Though undoubtedly tall, vinculum is also both slender and graceful and is very happy in sun or partial shade so long as the soil is neither dry nor waterlogged. Though strictly no longer called an allium, vinculum is of the same family and grows from a similar rounded bulb and in most bulb categories will be found in this section. The name is derived from Greek nectar, which refers to its large ovaries, and cordon, which reflects the fact that the whole plant smells of garlic when crushed.

It comes from France and Italy where it is known as the Sicilian honey garlic. Its flower stems reach up to 1.2 meter, producing bell shaped flowers suitable for an informal cottage style of border. They are creamy white, flushed with pink and dark red, with green at the base, creating a charming combination of subtle colors. Like many alliums, it is much of favored by bees.

After their visit, the seedpods become erect making this a most distinctive plant both before and after flowering. By contrast, many alliums are much shorter and are either suitable for growing in containers where their scale is matched, or at the front of an herbaceous border where they are not dwarfed by taller more vigorous plants. They are also a bonus in the modern garden, mulched by gravel, granite chippings or slate.

Here they can live close to the path, either alone or in partnership with others. Alliums bears pretty pink flowers about 12 inches high, although can be taller, its leaves are erect and though not particularly attractive, are not untidy either. Good planting partners are later flowering herbaceous plants such as pink Echinacea, which will then fill the gap after the allium has finished its main display.