Allium altaicum aka Altai Onion

Allium altaicum, or Altai onion, is a bulb-forming perennial. It belongs to the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. Its native range runs from Siberia to northern China. It also grows wild in Kazakhstan and Mongolia. This plant lives on rocky slopes and open plains. It comes from temperate regions and forms an upright leafy clump.

The narrow leaves grow from the base of the plant. They have a blue-grey cast and look like grass blades. Their edges are smooth, and their veins run lengthwise. The leaves have an onion scent. Leaf clumps reach about 1–1.25 feet [0.30–0.38 metres] tall. Garden plants spread about 1.5 feet [0.46 metres] wide. Bare, round, hollow flower stems rise above the leaves. These reach about 2–2.3 feet [0.61–0.71 metres] tall. Bell-shaped flowers form round heads at the stem tips. Missouri Botanical Garden describes their colour as yellowish white. It lists bloom from June to August. Chicago Botanic Garden instead records white flowers from March through June.

Grow this onion in full sun and soil that drains well. Deep, rich sandy loam suits it, though it tolerates other soils. It accepts soil ranging from fairly dry to moist. Steady moisture during growth gives the best results. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 6–9, with zone 5 possible. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a wider cold range of zones 2–8. In places too cold for winter survival, gardeners can grow it annually. Plants can be raised from spring-sown seed or split in spring.

Altai onion fits borders, cottage gardens, and more informal plantings. Its flower heads add interest above the low leaves. It also suits herb beds and vegetable plots. Chicago Botanic Garden reports that it draws birds and butterflies. Both gardens list resistance to deer. Missouri Botanical Garden also lists tolerance of black walnut. Serious pest and disease trouble is not usual. Yet wet soil can cause bulb rot. Slugs may damage young plants. Mildew, rust, and leaf spots can occur. Onion maggots and thrips may also cause trouble.

The bulbs and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Young spring leaves have an onion flavour. Raw flowers can serve as a salad garnish. Bulbs grow in clusters along a rhizome. PFAF reports no poisoning cases specific to this species. Its caution about some other onions does not establish this plant’s toxicity. PFAF also reports that the growing plant may repel insects and moles.