Aging Gracefully : Alliums

Daffodils and tulips are thrilling in bloom.
But after bloom, avert your eyes.

They look shabby as the flowers, stalks, and
foliage begin to ripen.  Horticulturally:  ripening
is the natural & necessary process that
enables a bulb to store up energy for a repeat
performance. Visually:  ripening is collapsing,
shriveling & yellowing of all plant parts.

Thus these bulbs are best used as annuals &
removed after bloom (tulips),  naturalized in the
distance (daffodils), or partnered with plants
that shelter them from view - or upstage them
completely - as they quickly age.

Meet the Allium (onion) family.  It has many
members, ranging from short, pale and low-key
to lofty, dramatic and richly colored.  Falling into
the latter category - & briefly introduced last week -
Allium "Globemaster" is among my favorites.

purple spheres

In full bloom, it is an eye-catching star of the show
that makes everything around it look better.
And after it blooms, it ages gracefully.

lime fireworks

The purple spheres age to lime green before
drying to tan. Yes, the leaves will yellow, but
they are close to the ground & can be disguised
by neighboring plants.  Yes, the allium needs
companions as it ages. Yes, you can absolutely cut
that tan flower right down if you don't like the looks of  it.

beginning to fade

But the stalk and flower head will retain their
shapely form, as they gradually become more
subdued in color.  In the context of a planted
scheme, they eventually make an uneventful exit.

full fade

I took the last 2 photos in a garden designed by Richard Hartlage.

A Spring Souffle - with Onions

Am I hungry? 

The word  "S O U F F L E"  comes to mind as I ponder this billowing spring garden.

Souffle  =   a combination of particular ingredients, an extended period of heat, a specified waiting period, the prospects of something wonderful worth waiting for, and ...after the wait...something rich and light and lofty.

Mother nature baked up this frothy picture.  Spring has transformed the flat earth, dormant perennials, twiggery of deciduous shrubs, and bare vines into something yummy.

Among the ingredients is the dramatic airborne globe-shaped purple flower,  the ornamental onion Allium "Globemaster."

Today a blizzard is blanketing the landscape in white, but in a few months we will once again be immersed in layers of green.

In the spirit of transformation of seasons & of landscapes, I offer some views of a project in which a very small area of neglected lawn was transformed into a lovely private setting which includes a pool, terrace, pergola & shower.

This pool area is adjacent to the garage which is accessed by the family driveway, all of which is located at the back of this property.  

The main entrance to the house has its own driveway on another street, thus keeping the central portion of this property free of vehicles. 

The garage was designed by J.P. Franzen Associates Architects.
 

Family driveway  :  before & after

Pool area from family driveway  : before & after .  The garage is to left.

Pool area from house  :  before & after

 

Poolside Life :
pergola, terrace, lawn, plantings,
shower, pool fence, gates & arbor