Triteleia Aquarius

Triteleia 'Aquarius' is part of a group of bulbous plants related to ornamental garlic, commonly called Brodiaea due to the botanical proximity of these two genera. 'Aquarius', with its umbel inflorescences of a very bright blue, somewhat resembles a small Agapanthus. Its inflorescence, somewhat loose, is composed of small, very double, and truly blue flowers, edged with midnight blue on the reverse. It blooms in late spring or early summer, above a clump of gramineous leaves that disappear more or less early in summer. Give it a place in a very sunny rockery for at least part of the day. Perfectly well-drained soil, even dry in late summer, is the secret to success with this unusual and charming plant.

Triteleia 'Aquarius' belongs to the allium family, just like garlic and onion. Triteleia and Brodiaea are bulbous plants native to the West Coast of the United States. Their foliage resembles a tuft of grass. It is not uncommon for it to turn yellow before flowering, which occurs in late spring. These bulbs thrive in light and well-drained soil, moist during the growing season, drier in late summer and early autumn. They are planted in autumn, like crocuses and tulips. While their cold resistance is respectable for most species (zones 4 to 7), it is preferable to protect them with a thick mulch in winter in colder regions.

The 'Aquarius' cultivar is a recent horticultural hybrid that will reach approximately 40-50cm (16-20in) in height when in bloom. Vegetation restarts in autumn in mild climates, and in spring everywhere else. The bulb produces a clump of thin, linear, and narrow leaves, of a vivid green. Flowering occurs in June-July, depending on the region, lasting for 3 to 4 weeks. From the slender, solid, rush-like stems, emerge the umbel-shaped inflorescence. Each umbel is composed of about ten small, double, star-shaped flowers, measuring 2 to 2.5cm (1in) in diameter. Their colour is an intermediate blue between ultramarine and blue-violet. The plant multiplies by producing bulb offsets.

Quite hardy, down to -10/-12°C in well-drained soil, grow Triteleia 'Aquarius' in full sun (or partial shade in very hot regions), in a rockery, or along the edge of a dry garden. It pairs well with catmints, Stipa, and Pennisetums. Thulbagia, small South African plants with corms, also relatives of garlic, with their small pink or violet flowers, as well as variegated Alstroemerias and Ixias, make good companions for Triteleia. Its umbels of blue flowers hold up well in bouquets.