Overview
Allium phanerantherum is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium phanerantherum grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine and Türkiye.
About
Allium phanerantherum is a clump-forming bulb in the Amaryllidaceae, known by the common name conspicuous-anthered garlic which alludes to its prominent anthers. It produces deciduous leaves and a leafless flowering stalk that appears in late spring to early summer. Flowers are produced between May and July and the plant favours full sun and well‑drained soils.
About the genus
Allium is a large genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants with 1112 accepted species, making Allium the largest genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and among the largest plant genera in the world. Many of the species are edible, and some have a long history of cultivation and human consumption such as the onion, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives.
Wikipedia contributors, "Allium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium
In the garden
Allium phanerantherum is a bulbous member of the onion genus, native to parts of the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon–Syria, Palestine and Türkiye. It forms discrete clumps from bulbs and carries deciduous foliage before sending up a leafless flowering stem in its May to July season. Plant it in a sunny spot with good drainage; the species tolerates a wide range of soils (chalk, clay, loam or sand) and copes with acid, neutral or alkaline pH. It is rated H6 (very hardy), so it is suitable for outdoor planting across most of the UK and will tolerate both exposed and sheltered positions on south-, west- or east-facing sites. Use these Alliums where their architectural flower stems can be seen: gravel and cottage-style borders, city courtyards and patio containers all suit the clump-forming habit. It also works in wildlife-oriented beds and as a cut flower. Cut stems while in flower between May and July to display the plant’s conspicuous anthers in a vase.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Allium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Allium phanerantherum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Iran, Iraq, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Türkiye
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Allium phanerantherum
- Propagation
- Offsets, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Allium leaf miner, Onion fly
- Disease resistance
- Onion white rot, Onion downy mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Allium phanerantherum?
Allium phanerantherum prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Allium phanerantherum need?
Allium phanerantherum is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Allium phanerantherum hardy in the UK?
Allium phanerantherum has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Allium phanerantherum?
Offsets, Seed.
More in the Allium genus
- Allium 'Judith'
- Allium 'Summer Beauty'
- Allium cepa 'Goldito'
- Allium christophii (albopilosum)Star of Persia
- Allium hookeri 'Zorami'Hooker Chives
- Allium 'Millenium'
- Allium schmitzii
- Allium turcomanicum