What!?! Good grief! Nonsense. Half the alliums out there are either California natives or hybrids of!! Plant alliums to your heart's content, just pick varieties that are better suited to our warmer climate. Go to your best nursery, one you know has knowledgeable folks. They should stock alliums that grow well in your area. You should be able to fill up your garden here with hundreds of lovely alliums. And, the gophers don't like allium bulbs (or narcissus), nor do deer if you've got deer in your area. Here are some great links for you. The first link from the Los Angeles Times will give you some great variety selections to plant:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2009/11/planting-allium-in-southern-california.html

http://californiagardenclubs.com/content/alliums-all-season-long

http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/alliums-spring-fall-all-season.aspx

http://www.californianativebulbs.com/HTML/Alliums.html

http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/AmericanAlliums

Patty S.

I interested in hearing peoples experiences growing Alliums in SoCal. Specifically with the large lolly pop ones not so much the dainty little native ones.

Particularly A. christophii, A. sphaerocephalum, A. ampeloprasum, A. schubertii, and cultivars like A. 'Purple Sensation' and A. 'Globemaster'.

A. sphaerocephalum did well enough for me, but has disappeared from my garden. It never formed clumps, and the solitary flowers were underwhelming.

A uniflorum is cute but small.

Many weedy white forms...

I have tried some of the Purple "lollies" but they don't like my yard at all...

I feel your pain, but since you are from New Jersey you may not be sick of agapanthus yet :) that's the closest thing I can think of...

Chad

Nope. The big beauties might bloom one time, but in my garden when they do they bloom on a stalk five inches tall at most. I got some Drumstick alliums as a bonus with a lily order, and to my surprise they came up and bloomed last year. It looks like a few might bloom again this year. They are small, but tall and pretty.
Renee

Hi again,

has anyone got any new thoughts on the Allium pre-chill in California issue?

I accidentally planted one Giganteum since I didn’t even consider whether to pre-chill.

With my other ones, I think I will pop them in the fridge.

However, I would still like to hear if other people have any further thoughts?

Thanks.