Allium 'Mount Everest'

Allium 'Mount Everest': Sculptural Elegance in Pure White

Allium ‘Mount Everest’ brings a sense of serene sophistication to the spring garden with tall, slender stems topped by large, snow-white spherical blooms. Standing at impressive heights of up to 120 cm, this ornamental onion offers a clean, architectural presence that contrasts beautifully with more traditional spring bulbs and early perennials. Its pure white, star-like florets form tightly packed globes that rise above the garden like glowing orbs, attracting bees and adding a luminous quality to borders, gravel gardens, and formal plantings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 100–120 cm
• Spread: 20–30 cm, with globes up to 15 cm across
• Flower Colour: Crisp white globe-shaped blooms with a luminous, starry effect
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Broad, strap-like green leaves that fade as flowering begins
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils; avoid heavy or waterlogged conditions

Uses and Benefits: 'Mount Everest' is ideal for bringing height, lightness, and sculptural contrast to sunny beds and borders. Its pure white blooms pair effortlessly with cooler palettes and soften intense tones, while also offering strong vertical punctuation in both traditional and contemporary designs. A magnet for bees and naturally deer resistant, it’s an outstanding performer in cut flower arrangements and dried displays. Use it in drifts or as a focal point to highlight transitions between spring bulbs and summer perennials.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Mount Everest' with Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue'—its lavender-blue flowers and low, mounded habit create a soft foundation beneath the upright allium stems. Add Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' for its tactile, silvery leaves that reflect light and echo the cooling tones of the white blooms. To introduce movement and carry structure into late summer, include Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation'—its vertical blue-green foliage and warm autumn hues provide lasting interest long after the alliums have faded.

Care Instructions: Plant bulbs in fall at a depth of 15–20 cm in well-drained soil. Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally after flowering to replenish the bulbs. Water during dry spells in spring, but avoid excessive moisture. Mask aging leaves with nearby perennials. Deadhead if desired, or leave dried flower heads standing for texture and seasonal interest.

History: Allium 'Mount Everest' is a cultivated selection of Allium stipitatum, chosen for its impressive height and crisp white bloom—a rarity among ornamental onions. Bred for garden use and introduced to the trade for its luminous presence and late-spring performance, it has become a designer favourite for sophisticated plantings that prioritize light, structure, and seasonal layering.

Final Thoughts: Allium 'Mount Everest' offers a breath of clarity and vertical grace in the spring garden. With its glowing orbs, architectural stature, and pollinator-friendly presence, it bridges seasons beautifully while elevating the mood of any sun-drenched planting. Plant it boldly, and let its luminous form rise above the rest.