In a vase on Monday – Suddenly it’s summer!

I have been away from the garden; first to go bird.watching on an island off the coast between Rome and Naples where migrating birds stop to feed after their long flights from Africa.  Then with only two days at home between, I went to Amsterdam for 4 days to see the tulips!  After just those few days away the garden looks like I’ve been away a month!  After all the spring rain the weather changed completely just as we left home the first time so with temperatures way up in the 20’s° C EVERYTHING has grown!

Alliums and …..

I love Alliums for their structure.  When some are dry, I save them to use as decorations at Christmas, sometimes I even spay them gold to add to garlands.

Alliums need more water than I had imagined so this year with winter and spring being so wet this year my alliums are thriving.

Most Alliums tend to lose their foliage before their flowers appear which can mean they look a little strange with just the flowering stem coming out of the earth.  For this reason I like to associate them with other plants, I especially like them growing through low growing ground cover.

Allium Christophii the first metalic flowers opening

The above still has its foliage but as the flower opens the foliage always dies back.

Allium Christophii with Cotinus, I like the way the flower appears to be part of the cotinus

Allium Christophii with Iris ‘Before the Storm’ and Cotinus

Allium Christophii with Allium Atropurpureum in the foreground

Allium Christophii with Cistus Silver Pink

Allium Christophii

Allium Christophii with visiting insect

Allium Christophii with foliage of Tulip Negrita

Just opening Allium Christophii with Dianthus and Iris Rustic Jewel Large Island

What do you plant with your Allium Christophii?

Allium Purple Sensation in a pot on the terrace

Just emerging Allium Karataviense

Allium Karataviense, the exception this has lovely purple edged foliage

Allium nectaroscordum, I didn’t notice the unwelcome visitor until I viewed the image!

Allium Roseum with Rose Scepter’d Isle

Allium Roseum are actually native here and people are surprised I bought them for the garden

I like the way Allium Roseum opens from its papery wrapping

Allium Schubertii

Allium Schubertii, just one from an origional 10 planted in autumn 2009 with Euphorbia myrsinites

Allium Schubertii