(Synonyms A. bulgaricum, A. siculum)
Just the thing for the water-saving garden, this carefree Allium, familiarly known as Sicilian Honey Garlic, shoots up 2½ to 3 feet tall and erupts into a dozen or more colorful blooms in the sun-soaked garden! The flowers are distinctive, too -- with a greenish-white base and heavy maroon markings, they resemble that winter-blooming favorite, the Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis).
A native of southern France and Sicily, this heirloom bulb has been a treasured feature of European gardens for centuries, and a single planting will convince you that it needs a permanent home in your landscape, too. The large flower clusters arch elegantly atop very strong stems, sending the starry blooms cascading down and out for an eye-catching effect.
The flowers have an unusual fragrance, pungent rather than sweet. Very long-lasting, they will dry out on the plant, maturing to a papery consistency you will love. This plant is virtually carefree and needs very little summer moisture, so give it a sunny spot and enjoy! Zones 4-9.
