Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Flowering Chives

Description:

Interesting 2 inch lilac-pink globe flowers emerge from narrow strappy dark-green foliage; attracts butterflies; plant close together for a massed effect

Ornamental Features

Summer Beauty Allium features bold balls of lightly-scented pink flowers at the ends of the stems from early to late summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its fragrant sword-like leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Summer Beauty Allium is an open herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Summer Beauty Allium is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Herb Gardens

Planting & Growing

Summer Beauty Allium will grow to be about 15 inches tall at maturity extending to 20 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 8 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.