Allium angulosum

Allium angulosum (synonyms A. acutangulum, A. angulare), commonly known as mouse garlic, is a botanical species found in marshes and wet meadows. It is now endangered and protected. It is characterised by broad upright leaves, an angular stem, and spherical umbels of soft lilac-pink flowers. Its summer flowering is highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. Like all garlic species, its foliage can be used as a condiment, and its flowers are very pretty in a vase. Make room for this beautiful bulbous plant in your garden!

Allium angulosum belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a hardy botanical species that is relatively easy to grow in any rich soil that does not dry out too much, and can even tolerate occasional flooding. This botanical species is native to central and northern Europe, the Caucasus, and Siberia. It is in sharp decline due to the fragility of its habitat, consisting of regularly flooded meadows and riverbanks. Its species name, angulosum, refers to the shape of its stem and the base of its leaves, which are slightly angular.

Allium angulosum is a perennial plant that reaches a height of 30 to 60cm (12 to 24in), with a horizontal rhizome that produces elongated bulbs with membranous tunics. It produces abundant foliage in spring and forms beautiful clumps. Its linear leaves are 3 to 5mm wide, with 5 parallel veins and a glossy green colour. The vegetation emerges from the ground in spring, and the flowering stems reach an average height of 45cm (18in). This plant spreads on the ground through bulb multiplication. It blooms between June and August, with umbels measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. Each umbel is composed of numerous small flowers with 6 pastel pink petals. Dark anthers are present in the centre of these small flowers. The umbels mature to a white-pink colour in the garden and in a vase. After fertilisation by pollinating insects, they produce capsules containing seeds. The leaves disappear shortly after flowering. The plant survives the summer and winter in bulb form. The flowers, leaves, and bulbs with a garlic flavour are edible.

Use Allium angulosum in a wildflower bed or a small meadow, or even on the edge of a water feature. It is a robust species that is not very demanding as long as it has enough water during its growth and flowering periods. It expresses its full potential when planted in large groups of at least 10 to 15 bulbs. To accompany it, choose field flowers such as blue cornflowers, river thistles, or ragged robin, for example. When planted in isolated clumps amidst grasses such as pennisetum, carex, or tufted hairgrass, the decorative effect of this plant is guaranteed. It can also be planted in beautiful containers. It can also be used in bouquets: to reduce the garlicky scent of the flowers, you can add a drop of bleach to the water in the vase or change the water regularly.