Allium Millenium

The Allium 'Millenium' is an ornamental garlic that stands out from usual varieties with its compact and dense clump development, much like agapanthus. Unlike most other varieties, its foliage does not disappear either before or during flowering, but remains ornamental until the end of summer. With its bright green, well-filled leaves, it forms an elegant backdrop for its numerous deep pink inflorescences. These bloom above the beautiful vegetation, for almost two months in summer, attracting a constant stream of pollinating insects. No more difficult to grow than a perennial, it thrives in the sun, in ordinary but well-draining soil. It is simply spectacular in a border or a bed, but also in a container on the terrace. And its flowers are long-lasting in bouquets, fresh or dried.

Allium 'Millenium' is a recently obtained hybrid ornamental garlic variety by American breeder Mark McDonough. Its lineage is unknown, but likely includes the Siberian species Allium nutans, which has more rhizomatous than purely bulbous growth, with a summer flowering in pink and wide strap-like foliage. All these plants belong to the Alliaceae family, they are cousins of garlic and leeks, with which they share a characteristic odor in their foliage, perceptible when crushed.

The 'Millenium' cultivar develops in spring from a bulbous rhizome that forms a very beautiful clump of upright, fairly thin, linear, glossy, bright green leaves. It reaches about 30 cm (12in) in height and spreads laterally by its slightly suckering rhizome, at least 50 cm (20in). Flowering takes place in July-August in average climates, lasting about 4 weeks. From the centre of the clumps emerge 50 cm (20in) tall stems, each bearing a solitary spherical inflorescence about 5 cm (2in) in diameter. The inflorescence is composed of numerous tiny star-shaped flowers in deep pink, nectar-rich and attractive to bees.

Planted en masse along a pathway or as a border for a bed, or even combined with perennials in shades of pink and blue, this perennial garlic 'Millenium' proves remarkable in a romantic mixed border. It accompanies daylilies, bellflowers, Agastaches etc. In an unusual bed mixing flowers and vegetables, it can be accompanied by chives, mature chards with coloured petioles, Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', purple basil, and many others. For a more "dynamic" effect, its flowers can structure a contemporary garden where different geometric shapes oppose each other. It can be combined with Stipa tenuissima, lavender, and cone-shaped trimmed boxwoods.

In short, ideas are not lacking, there is certainly a corner of your garden where this garlic will work wonders.