Allium nutans 'Isabelle'

Blue/Siberian Chives  Amaryllidaceae

A particularly pretty, smaller selection of the Siberian Allium nutans, forming a neat clump of broad, blue-grey foliage which twists gently as it develops. In summer the nodding flower stems carry rounded heads of very pale pinkish-white flowers, sometimes with a delicate rosy blush. The combination of twisted foliage and almost-white flowers gives ‘Isabelle’ a rather softer appearance than the darker-flowered ‘Esmee’.

‘Isabelle’ is described as smaller in all respects than ‘Caroline’, with lower foliage and flower stems little more than half a metre. The pale flowers can appear almost cream-white, with a subtle pink suffusion — understated, but rather lovely. 

The cultivar is only known in cultivation, rather than representing a wild-collected geographical form. No reliable published source has been found attributing its original selection or introduction to a particular individual, so we are resisting the temptation to give an onion an imaginary birth certificate.

The edible foliage has the mild onion flavour characteristic of A. nutans, making it useful both as a culinary perennial and an ornamental. The flowers are also attractive to bees and other pollinating insects. 

Height: 40–60 cm
Spread: 25–35 cm
Flowers: June–September
Position: Full sun
Soil: Moist but well-drained; adaptable to loam, clay or sandy soils
Hardiness: H7
Propagation: Division

A charming, relatively compact Siberian chive with twisty blue-grey leaves and clouds of pale pink-white flowers. If ‘Esmee’ is the glamorous sister, ‘Isabelle’ is the one who sensibly brought a cardigan.