Description

Allium – Onion

There are about 700 species of bulbous perennials and biennials, in this genus. Native to temperate regions in the northern Hemisphere and Western and Central Asia.  A single bulb produces clusters of off sets bulbs around it, which gradually forms clumps and range in height from 4” to 5’ feet tall.  They bear bell, star, cup, and spherical, sometimes hemispherical or ovoid occasionally pendent ½-12” wide flower heads.  The linear to strap shaped basal or stem-clasping leaves when bruised or cut excrete onion smell.  They bloom in spring and autumn and some species are edible and have culinary uses.  Contact with bulb may irritate skin. They prefer to grow in open sunny position in fertile well-drained, weed free soil. Prone to onion fly, stem eelworm, rust, onion white rot, bulb rots, White rot, mildew, smut and various fungal leaf spots thrips. Allium triquetrum – Three-cornered Leek – Three cornered Garlic – This bulbous perennial forms dense clump and is native to the Mediterranean region and has 10-18” tall triangular stems.  Its produces flattish grooved soft green leaves.  It bears 1 ½-3” small umbels of gracefully drooping ¾” white striped green down the middle bell shaped flowers in spring and early summer.  It can become a nuisance. Zones 7-10