Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Allium hollandicum Form
Allium sphaerocephalon Flower
Tulipa clusiana Form in bloom
Allium moly has some common insect problems:
Bulb Mites

Garlic Onion Allium moly

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AL-ee-um MOH-lee
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Lily leek is a bulb native to Europe in the Alliaceae (onion) family.  The genus name Allium comes from the Latin word for garlic. 

It grows 10 to 18 inches tall and blooms profusely with star shaped yellow flowers in a loose cluster from spring to early summer. The blue-green straplike leaves are attractive in the spring but die back in mid-summer. When the leaves are crushed they emit an onion-like fragrance.

Plant in average well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Lily leeks are adaptable to most soil types but prefer sandy loams. Protection from the afternoon sun is appreciated in hot summer areas. Once established they are quite drought tolerant.  Space these low maintenance bulbs 2 to 3 inches apart and 5 inches deep and they will quickly fill in an area with off-sets. They self-seed readily so deadhead the flowers if this is not desirable.  Lily leeks are resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits and can be planted near black walnut trees.

Use in naturalized areas en masse for best effect. They can also be used in the front of borders, along walkways, or near patios.  The showy yellow flowers attract butterflies which makes them a welcome addtion to a cottage, cutting garden, or rock garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems. Bulb mites can occur.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Allium.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#edible plant#perennial bulbs#yellow flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mass planting#fast growing#tunicated bulb#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#groundcover#naturalizes#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#border front#cool season vegetable#walkway planting#spring flowering bulbs#offsets plantlets#black walnut toxicity tolerant#patio#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#edible plant#perennial bulbs#yellow flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#mass planting#fast growing#tunicated bulb#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#groundcover#naturalizes#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#border front#cool season vegetable#walkway planting#spring flowering bulbs#offsets plantlets#black walnut toxicity tolerant#patio#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Allium
    Species:
    moly
    Family:
    Alliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    E. Spain to Italy, NW. Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer, rabbits, drought
    Edibility:
    Leaves, bulbs, and bulblets. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Star-shaped 1/2" flowers are small, 6-parted, and in a cluster at the top of a naked stem. Flowers have a slight garlic fragrance.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal blue-green flat leaves in pairs are up to 12 inches long and 2 inches wide with an onion-like fragrance.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    10-15 inch stout green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous through ingestion. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Sulfides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems