Allium ampeloprasum White Cloud

Allium 'White Cloud' expands the range of ornamental garlic with white flowers, which is more limited than that of varieties with purple, pink, or violet flowers. Its late flowering, in the heart of summer, also extends the season of ornamental garlic. Who could guess that the majestic 'White Cloud' with its large ivory-white flower balls, descends from the perennial leek, the humble ancient vegetable that used to grow in vineyards? This plant has retained the charm and vigour of wild plants. It is robust and long-lasting in well-drained soils.

Allium 'White Cloud' is a spontaneous white mutation of the pale-pink A. ampeloprasum, ancestor of the cultivated leek. It is native to southern Europe (common in all Mediterranean regions) and western Asia. This herbaceous bulbous plant belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, like cultivated garlic, onion, and leek. It has a small fleshy storage organ, which multiplies by the formation of bulblets, and shares with other members of its family a noticeable onion or garlic smell when its foliage is crushed. The inflorescences, perched at over 1m (3ft) in height, consist of beautiful spherical and very dense umbels that can measure up to 8cm (3in) in diameter. They are made up of several hundred pink buds that open into white-ivory star-shaped flowers. This flowering takes place in July and is much appreciated by pollinators. The foliage consists of 4 to 10 wide basal leaves with a green-greyish colour. It yellows and disappears at the same time as the flowering appears, which is a good adaptation to hot and dry summer conditions.

Easy to grow, Allium 'White Cloud' appreciates any type of moist but well-drained soil during its growing period, becoming dry in summer. It prefers a sunny location. It is perfect in beds or borders. It also works well in a container on a balcony or patio. The flowers will bring a unique touch to fresh and dried bouquets. Plant them in groups of 5 or 10 between ornamental grasses and perennials, or near roses or buddleias. For a spectacular sculptural effect, plant them with topiary boxwoods. This allium is perfect in a white garden, accompanied by shrubby wormwoods, cerastiums, or Stachys lanata.

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