Essential onions
Gardening is as prone to the whims of fashion as much as any other aspect of life. One genus that has become incredibly popular in recent years are the ornamental onions. Of course, what makes an onion ornamental rather than a vegetable is very much a matter of opinion and while some of the big globe onions are definitely for the ‘pleasure garden’ rather than the pot, mainly because of their frightening cost, others are definitely dual purpose. When common chives is in bloom I find it hard not to love it as much for its flowers as the bees do. And although I know three-cornered leek (Allium triquetrum) is a terrible weed I often ponder about taking some from a hedge to put in the garden – it is not truly native so I don’t think I would get into trouble and I would only take a few bulbs.
As the public have fallen in love with alliums so nurseries, and plant breeders, have worked hard to satiate our desire for new and more varieties. Now I accept that some of these innovators were working hard long before we all wanted the things in our gardens because it takes many years, if not decades, before a new seedling becomes a plant that is available and affordable in a catalogue.
And as soon as one of these innovations becomes popular it is followed by a slew of ‘wannabes’ that muddy the water. Just look at all the ‘also’ Surfinias and masses of coloured heucheras.
For several years I have had ‘Millenium’, a good, hardy all-rounder, probably bred from the Siberian A. nutans. It was heavily promoted when introduced and is a decent enough plant. It was voted Perennial Plant of the Year in the USA in 2018. It is hardy and forms a clump of dense rhizomes rather than bulbs and, unlike most bulbous alliums the leaves are not a disgrace at flowering time. In fact it flowers later than most bulbous types and is in bloom now, with attractive, linear leaves. I thought it was sterile but it did self seed but I foolishly forgot about them when I was weeding and they were hoed off when I was clearing the lawn edges – why do things have to self seed right against the grass! I hope there will be more and I will grow on the seedlings and see what they are like.
There are lots of new variations on this useful plant, including ‘Lavender Bubbles’ and ‘Summer Beauty’. I am not sure I need all of them but they are all good edging plants and are loved by bees and butterflies.
I need to divide and move mine, as you can see, as it is rather swamped by the carex. Another job for next spring.
The Biking Gardener 
Fads are annoying. I always liked chive bloom, but was told that it is a weed. Who got to decide that it should become trendy? Where I lived in town, I tried to portray a few vegetable plants as ornamentals, but neighbors disliked it. For example, I grew a tuft of dent corn in the front garden as an ornamental grass. So, . . . so-called ‘cottage’ gardens are cool, but growing vegetables in the front garden is not?! I do not get it.
I bet if Martha Stewart had grown it in her flower beds it would have become a trend! It is annoying when it is not what you do buy who does it. But stick to your guns and plough your own furrow! that’s enough phrases for now – two in one sentence!
Like you I love my chive flowers as well as for its culinary use. They are much admired As I have many self seeded marigolds in the same area and the colours compliment very well. Other ornamental Alliums I have been most unsuccessful with which is a mystery to me as I woUld have thought that my light sandy soil would be just the thing for them . I’ve largely given up on them. HOWEVER, A. triquestrium is another matter altogether- please don’t plant in your garden Geoff, even the outer limits. Long story but it pops up all over the place. I threw a few on the lane and now it’s right down the length of it – don’t tell the neighbours! It spreads at an alarming rate.
Do not worry – I doubt that I will actually bring Allium triquetrum into the garden. I am not sure why the others do so badly for you. They are pretty good with me and I am so wet in winter.We just have to keep trying.