While touring the garden this morning, I noticed that Allium zebdanense has
started to bloom. This is a favorite here.

It also taught me a lesson, because I eventually killed my original
acquisition with kindness. Reading that it was from Lebanon, I assumed that
it would not be winter hardy here. So it was protected in a very sheltered
place. Over the years it was shifted from one protected place to another,
and then eventually lost in one of the moves.

By then, the company which originally supplied the bulbs had closed.

A few years ago I was visiting a new friend's garden, and Allium zebdanense
seemed to be popping up everywhere in the rockery. At that point, I asked a
stupid question "It's hardy for you?"

Later, I saw it in another local garden, again making itself very much at
home. My current stock comes from that garden, and is a highly appreciated
gift.

This species has white flowers, flowers which are relatively large for the
size of the plant. The very flexuous scapes are about a foot high. It's very
delicate looking, and to my eyes very beautiful.

I thought Allium haematochiton would be the first Allium to bloom this year;
it's been in advanced bud for weeks. What's it waiting for?

Jim McKenney
jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where local gardens are
bright with Darwin Hybrid tulips.

My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/

Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS
Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/

Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/

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