Allium Portuguese Allium

A beauty with narrow, mid green stems of foliage and an abundant showing of lilac purple flowers through summer. In moderate climates they can remain evergreen.

A nice choice for a rockery, garden edge or mixed border. The blue-green, or glaucus foliage twists and turns adding to its charm.

Alliums are tough, hardy, and beautiful too! As members of the onion family, their bruised, or crushed foliage smells just like onions. It is edible but not as flavourful as the real thing. The petals are a great way to jazz up a salad.

Plant into a well drained soil in a sunny position. They need at least six hours of sun and a warm spot in the garden in order to thrive. Plant to a depth of around 10cm. They grow well in moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soils and are dry tolerant once established.

Allium lusitanicum bulbs are best left to naturalise; lifting and dividing them only as they become overcrowded. This means you can relax and leave them in the ground year after year and simply enjoy the late spring flowers. For best blooms, add a well balanced fertiliser in summer.

It is a good idea to protect the foliage from slugs and snails.

Allium lusitanicum was previously known as Allium senescens ssp. montanum. Common names include Portuguese Allium, German Garlic, Corkscrew Onion and Curly Chives.