4 tips on what to combine ornamental garlic with

It stands out with its strikingly large, spherical flower heads, most often in purple. Ornamental garlic is becoming increasingly popular in Czech gardens. Once the plant starts flowering, its leaves die back and begin to look unsightly. That is why it is a good idea to plant other perennials among it, which will hide the leaves and let only the flowers stand out.

1. Iris

So what is the ideal companion for ornamental garlic? Try iris! It is a richly flowering plant that will show off almost any garden. Siberian irises, for example, have slender, upright, attractive grey-green leaves that keep their vertical form long after flowering. They have the same decorative qualities as clumps of ornamental grass. Definitely leave them in the bed over winter. Another advantage is that they grow up to 130 cm tall, have delicate or fine flowers, and mature plants form full clumps. If you are creating a Japanese garden, you will be interested in the Japanese iris. Its flowers tend to be the largest, commonly reaching 20 cm in diameter. They flower in white, blue, violet, purple or pink. They need a sunny position and winter protection, and they also require plenty of watering. With the help of iris, whatever the type, ornamental garlic is sure to look beautiful.

2. Hosta

Ornamental garlic deserves something unusual yet rewarding. Hosta (bohyška) is the right choice. They also need minimal care, so do not hesitate to plant them alongside other perennials or in places that do not get direct sun. Their great advantage is that they can last as long as 10 years, reaching their full beauty roughly in the third year after planting. Diseases are not much of a threat either, although slugs are often fond of them. They will not kill the plant, but the holes chewed in the leaves do not look attractive. Hostas are at their most beautiful in summer, when the leaves unfurl and the flowers appear. It also matters which varieties you have, because some tolerate partial shade better than others. For example, yellow-leaved and white variegated varieties will not colour up in permanent shade and will stay green, so give them a few hours of light every day.

3. Butterfly bush

It originally comes from China and really suits ornamental garlic. In favourable conditions it grows well, reaching up to three metres in open spaces. Its branches bend at the tips under the weight of its beautiful pink flowers. It flowers from the end of July to September. It is very popular with butterflies, as well as bees and bumblebees. These beautiful shrubs are more demanding to grow, but you do not need to worry about diseases or pests. Choose a warm, sunny spot for them. It also needs protection from winter. Heap a 20 cm high mound of compost around the base of the shrub, which should prevent the buds at the root collar from being damaged. Another advantage is that the root system does not reach very deep, so young shrubs are very easy to transplant.

4. Russian sage

They look very much like lavender, but they are low-maintenance and flower profusely. They also have a different scent, reminiscent of sage. Try it with ornamental garlic too, as the two will complement each other in colour as well. To grow it, you need a sunny position with free-draining soil. Plant it in early spring or in September. Another advantage is that you can place it in rock gardens or on slopes. In spring, do not be afraid to cut it back hard. This will give it more buds, and you will be able to enjoy more flowers. As we have already mentioned, it is a kind of Russian lavender, but it flowers after lavender has finished. So you will get to enjoy a blue bed for longer.

Almost anything goes well with ornamental garlic. Do not shy away from perennials, conifers or aloe vera. You can also try a miracle elixir made from oregano.