General Culture: Click for monthly care information.
Easily grown in rich, sandy to gritty, dry to medium moisture, well-drained loams in full sun. Plants form dense, slowly-spreading clumps over time. They perform best in dry, sunny areas of the garden. Established plantings have good drought tolerance. Plant new bulbs 3-6" deep and 8-12" apart in fall. Established plants may be divided in fall.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
'Forelock' is a bulbous ornamental onion that is grown for its spring bloom of large, egg-shaped, maroon-purple flower heads, each with a distinctive and unusual forelock (topknot or tuft) of elongated florets. Strap-shaped, basal green leaves form a clump of foliage in spring. In mid-spring (May in St. Louis), flowering stems rise up (to 24-30" tall) topped with the unique flowers. Flowers are fragrant. Leaves and bulbs have an oniony aroma when cut or bruised.
Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.
No serious insect or disease problems. Bulb rot may occur in overly moist soils. Powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots may appear. Thrips are an occasional problem.
Uses:
Ornamental onion for rock gardens, beds and borders, cottage gardens and meadows. Cut flowers make interesting and unique additions to both fresh cut and dried flower arrangements.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2009
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