Family: Amaryllidaceae
Common name: German garlic, Mountain garlic, Corkscrew onion, Aging chive, Flowering onion, Cowlick onion, Broadleaf chives, Spiral onion, Circle chives, Curly chives
German garlic is a captivating perennial herb belonging to the Allium family, that includes all onions and garlic that are used for culinary and decorative purposes. Native to Europe and Asia, this plant is celebrated for its unique and attractive features, making it a favorite among gardeners and herbal enthusiasts.
German garlic plants have a charming low-growing habit, with a height ranging from 30-100 cm including its tall flowers. This compact size and beautiful rounded flowers make them an excellent choice for rock gardens, borders, and container planting. The plant forms tight clumps of slender, grass-like leaves that contribute to its overall aesthetic appeal.
The leaves of German garlic are narrow and linear, growing to a length of 15 to 30 cm. The leaves are blue-green in color, arising from the base of the plant, and are known for their ability to persist throughout the growing season, maintaining their attractive appearance.
One of the highlights of the German garlic plant is its charming, globe-like flower clusters that emerge on sturdy stems. The individual flowers are small, with a diameter of approximately 1 to 2 cm.
These flowers come in shades of pale pink, lavender, white, blue, purple, light yellow, or lilac, creating a delicate and pleasing contrast against the backdrop of the foliage. The blooming period typically occurs during the summer months, attracting pollinators and adding a burst of color to the garden.
German garlic plants also produce small, spherical seed capsules that contain the plant’s seeds. These capsules eventually split open to release the seeds, aiding in the plant’s natural propagation. While the fruiting phase is not as visually showy as the flowering stage, it plays a crucial role in the plant’s life cycle and its potential to spread.
These plants thrive in full sunlight to partial shade. Ensure it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth and flowering. While this plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during its initial growth phase is crucial.
Water deeply and allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions. Deadheading the spent flowers can encourage additional blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. German garlic plants don’t require heavy fertilization. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring can provide sufficient nutrients for the growing season.
In addition to its ornamental value, German garlic plants have a history of medicinal uses in traditional herbal practices because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some herbalists suggest that Allium species may aid in digestion and support immune function.
Propagation is through root division, seeds, or offsets. Divide established clumps every few years in the early spring or fall, ensuring each divided section has a portion of the roots and foliage for successful transplanting.
You can also collect mature seed capsules and allow them to dry. Once dry, extract the seeds and sow them in well-prepared soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs. Some varieties of German garlic can produce offsets—small bulb-like structures that form at the base of the plant. These offsets can be carefully detached and planted as individual plants.
