Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Allium siculum subsp. dioscoridis
Sicilian Honey Garlic
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 1 to 1.5 feet
- Flower color
- Cream and wine-colored
- Foliage color
- Green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; generally easy to care for
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 9
- Wildlife
- Pollinators such as bees and butterflies
About this plant
Allium siculum subsp. dioscoridis, commonly known as Sicilian honey garlic, is a striking perennial recognized for its unique, spherical flower clusters. Blooming in late spring to early summer, it produces large, globe-shaped umbels of cream and wine-colored flowers with a subtle, honey-like fragrance. The flowers are supported by tall, slender stems that rise above the plant's narrow, strap-like leaves, creating a graceful and elegant display.
Native to Sicily and parts of southern Italy, Allium siculum subsp. dioscoridis is prized for its unusual color combination and long-lasting blooms. It's well-suited for garden borders, mixed perennial beds, or naturalized plantings, where its distinctive, globe-shaped flowers add architectural interest and a touch of Mediterranean charm.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Under Trees · Containers · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Sedums · Columbines · Lungworts · Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Drift them in uneven groups for a natural look, and interplant with perennials that fill the gap after the leaves die back.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
