Small Yellow Onion, Ornamental Onion
Allium flavum
Family: Alliaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Allium flavum is a BULB growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Dry slopes.
Southern and central Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Bulb - raw or cooked. The bulb is rather small, about 15mm tall and 10mm in diameter. Leaves - raw or cooked. Flowers - raw.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.
Other
Rating:
The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border. A very easily grown plant, it prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. It succeeds in clay soils and also in areas of higher rainfall, so long as the soil drains fairly well. A very variable species with forms ranging in height from 8 - 50cm. Closely related to A. carinatum. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features: Not North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division of the bulbs in late summer or the autumn. Larger bulbs can be planted straight out into their permanent positions, though it might be best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on for a year before planting them out..
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 4-7
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.