Allium 'Summer Beauty'

About this cultivar:

Allium 'Summer Beauty' is apparently now called something else by the RHS, but I don't know what! Originally introduced by Dr Joe Halinar of Oregon or Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennials Farms (I see two stories), this is a selection of A. senescens var. montanum (not A. tanguticum). The flat, glossy green leaves form a tight clump similar to A. senescens, but taller. The flowers seem to last forever and don't seem to turn brown like other Alliums. One of our favourites.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade (prefers full sun)
• Soil: Almost any soil - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Flowers: June, July, August
  
• Other features: Bees and Butterflies, Suitable for Container
• Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Habit: Columnar or Upright
• Foliage: Deciduous
• Height: 45 - 75 cm (1.5 - 2.5 ft)
• Spread: 15 - 45 cm (0.5 - 1.5 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, Bulb
• Colour: Pink, green
• Goes well with: Osteospermum, Iris, Lavender, Artemisia, Sage, Phlomis and perhaps Rosa.

About this genus:

Allium, also known as flowering onion, are disease resistant and very easy to grow in a wide range of conditions; from coastal areas to drought-prone areas to our own clay soil at Ballyrobert. They are bulbous, often edible, herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent that is useful for warding off vampires.

Allium usually have pom-pom flowering heads that can be pink, yellow, lemon, powder-blue, purple, lilac, or white. They appear to flower for ever and insects love them. When Allium do stop flowering they don't droop-down - they dry-out! These dry flowers and stems add wonderful structure and offer an even longer 'flowering period'.

Great on their own they are also versatile plants. One use is weaving through other plants since they take up very little space on the ground and have an upright habit. We also grow a few of ours on a wall - it works! (we think). It is up to you what you do with yours! They are also great to grow in pots.

Some ideas: Try Allium next to pastels- we put the smaller ones next to Osteospermum. Or try them with Mediterranean plants like Lavender, Artemisia, Sage, Phlomis and perhaps Rosa. We also think their succulent appearance means they compliment Iris.