Allium macleanii

Allium macleanii, also known as A. elatum, is a magnificent ornamental garlic. It blooms in May-June, with beautiful clusters of dark purple to lilac star-shaped flowers. Its aerial inflorescences perch at the top of sturdy stems, 80cm (32in) tall. This bulbous plant is easy to cultivate in the sun, but it requires perfectly drained soil. A great asset for flower beds, borders, or pots.

Allium macleanii is a perennial bulbous plant native to the mountains of Algeria, Pakistan, Central Asia, and northern India. This botanical garlic from the Amaryllidaceae family has a fleshy storage organ that multiplies by forming bulblets, and shares with other members of its family a noticeable onion or garlic scent when its foliage is crushed. The inflorescences, perched at 80m (262ft) in height, correspond to large round umbels measuring up to 8cm (3in) in diameter, consisting of numerous star-shaped flowers in a beautiful deep mauve shade. This flowering period spans from May to June. The slightly villous foliage consists of 4 to 6 wide basal leaves with a greyish-green colour. The foliage turns yellow and disappears at the same time as the flowering appears, which is a good adaptation to hot and dry summer conditions.

Easy to cultivate and majestic, Allium macleanii appreciates any type of moist but well-drained soil during its growing season. It likes dry soil in summer. It prefers a sunny location. Perfect in flower beds and borders, it can also be grown on a balcony or patio. Its foliage and flowers will add a unique touch to fresh or dried bouquets. Plant it in groups of 5 among ornamental grasses and perennials, or near roses or yellow brooms. For a spectacular sculptural effect, plant them with topiary boxwood balls. You can plant it alone or with A. stipitatum 'Album', which has the same height and blooms at the same time.

Small vegetable garden tip: plant some ornamental garlic in the middle of strawberries to protect them from fungal diseases. They will add a few pleasant blooms that are sometimes lacking among vegetables.