German Garlic, Allium senescens ssp. glaucum

Overview

In late summer to early fall, the lilac-pink flowers of Allium senescens spp. glaucum begin to open. 

This plant has many common names, including German garlic, corkscrew onion, cowlick onion, spiral onion, circle chives, and curly chives. The species is native to a wide area from central Europe to Northern Asia (Siberia, China and Korea) and is hardy in zones 4a to 8b. Glaucum, a name applied to an extremely variable group of garden hybrids with glaucous, twisting foliage – and sometimes referred to as A. glaucum, A. spirale or A. lusitanicum – is more ornamental and later blooming than the species, but plants offered under this name can vary widely in the color and degree of spiraling of the foliage.

This small ornamental onion grows in dense clumps 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. Unlike other ornamental onions that are used primarily for their flowers, this species has very attractive foliage, too. Although the flowers are beautiful, it is the unique foliage that provides long-lasting interest in the garden. The gray to blue-green leaves look great all season long. They are linear, flat and twisted, giving a swirled or curled effect. This feature is most pronounced with the new growth early in the season. The clumps – composed of true bulbs on a rhizome – enlarge slowly and do not require frequent division.

The pink to lavender, cup-shaped flowers open from nodding buds in 1 to 2 inch wide umbels on wiry stems held high above the foliage.

The blooms are highly attractive to butterflies, bees and other insects. Deadhead the flowers before they form seeds to prevent possible unwanted self-seeding.

Landscape Use of German Garlic

Use A. senescens spp. glaucum as a specimen in a small garden, in masses at the front of borders, or edging on bed. This species is well suited to rock gardens, blooming when few other rock garden plants do. Looking somewhat like a low, succulent grass, it is great for adding texture in the perennial garden or mixed beds.  Combine it with plants with rounded, lobed leaves, such as geranium, Heuchera or Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla) for a nice contrast in shapes. With its neat clumps, it is also well-suited for a more formal garden, as an edging or for forming patterns with other plants.

A. senescens spp. glaucum grows best in full sun. Although it will grow in light shade, blooms will be sparse. It tolerates a wide range of soils, from fairly heavy clay to sandy loam. In nature, this species is found in dry, rocky places, so once established it is drought tolerant. It doesn’t have any serious insect or disease problems and is not bothered by deer.

How to Propagate German Garlic

Propagate by division of the clumps in early spring or fall. Although it can be grown from seed, the resulting plants may not have the same color or twisting pattern of the parent.

Recommended German Garlic Cultivars

Some named selections are available. These include:

• ‘Blue Eddy’ has a more compact habit (growing 4 to 10 inches tall and wide) and narrow, blue-gray swirls of foliage like small swirling eddies of water and lavender pink flowers. Developed by ornamental Allium breeder Mark McDonough.
• ‘Blue Twister’ features bright blue-green foliage and grows 12 to 18 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide. Long blooming, with lavender pink flowers.