Allium scorodoprasum Passion

Allium scorodoprasum 'Passion' is a beautifully coloured ornamental garlic, still rare in cultivation and unknown to gardeners. The inflorescences could be described as "rocambolesque": they are imperfect, even slightly anarchic, clusters of small purple bulblets mixed with star-shaped red flowers, whose stalks lengthen when fertilised. This hardy bulb develops a strong stem that allows the umbel to withstand the wind, like tall grasses. A charming and original cut flower, it is vigorous and long-lasting in well-drained, sunny soils. 

Native to central Europe, especially the Caucasus, Allium scorodoprasum is the wild form of rocambole garlic. It naturally grows in often sandy soils. It is a bulbous plant that prefers light and rather dry soil, with a basic (calcium-rich) and clayey tendency, poor in organic matter (humus, compost).

'Passion', recently introduced from the Netherlands, bears inflorescences perched at about 1.1m (4ft) in height, on spiralled stems in their upper part. They are globular clusters surrounded by membranous bracts, made up of initially green bulblets that turn purple, and small star-shaped flowers that are mauve on the outside, ruby red on the inside. This flowering occurs between June and July. The foliage consists of 4 to 6 basal, tubular leaves with a strong sulphur smell. It yellows and disappears at the same time as the flowering appears, which is a good adaptation to hot and dry summer conditions. This plant produces few seeds and mainly reproduces through the dissemination of bulblets produced on the umbel.

Quite easy to grow, Allium 'Passion' appreciate any type of moist but well-drained soil during the 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 tall and light perennials like fennel, or near roses or yellow brooms. It will have a beautiful effect in a flower meadow, in the company of poppies, poppy anemones, cornflowers, and centaureas. For a spectacular sculptural effect, plant them with topiary boxwood balls. This edible garlic can also be planted in the vegetable garden.

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.