Allium 'Mount Everest'
Common name: Ornamental Onion
Allium 'Mount Everest', named after the highest mountain in the world, is a white-flowered allium. It is a hybrid of Allium stipitatum and Allium hollandicum. A. 'Mount Everest' was produced by Langendjik Brothers in Holland. This allium blooms from late spring to early summer and is a very strong and long-lasting cut flower.
A. 'Mount Everest' has lovely, creamy white balls of star-shaped florets (up to 50) with lime green eyes. These spheres are about 10 centimetres (4 inches) in diameter. The thick, strap-like green leaves which die off during the peak of the flowering time are untidy looking and benefit from being hidden by summer flowering perennials.
A. 'Mount Everest' is a fairly low-maintenance plant that enjoys full sun and a well-draining soil. It has the typical oniony smell which keeps rodents and deer at a distance. A. 'Mount Everest' grows about 60-90 centimetres (24-36 inches) tall.
Allium 'Mount Everest' can be found in the White Garden, the Mediterranean Garden, and several other spots in VanDusen.
Text and photos by Kumi Sutcliffe