Allium zebdanense
James Waddick (Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:44:05 PDT)

Dear PBSers,

I keep on loving this tiny onion, but never get around to
praising it totally. It is a winner.

I am talking about Allium zebdanense

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…

It is the earliest Allium in my garden. Years ago I got some
tiny bulbs from Hoog & Dix (back when). I don't often see these
available and probably because they are so tiny.

They have formed a nice clump maybe 6-8 inches across and
bloom reliably every spring in a semi-shaded area on the edge of a
silver maple. The foliage is bright green and very grassy looking.
I'd dread an indiscrimate weeder coming in a pulling this out in a
minute. Before spring has barely started the incredibly thin
pedicels emerge with buds forming on them. As the flowers open into
small white tufts of multiple flowers, the seem to float inches above
the foliage.

The flowers last a decent amount of time and really deserve
to be dug, thinned and moved around.

I can completely recommend this tiny bulb for a spot in your
garden where you'll see it early in spring for full appreciation. A
winner.

Mark any thoughts on this gem? Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +