Sicilian Honey Garlic (Nectaroscordum siculum)

Where to Plant:

Commonly known as Sicilian Honey Garlic, this is a wonderfully unusual and architectural plant. It produces tall, leafless stems topped with a loose, exploding firework of drooping, bell-shaped flowers in subtle shades of cream, green, and maroon. It is very adaptable and will grow happily in full sun or partial shade in any fertile, well-drained soil. It is perfect for adding a quirky, vertical accent to cottage gardens, gravel gardens, and prairie-style planting schemes, where it mixes well with grasses and other perennials.

How to Plant:

The large, elongated bulbs should be planted in the autumn. Dig a hole and plant each bulb at a depth of about 10-15cm (4-6 inches), with the pointed tip facing upwards. They look most effective when planted in small groups of three or five, allowing them to weave through other plants. Space individual bulbs about 15-20cm apart to give them room. Water once after planting.

Aftercare:

This is an exceptionally easy plant to care for. It is normal for the strappy, triangular leaves to begin to look untidy and die back before the flowers are at their best. The most important thing to know is that it self-seeds with great enthusiasm. This can be a wonderful bonus if you want it to naturalise and create a large colony, but if not, you must deadhead the flowers once they have faded. The dried seed heads are also very decorative and can be left for winter interest.