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Allium siculum

Sicilian honey garlic

Amaryllidaceae Central Mediterranean

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Allium siculum, also listed as Nectaroscordum siculum, is a bulbous perennial in the amaryllis family, sending up a stout flowering stem 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) tall from a rounded bulb. The basal leaves are narrow, keeled, and twisted, 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) long, with an onion-garlic scent when bruised, and they wither as the flowers open. In late spring a loose umbel of 10-30 pendent, bell-shaped flowers opens at the stem tip; each flower is 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) long, cream flushed with maroon-red and green and tinged pink at the base. After flowering the individual stalks turn upward, holding erect, beaked seed capsules that dry to pale brown. The bulb offsets slowly into a clump and self-seeds where conditions suit. Foliage dies back by midsummer, leaving the seed heads on bare stems.

Native Range

Native to the central Mediterranean and surrounding regions, including Sicily, southern France, Italy, the Balkans, and Turkey. Grows in damp woodland, scrub, and shaded banks on moist but well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted in mixed borders, woodland edges, and gravel gardens at 8-10 inch (20-25 cm) spacing and 4 inch (10 cm) depth. Flower and seed stems are used in fresh and dried arrangements. Free self-seeding can produce seedlings throughout a border.

How to Identify

Identified by loose umbels of pendent, bell-shaped flowers, cream flushed with maroon-red, green, and pink, on stems 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) tall. After bloom the flower stalks bend upward to hold erect, beaked seed capsules. Twisted, keeled leaves carry an onion-garlic scent, separating the plant from bell-flowered bulbs such as Fritillaria spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 4'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers from late May into June, with bloom lasting about 2-3 weeks. As flowering ends the stalks turn upright and the green seed capsules dry to pale brown, holding their form into late summer. Foliage yellows during the bloom period.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream flushed maroon, green, and pink

Foliage Description

Grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil with shelter from strong wind, which can topple the tall stems. Tolerates a range of soils but rots in waterlogged ground over winter. Water during spring growth in dry spells, then let the soil dry as the bulb goes dormant in summer. Self-seeds freely, producing seedlings that flower in their third or fourth year. Bulbs multiply slowly and can be lifted and divided in late summer. Foliage dies back by midsummer and the plant is dormant until the following spring.

Pruning

Remove flower stems at the base after the seed heads fade to limit self-seeding, or leave them for dried arrangements. Allow foliage to die back naturally to feed the bulb. No other pruning is needed.

Pruning Schedule

summer