Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Medusa Ornamental Onion: Twisting Leaves and Late Amethyst Globes
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Medusa ornamental onion is named for its snaky foliage: stiff, narrow, gray-green blades that twist lengthwise and curl toward their tips, forming a low, loose swirl. In late summer, flower stems rise with nodding, curled buds that look like little serpent heads, then straighten and open into rounded, 2-inch clusters of tiny starry florets in light amethyst purple.
It is a fun plant, the kind visitors to your garden will want to touch, and it is tough as nails in a sunny, well-drained spot.
Medusa at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Allium 'Medusa' |
| Flowers | Light amethyst purple globes, 1.75 to 2 inches |
| Foliage | Narrow, twisting, gray-green; onion scented when crushed |
| Size | 20 to 24 inches tall in bloom, about 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to mid-August |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for bees and butterflies; deer and rabbits avoid it |
Texture and timing with lavender
Medusa grows happily in the same sunny, lean, well-drained spots as lavender, so it is an easy addition to a lavender bed. Its gray-green, twisting leaves echo lavender's gray foliage while adding a completely different texture, and the amethyst globes are close enough to lavender's color to look planned. Best of all, it blooms in August, after lavender's first flush, when bees are still looking for food.
Plant it in front of or between lavender groups, where the low swirl of leaves can be seen. Try it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: lean to average and well drained. Soggy soil in wet summers can rot the rhizomes.
- Water: to establish, then rarely. It is very heat and drought tolerant.
- After bloom: leave the seed heads for interest or deadhead to limit seedlings.
- Cleanup: leave the foliage until it yellows, then cut back in late fall or early spring. No mulch needed.
- Dividing: clumps can be divided in spring every few years.
For bouquets, fresh or dried
Medusa is rated good for both cut and dried flowers. Cut the globes when most florets are open. They dry well hung upside down, and a few small amethyst balls tucked into a dried lavender bundle add a round shape among the spikes. The flowers are lightly scented; the stems smell of onion when cut, which fades once dried. The Cut Flower Planner has more cutting ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat it like chives?
No. Medusa is grown as an ornamental and is not recommended for eating, even though the leaves smell of onion.
Do the leaves stay twisted all season?
Yes. The twisting is a trait of the plant, and the foliage stays tidy through summer in full sun.
How is it sold?
As a bare root plant. See the product page for current availability.
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