Lily Leek Allium moly
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um MOH-lee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- 10-15 inch stout green stems
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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
