Allium Species, Ornamental Onion, Mediterranean Bells, Sicilian Honey Lily, Sicilian Honey Garlic

Alliumsiculum

Family
Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Allium (AL-ee-um)
Species
siculum (SIK-yoo-lum)
Synonym
Nectaroscordum siculum
Nothoscordum siculum
Trigonea sicula
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Shiny/Glossy
Smooth
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Berkeley, California

Oak View, California

Andover, Connecticut

Sherman, Connecticut

Daytona Beach, Florida

Yulee, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Lithonia, Georgia

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Plainfield, Illinois

Princeton, Illinois

Howe, Indiana

Pacific Junction, Iowa

Barbourville, Kentucky

Hebron, Kentucky

Owensboro, Kentucky

Skowhegan, Maine

Waldoboro, Maine

Ijamsville, Maryland

Nottingham, Maryland

Pikesville, Maryland

Beverly, Massachusetts

Billerica, Massachusetts

Hinsdale, Massachusetts

Blissfield, Michigan

Ludington, Michigan

Three Rivers, Michigan

Bellevue, Nebraska

Munsonville, New Hampshire

Denville, New Jersey

Jamesburg, New Jersey

Binghamton, New York

Broadalbin, New York

Glen Cove, New York

Panama, New York

Southold, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Pembina, North Dakota

Cincinnati, Ohio(2 reports)

Dayton, Ohio

Grove City, Ohio

Marietta, Ohio

Sallisaw, Oklahoma

Lebanon, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

South Beach, Oregon

Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Osceola, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Warwick, Rhode Island

North Augusta, South Carolina

Knoxville, Tennessee

Conroe, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Richmond, Texas

Magna, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Castleton, Vermont

Blacksburg, Virginia

Artondale, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Port Townsend, Washington(2 reports)

Seattle, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

12
positives
7
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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G
G
Conroe, TX | April 2020 | positive

TX 8b- I love these Mediterranean Bells, they came up in my garden a couple of years ago and I fell in love! They're so unique and delica...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | November 2015 | positive

An easy plant. The flower colors are subtle, with a lot of green as well as dull pink.

As the flowers begin to fade, they ...Read More

P
(Zone 10a) | May 2014 | positive

Nectaroscordum siculum grew brilliantly for me in Norwich, UK but here in coastal central Portugal it does not seem to "self seed" so my ...Read More

H
Knoxville, TN | January 2014 | neutral

I found this unusual plant growing in one of the many gardens at Biltmore, in Asheville NC, in May 2013. I would have attached a pic, but...Read More

M
Overlea, MD | May 2013 | positive

Planted this bulb 2 years ago and it finally came up this year with beautiful bells, & very long stem. It grows fine in my shady Marylan...Read More

T
Cincinnati (Anderson Twp), OH (Zone 6a) | May 2013 | positive

My Mediterranean Bells came from VanEngelen's Bulbs a few years ago. They are rather delicate in stature, not as tall and stately as the...Read More

R
Warwick, RI (Zone 6b) | July 2012 | positive

Nectaroscordum Siculum is growing in our front garden. I only have one and forget about it until it starts shooting its way out of the gr...Read More

P
Bellefontaine, OH | June 2011 | positive

I could not remember planting this lovely flower and when it would come up and bloom in the early part of June here in Ohio, none of my g...Read More

M
Bellevue, NE | June 2011 | positive

These are not exceptionally pretty flowers/plants - but they are very unusual in appearance and scent. They definitely have an onion sme...Read More

D
Weaverville, NC | October 2010 | neutral

According to a post at Rob's Plants the leaves of the honey lily are apparantly dried and used as seasoning in Bulgaria. ...Read More

W
Magna, UT (Zone 7a) | July 2010 | positive

I have had mine for 4 years. The first year, they did need staking, but with each year, perhaps because of multiplication, they are self...Read More

K
K
Marietta, OH (Zone 6a) | May 2010 | positive

This was more of a mystery, than anything! I moved to Marietta OH over 2 yrs ago, planted Silver Mound (Artesima) in a small bed by the d...Read More

P
(Zone 1) | May 2010 | neutral

I planted these in a flower bed, they sprouted quickly, bloomed for about three days and then began wilting back. Mine didn't get anywher...Read More

G
Waldoboro, ME | July 2009 | positive

I'm still not sure of the correct name of this plant. So far I have Mediterranean Bells, Sicilian Honey Lily, Ornamental Onion, Sicilian ...Read More

V
(Zone 8a) | June 2008 | neutral

I planted 3 bulbs as an experiment and they grew. however, I don't like it because it flops. I won't yank it out, but it won't receive...Read More

S
S
Anne Arundel,, MD (Zone 7b) | June 2007 | neutral

My first year for these. Interesting twisty three sided foliage in early spring. Flowers were not showy to me, I would never have notic...Read More

L
Princeton, IL (Zone 5a) | June 2005 | neutral

I had a hard time finding this plant as it was a gift and I was told that the common name was Mediterranean Bells. It grew well in may g...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | May 2002 | positive

Dry flower stalks work well for plant stakes. They are as sturdy as bamboo.

Bulbs produce many offsets, so thinning sho...Read More

B
B
Baa
| September 2001 | neutral

Robust, bulbous perennial from Italy and France.

Has linear basal leaves up to 16 inches long.

Tall strong ...Read More

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