Why Plant Medusa Ornamental Onion?
This isn't the Greek monster Medusa, but the ornamental onion that has twisty leaves like the feared Medusa's hair. Don't let this allium scare you, it's only around to provide purple bloom clusters to your landscape. Great for bees and butterflies, Medusa will only bring in the visitors you want, and is resistant to pests such as deer. A distinctive plant in your landscape, Medusa will excite and not frighten!
Onions belong to a genus (Allium) that includes familiar edibles like garlic, chives, shallots, and so much more. There are around 850 species of Alliums globally, nearly all of them native to the Northern Hemisphere. Many have in typical musky-smelling foliage and uniquely arranged flower heads that form globes or starburst patterns. Millenium was bred in 2000 (hence the name) by Mark “The Onion Man” McDonough of Pepperell, Massachusetts. McDonough is an architect by trade and an amateur gardener on the side with a passion for ornamental onions. Millenium is one of his finest introductions.
How to use Medusa Ornamental Onion in the landscape?
No need to be frightened, Medusa Ornamental Onion is here to please, not harm! Medusa is a fast-growing perennial that sends up round balls of purple blooms that are long-lasting and perfect for a tabletop bouquet! Alliums are great drought-tolerant plants that have shown to be long-living. Most border situations suit it well, and it is at home in the rock garden, too. To use the flowers in arrangements, cut them as soon as they open, and they’ll last a long time in the water.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Medusa Ornamental Onion
Plant Medusa Ornamental Onion in a site in the all-day sun; afternoon shade may be a good idea in very hot climates. Medusa grows best in light (sandy), free-draining soils. Diseases and insect pests are rarely a problem with this carefree Spirit; deer and rabbits avoid the aromatic foliage as well.
How To Water
At time of planting, be sure to water your Millenium Ornamental Onion well. Maintain a consistent watering schedule for the first growing season to ensure root system development. After that, they are able to handle drier conditions. It has average to low water needs, withstanding periods of drought once established.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. After that, be sure to fertilize in spring each year as your Onion breaks dormancy!
How To Prune
Each fall, just before winter sets in clean up the previous years foliage and compost it. Be sure your perennials are mulched well for winter protection. Two inches of an organic mulch will do the job. Consider leaving the plant debris in place through the winter and doing your clean up on the weather warms in the spring. While it doesn't make things neat and tidy, the debris provides overwintering protection for insects, their eggs and pupae including our native Viceroy butterfly.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
