Allium cultorum Serendipity

Allium 'Serendipity' is a charming ornamental garlic with an abundance of flowers in summer. It boasts balls of electric violet-pink flowers. Compact, it develops into a dense clump of long upright leaves in a bluish-green colour. The flowering lasts all summer, animated by a constant buzz of pollinating insects. It thrives in the sun, in ordinary but well-drained soil. It is simply splendid as a border plant or in a flower bed, but also works well in a rock garden or in a container on a patio. Its long-lasting flowers are perfect in bouquets, both fresh or dried.

Allium 'Serendipity' is a hybrid variety of ornamental garlic whose lineage is a bit obscure, with some sources linking it to A. senescens and others to A. cernuum. They all belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and are cousins of garlic and leeks, with which they share a characteristic odour in their foliage when crushed.

The 'Serendipity' cultivar develops in spring from a bulbous rhizome that forms a small clump of upright, relatively thin, linear leaves in a bluish-green colour. It reaches a height of about 45cm (18in) with a width of 30cm (12in). The flowering takes place from June-July to August-September. Flowering stems measuring 40cm (16in) in height emerge from the centre of the clumps. They each bear a solitary spherical inflorescence measuring about 5cm (2in) in diameter. The inflorescence is composed of numerous tiny star-shaped flowers in a beautiful vibrant pink-violet colour. They are nectar-rich and attractive to bees. The deciduous foliage dries up in October.

Planted en masse along a pathway, in a rock garden, as a border plant, or combined with flowers in shades of purple, pink, and blue, this 'Serendipity' garlic is a gem for romantic flower beds. It pairs well with catmints, bellflowers, and agastaches. In an unusual flower and vegetable bed, it can be accompanied by chives, over-ripe chard with colourful stalks, Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum', purple basil, and many others. For a more dynamic effect, its flowers can structure a contemporary garden where various geometric shapes contrast. It can also be combined with stipa, landscape roses, and trimmed boxwoods.

In short, there is no lack of inspiration where these plants are concerned. There is certainly a corner of your garden where this allium will work wonders.