Critter-proof perennial alliums are must-haves

The first time I saw ‘Summer Beauty’ allium I was mostly confused. I thought of alliums as the fall-planted, spring-blooming bulbs with large purple-ball flowers. But here was a short allium with glossy, strappy foliage and light pink flowers that bloomed in summer, which could be easily divided and was unbothered by deer and rabbits.

Eight years later, these summer blooming alliums have become invaluable plants in my garden and I’m constantly looking to add more. Distinctive from their spring-blooming cousins by their rhizomatous roots, these perennial garden plants have also drawn the attention of plant breeders, who continue to select new varieties.

Ease of care is certainly one reason alliums have achieved favored plant status among so many gardeners. All they ask is at least partial sun and reasonably good drainage and they will reward gardeners with a mass of ball-shaped flowers in colors from light pink to lavender to purple that bloom in mid to late summer and attract a cloud of pollinators. If left to stand in winter, the dried seedheads sit atop yellow stems and collect snow, creating little white snowcaps all while the hollow stems provide shelter to overwintering insects.

If it sounds like I’m waxing poetic about a plant that smells a bit like an Italian sub sandwich with extra onions, its because some new varieties have refreshed my love for them.

Varieties are generally distinguished by a few characteristics: height, bloom time, flower color, foliage color and habit and a propensity for reseeding.

‘Summer Beauty,’ which was selected and patented by plantsman Roy Diblik in 2015, is still among the most popular and one of the earlier blooming varieties. 

‘Millenium’ (the single “n” is a regrettable registered misspelling) has rosy purple flowers beginning in late July, darker foliage and a very upright habit. Although it’s one of my favorites, some gardeners report that it reseeds a bit too readily. ‘Serendipity’ is a well-mannered sport of ‘Millenium’ with bluer foliage.

‘Lavender Bubbles,’ which was a Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year runner up in 2021, is slightly shorter, a little less upright and features twisty glaucous foliage.

In recent years, taller varieties have started making their way to the market. Two of note are ‘Bobblehead’ and ‘Bubble Bath.’ The former has lighter pink 3-inch flowers with twistier glaucous foliage, and at up to 32 inches, it is slightly taller than the lavender-flowering ‘Bubble Bath.’ 

With dozens of excellent and readily available varieties, how is a gardener to choose one? I’d argue that there’s no need to choose. Alliums look good planted in large groupings with other perennials, but they also work well with each other, where the varying heights, colors and bloom times can extend the show. 

With their easy care, great looks and ability to work with so many other plants, perennial alliums should be on any list of must-have perennials. And they only smell like onions when their leaves are bruised.