Common Name: Millenium Allium
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Native Range: Garden hybrid; not naturally occurring in the wild
Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Height: 15 to 20 inches
Spread: 12 to 18 inches
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer (typically July to August)
Bloom Description: Rounded, rose-purple globes of tightly clustered flowers held above the foliage on sturdy stems
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Water Needs: Low to medium
Soil Preference: Well-drained; tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils
Management Level: Low
Suggested Use: Borders, pollinator gardens, containers, mass plantings
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, other pollinators
Tolerates: Drought, deer, rabbits, poor soil
Notable Features: Award-winning performance, long bloom period, tidy foliage, compact habit
Nebraska Growing Notes:
‘Millenium’ is one of the top-performing ornamental onions for Nebraska landscapes. It thrives in full sun, handles clay soils common in much of the state, and endures hot summers with minimal water once established. Unlike other summer bloomers that may fade or flop, this Allium maintains its upright form and green, glossy foliage into fall.
This hybrid is sterile, so it won’t reseed or spread aggressively, making it ideal for managed beds or high-traffic display gardens. It works beautifully in both formal borders and naturalistic plantings.
Cut back spent blooms to tidy up the plant if desired, though the seed heads also provide visual interest. Division every 3–4 years keeps it vigorous.
Landscape Use:
A standout in pollinator gardens, formal perennial borders, low-water beds, and city landscapes. Its compact shape and architectural blooms make it a reliable edging plant, especially when combined with Salvia, Echinacea, Coreopsis, or Nepeta. Also suitable for container gardens.
Caution:
Generally non-toxic but may cause mild digestive irritation if consumed in large quantities by pets. Foliage may have a faint onion scent when bruised. No thorns or aggressive spreading behavior.
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