Allium angulosum

Known as mouse garlic, Allium angulosum is a summer-flowering allium, bearing umbels of pale lilac blooms which darken to purple as they mature. Like all alliums, the flowers are very attractive to pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hoverflies. The small, slender bulbs are edible and can be salted for winter use either raw or cooked.

Grow Allium angulosum in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Feed with a high potash solution after flowering and allow the leaves to die down naturally. Like all alliums, the spent flowers take on an architectural beauty into autumn and winter, so leave these in situ if you can.