Allium Red Eye

Allium 'Red Eye' is a recent ornamental garlic. This beautiful novelty, similar to the 'Silver Spring' variety but more colourful, produces large flat umbels in spring, which appear pale-pink when viewed from a distance. They are composed of small white-cream flowers veined with cherry-red, surrounding a dark purple heart. These large fragrant flowers are stunning in the garden alongside dark tulips. They are also perfect for creating fresh or dried bouquets. 

'Red Eye' belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, just like leeks, onions, and garlic in our vegetable gardens. Its bulb produces wide, linear, green-grey leaves in spring, which are often still present during flowering, contrary to what is observed in most ornamental garlic. The flowering occurs in May/June. Rigid and sturdy stems, 60cm (24in) in height, carry the inflorescences, which are slightly flattened hemispherical umbels. These umbels measure approximately 10cm (4in) in diameter. They are made up of small star-shaped flowers with 6 white-cream petals. Each petal is traversed by a dark pink median line, diving into the purple-violet centre of the flower. This distribution of colours gives the inflorescence a silver-pink appearance. The flowers emit a sweet scent that attracts a large number of pollinating insects.

Like many garlics, Allium 'Red Eye' likes moist but well-drained soil during its growth period and adapts well to summer drought, which corresponds to the bulb's resting period. It thrives in very sunny beds and rockeries, as well as in a flower bed or a large pot on a patio. Its sculptural aspect and architectural habit bring a lot of personality to the garden. Use this irresistibly attractive ornamental garlic as a focal point in a contemporary or country-style bed, especially in a dry garden. It will express its full potential when planted in groups of at least 10 to 15 bulbs. For example, combine it with 'Black Hero' tulips, pink valerians, or purple scabious (Scabiosa atropurpurea). Plant it also alongside purple and white flowers: wallflowers, columbines, and knotweeds.

Allium pairs well with roses and chamomile in beds, or carrots and beets in the vegetable garden. It can repel aphids and other harmful insects. However, it seems to inhibit the growth of legumes. This plant is a poor companion for alfalfa and sainfoin, for example. Allium, like its relatives, is a medicinal plant.