Allium moly aka Lily Leek

Allium moly is a perennial bulb, which means it lives for years. Its names include golden garlic and lily leek. It belongs to the amaryllis family, whose name is Amaryllidaceae. Sources give its home range as southern Europe and northwest Africa. Plants For A Future lists eastern Spain and southwest France. It grows in shade among rocks in the mountains. These sites include scree, or loose stones, and limestone rubble. The small plant grows in upright clumps. It spreads by seed and offsets, or new bulbs.

Garden plants reach about 0.8–1.5 feet [0.25–0.46 metres] tall. NC State lists a spread of 0.8–1 foot [0.25–0.30 metres]. RHS gives a wider size range, reaching 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Flat, blue-green leaves grow in pairs at the base. They can reach 1 foot [0.30 metres] long. The leaves have smooth edges and no hairs. They smell of onion when crushed. They die back in midsummer.

Yellow flowers grow above the leaves on bare, green stems. They form loose umbels, with stalks that share a starting point. Each star-shaped flower has six parts and a faint garlic scent. Each flower spans about 0.04 feet [0.013 metres]. Missouri Botanical Garden lists bloom from May to June. Chicago Botanic Garden gives the same bloom dates. Butterflies visit the blooms to feed on nectar. The plant then forms seed cases called capsules. The flowers work well as cut flowers. Groups add color to rock gardens and the fronts of borders. Uses also include cottage gardens, path edges, and pots. The plant also suits areas where it can spread on its own.

Grow this bulb in full sun and soil that drains well. Some afternoon shade helps where summers are hot. It accepts many soils but prefers rich sandy loam. Give it a moderate amount of water. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. Plant bulbs in autumn, and split clumps to make more plants. Remove dead blooms to limit new plants from unwanted seed. Sources differ on how fast clumps spread. They agree that the plant needs little care. It tolerates USDA zones 3–9 and has RHS hardiness rating H6. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.

Serious pest problems are rare, though bulb mites can occur. RHS also lists allium leaf miner and onion fly. Diseases may include onion white rot and downy mildew. Treat food reports with care. Plants For A Future lists bulbs, leaves, and flowers as edible. NC State also lists bulblets, or small bulbs. But it warns that eating the plant can cause low-severity poisoning. Signs may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Missouri Botanical Garden treats it as a plant for show, not food. These sources do not prove that eating it is risk-free.