Purple balls on leafless stems that resist pests and drought? Ornamental garlic conquers gardens! This majestic plant does not need complicated procedures or expensive equipment, it just needs permeable soil and sun. It even looks great after flowering.
In late spring and early summer, the garden often goes through a period when the first spring bulbs bloom and the annuals are just getting ready for their main performance. However, it is at this time that a plant appears on the scene, which, with its shape and unusual color, can take the breath away of even experienced growers. In recent years, ornamental garlic has become a favorite of garden architects and lovers of beautifully landscaped grounds, primarily because it brings an additional dimension and geometric precision to flower beds, which in nature has a magical effect. Its purple, spherical inflorescence on a sturdy long stem looks a bit like a design object, but in fact it is one of the least demanding inhabitants of our gardens.
Honzík Lací shows us even more about growing this plant in a YouTube video:
It is an unpretentious plant
Growing this majestic plant requires no complicated procedures or expensive equipment, making it an ideal candidate for beginners. It is a good idea to store ornamental garlic bulbs in the ground during autumn, ideally from September to November, so that they have time to form a sufficiently resistant root system before the arrival of frost. The most important rule for a successful start is to choose a place with permeable soil and enough sunlight, because in permanently wet soil, the bulbs could start to rot even before they germinate. If we have a garden, it pays to pour a little sand or small gravel at the bottom of each hole, which will serve as a drainage layer.
Fights off garlic smell
What is fascinating about ornamental garlic is its ability to withstand most of the common garden problems that other flowers struggle with (unfortunately, often unsuccessfully). While tulips often end up as food for voles and delicate perennials are plagued by aphids, this one the plant has a natural defense in the form of a special aroma that reliably deters most pests. It’s garlic, so it smells like garlic. Let’s be honest, not everyone is comfortable with it – and luckily, pests are no exception.
Ideal for the modern gardener
Thanks to its natural resistance and the minimal need for watering after rooting, garlic ranks among the so-called non-waste plants that easily survive dry summers without major damage to their beauty. This feature predisposes it to reign supreme in modern natural plantings, where emphasis is placed on easy and time-saving maintenance and vegetation.
Leave the leaves in place
One of the few aesthetic challenges that this plant brings with it is the fact that its leaves begin to turn yellow and dry even when the flower is in full bloom. Many people then have the need to remove these unsightly parts, which is a big mistake. The plant still needs them to pump strength into next year’s bulbs – whether we like it or not. An experienced gardener will solve this minor deficiency by planting ornamental garlic among perennials with thick leaves, such as sage or cassava, which will elegantly camouflage the lower parts of the plant. The flower then gives the impression that it is floating above the sea of green, which only enhances the resulting effect.
It is beautiful in every phase
The story of purple balls is far from over when they finally bloom. Even when dry, the inflorescence maintains its perfect shape and can decorate the garden until the end of summer, or serve as a stylish element in dry arrangements in the interior. It is this longevity and ability to look good at every stage of the life cycle (which many women can envy) that makes ornamental garlic one of the most rewarding investments we can make for our garden. All you have to do is give it a bit of a sunny spot and it will reward us year after year with a show that hardly finds competition in the realm of flowers.
