Allium senescens 'Glaucum'

In my horticulture class we are watching a series of videos on perennial plants. Jim, our instructor says most people take horticultural classes because they like flowers, so it makes sense to discuss flowers. A few years ago an acquaintance (Petra) gave me three types of plants. I was not familiar with any of them. I planted all three in my vegetable garden because I did not know what type of plants these were, and if they would be invasive. Since I have had to move my vegetable garden, I had to move the only surviving plant. I moved it out of a vegetable bed and to an edging ornamental garden still in the vegetable garden. I noticed the roots had onions growing on them, but still I was not sure of the type of plant. Finally, in that video Jim showed this plant was identified! It is Allium senescens 'Glaucum', aka swirling allium. I probably have an email somewhere identifying the plants Petra gave me, but it just didn't click. Sometimes that happens-hopefully not just to me! Like I said in my introduction, I learn something new every day. Imagine growing a plant for several years and not knowing what it is called!

Swirling allium looks good year round with grayish foliage that is low growing. It blooms August through October or even November. The drought had no effect on this plant and this allium combines well with other perennials in the garden. It should be used as an edging plant. The flowers are useful in flower arrangements. I highly recommend it. It can grow in light shade-which is a must for my garden. I was able to make several new plants out of this one clump. It will slowly spread and does not get as big as its more famous cousins-drumstick alliums and allium gigantum (both of which I have discussed before).

Those pass-a-long plants are sometimes the best plants and surprises!

in the garden....