We all know the phrase “April showers bring May flowers.” While we experienced an unusually dry stretch this spring, I’m happy to report that our blooms seem to be right on track. The gardens never cease to amaze me.
This time of year, I especially love seeing the alliums beginning to pop along the path to the restaurant and tucked into Jenny’s Garden. Their tall, slender stems topped with perfectly round spheres feel almost architectural — like nature’s exclamation points rising above the beds.
Alliums are part of the onion family (yes — onions, garlic, chives!), but their ornamental varieties are grown purely for beauty. Originating across Europe and Asia, they’ve long been treasured in formal gardens for their structure, whimsy, and ability to float above lower plantings without overwhelming them. Their globe-shaped blooms add height and rhythm, and they pair beautifully with softer perennials and spring greens.
Beyond their sculptural charm, alliums are also wonderfully practical — deer resistant and beloved by pollinators. Bees seem to gravitate toward them, adding even more life to the garden beds.
There’s something joyful about seeing those purple orbs appear each year. They feel celebratory — a quiet signal that spring has truly arrived. If you’re strolling through the Village, take a moment to look up along the pathways. They’re hard to miss, and even harder not to smile at.
