Allium caesium

Allium caesium is a superb ornamental plant with blue flowers that blooms in the wild in dry meadows and desert regions of Central Asia to Siberia. In late spring, this beautiful botanical species forms large spherical umbels of varying blue shades, turning grey over time. It is highly popular with butterflies. Fabulous in contemporary or natural-inspired compositions with valerian, thistles, and grasses, this bulbous plant thrives in well-draining and light soils, even when dry in summer. Its flowers are magnificent in dry or fresh bouquets. 

Allium caesium belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, just like leeks, onions, and garlic in our vegetable gardens. It is a hardy botanical species (-15°C (5°F)), and is relatively easy to grow in any well-drained soil that does not retain too much moisture. Its inflorescences resemble those of A. caeruleum, but they are larger. The vegetation emerges from the ground in spring, and the floral stems reach an average height of 45cm (18in). This plant spreads on the ground by multiplying bulbs. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of 10cm (4in) diameter umbels. Each umbel is composed of small star-shaped flowers with 6 petals. They are sky-blue with a white base and a central indigo blue vein. There are indigo blue anthers in the centre of these small flowers. Very durable, the umbels mature to a lavender-grey colour in the garden and in vases. After fertilisation by pollinating insects, they produce capsules that remain decorative for a long time. The foliage consists of long, simple, basal, linear leaves with parallel veins. The leaves disappear shortly after flowering. The plant survives summer and winter in the form of bulbs. 

Plant Allium caesium in a contemporary or rustic flower bed, especially in a dry garden. It will express its full potential in large groups of at least 10 to 15 bulbs. Plant it with white, mauve, pink, or red valerian, Verbena 'Buenos Aires', and shrubby wormwood. Alternatively, use it as a border plant behind a row of boxwood balls or germander that are well pruned. It can also be planted along a wall or pathway, or in isolated clumps in the midst of creeping bugle, ensuring a decorative effect. It works well in beautiful pots. It can be used in bouquets: to reduce the alliaceous scent of the flowers, you can add a drop of bleach to the vase water or change the water regularly.