Lavender peaks in early to midsummer. By August, many beds are sheared or harvested and the bees start looking elsewhere. All the Buzz is ready for them. Its rosy purple globes keep the same color family going, so the bed still reads as lavender-colored, just in a rounder shape. The tidy, grassy foliage also looks good all season, which is more than many front-of-border plants can claim.
Both plants like sun and lean, well-drained ground and both shrug off dry spells. Tuck clumps along the front edge of a lavender row, at path corners or in a rock garden. Try groupings in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Planting: set the bare root plant in spring with the crown at the soil surface and water it in.
- Soil: lean to average and well drained. Soggy soil in wet summers can rot the rhizomes.
- Water: regular water the first season, then only in long droughts.
- Seed heads: leave them for late-season interest, or deadhead to limit seedlings.
- Cleanup: once the foliage yellows, cut it back in late fall or early spring. Divide clumps in spring every few years.
Cutting and drying
All the Buzz rates well as both a cut and a dried flower. Strong stems hold the globes upright. Cut when most of the florets are open, and expect a mild oniony note when you first bring them in; it fades. Dried globes look charming tucked into a bundle of dried lavender.
Frequently asked questions
Is it edible like a chive?
It is grown as an ornamental and is not recommended for eating.
Does it spread?
It forms a compact clump. Deadheading prevents stray seedlings if you want it to stay put.
Will it grow in my zone?
It is rated for zones 4 to 8. Check yours with the USDA Zone Finder.
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