Allium amplectens

[lieven]

One of our favorite alliums: A. amplectens Graceful. I haven't tried the wild type yet, nor other cultivars, if they exist at all.
We enjoy this onion relative mainly during winter, as very early (or very late) chives. The grass-like leaves are lighter green and shorter than regular chives, and have a delicious onion-like taste. The flowers, too, are nice to eat - around April/May, and the plants have multiplied a bit over the last two years, without spreading too much over the place - as some alliums do.
I got the bulbs through a well-assorted seedsman in Holland, in the ornamental Allium section.

[raymondo]

A nice looking allium lieven. I see from wikipedia that our American and Canadian friends have access to the wild form. It would be interesting to compare.

[philagardener]

That seems to be a western species "native to British Columbia, Oregon, Washington State and California".

[rangardener]

Hi, lieven, thanks so much for starting this thread.

I looked at:
www.pnwflowers.com/flower/allium-amplectens

and then:
www.oregonflora.org/atlas.php

on the map in the above link I found it right in my neighborhood! I’ll look for the lovely flowers next Spring.

[lieven]

I haven't tasted the flowers or the bulbs yet, but the leaves are really good.

[12540dumont]

Lieven, Good to hear from you. I'm just about to start your leeks again, and Lieven's Teardrop even grows well in Florida! Now, I suppose I'll have to find that onion.

Happy New Year. Regards, Holly

[trixtrax]

This is a common native onion all over where I'm living now. Flower is the best part IMHO. Greens are great as well. Not very productive at all. Happy to collect some seed for everybody