Allium senescens Avatar

Allium senescens 'Avatar' is a beautiful ornamental cultivar. Unlike most other varieties, its foliage does not disappear either before or at the same time as flowering: it remains a fresh green colour at the beginning of spring and stays beautiful long after flowering. From July to September, it produces a large number of pink-lilac pompom flowers with silver reflections, attracting pollinating insects. No more difficult to grow than a perennial, it thrives in the sun in well-drained soil. Hardy and tolerant of summer drought, it adds a lovely touch to rockeries, sunny borders, and pots. Its flowers are long-lasting in fresh or dried bouquets.

'Avatar' is a hybrid variety of ornamental garlic, derived from A senescens. This cultivar develops in spring from a bulbous rhizome that forms a beautiful clump of upright, fairly thin, linear, shiny, bright green leaves. It reaches a height of about 30cm (12in) and spreads laterally through its slightly suckering rhizome, at least 50cm (20in) wide. Flowering occurs from July to September in average climates. Flowering stems measuring 30cm (12in) in height emerge from the centre of the tufts. Each stem bears a solitary inflorescence in the shape of a sphere 5 to 6cm (2in) in diameter. The inflorescences are composed of a multitude of tiny lilac-pink star-shaped flowers with silver reflections. They are nectar-rich and attractive to bees. This flowering lasts for about 4 months if the soil remains moist. 

Planted en masse along a pathway or as a border for flower beds, or even combined with perennials in shades of pink and blue, 'Avatar' proves remarkable in a romantic mixed-border. It accompanies daylilies, bellflowers, and agastaches. In an unusual flower and vegetable bed, it can be combined with chives, chard with coloured petioles, Pennisetum 'Rubrum', purple basil, and many others. For a more dynamic effect, its flowers can structure a contemporary garden where several geometric shapes oppose each other. It can be planted with Stipa tenuifolia, lavender, and cone-shaped trimmed boxwoods.

In short, the possibilities are endless! There is certainly a corner of your garden where this garlic will work wonders.