Allium subhirsutum
Allium subhirsutum
Safety & Hazards
Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in very large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[1].
Cultivation Details
Allium subhirsutum is said to be less hardy than the closely-related Allium neopolitanum so is only suitable for the milder areas of the temperate zone, especially in those areas with a distinct dry season in the summer and autumn[2, PFAF]. The plant is thriving at the Botanic Gardens, Kew, England (zone 7); and so is hardier than the books say[PFAF]. Easily grown in a warm sunny position[3]. The plants require a period of summer rest when they are best kept dry but they do succeed in a well-drained sunny position in the open garden[4]. Prefers a rich moist but well-drained soil[2]. Closely related to Allium neopolitanum and Allium trifoliatum[3], this species comes into new growth in the autumn and flowers in the spring, dying down in the summer[PFAF]. It is a potential winter salad crop but is less hardy than Allium neopolitanum so is only suitable for the mildest areas of the temperate zone[2]. The plants can flower within 12 months of germination, the bulbs are also producing offsets by this time[PFAF]. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[5]. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants[4].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. It germinates quickly and can be grown on in the greenhouse for the first year, planting out the dormant bulbs in the late summer of the following year if they have developed sufficiently, otherwise grow on in pots for a further year. Stored seed can be sown in spring in a greenhouse. Division in summer after the plants have died down. Very easy, the bulbs divide freely and can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Allium+subhirsutum>
Pollinators
Bees, Insects
References
- [1]Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. — Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. · HMSO · 1984 · ISBN 0112425291 ↩︎Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Bulbs — Phillips. R. and Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1989 · ISBN 0-330-30253-1 ↩︎Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat.
- [4]Alliums. The Ornamental Onions. — Davies. D. · Batsford · 1992 · ISBN 0-7134-7030-5 ↩︎Covers about 200 species of Alliums. A very short section on their uses, good details of their cultivation needs.
- [5]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
- [6]Flora of Turkey. — Davis. P. H. · Edinburgh University Press · 1965 · ISBN - ↩︎Not for the casual reader, this is an immense work in many volumes. Some details of plant uses and habitats.
- [7]Flowers of the Mediterranean. — Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. · Hogarth Press · 1987 · ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 ↩︎A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
- [8]Plants for Human Consumption. — Kunkel. G. · Koeltz Scientific Books · 1984 · ISBN 3874292169 ↩︎An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
- [9]Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. — Riotte. L. · Garden Way, Vermont, USA. · 1978 · ISBN 0-88266-064-0 ↩︎Fairly good.
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎