Honey Lily - Flower Art Friday

Last fall, my daughter and I planted hundreds of bulbs in the beds around her new home.  We were delighted to watch the different varieties as they emerged from their winter's rest and unfolded in all their glory.  As the alliums were coming to the end of their performance we were surprised by a couple more spikes emerging from the soil.  And such a lovely surprise they turned out to be.  

 Needless to say I was off on a mission to discover their identity and here is what I found.

Their official name is "Allium Nectaroscordum Siculum" but they have several common names including, Honey Lily, Sicilian Honey Lily, Sicilian Honey Garlic and Mediterranean Bells.

 These beauties bloom in late spring, early summer and butterflies find them most attractive, while critters such as deer, squirrels and rabbits leave them alone.  

 They are quite aromatic when touched or jostled with an onion or garlicy aroma that can range from light to fairly intense on a hot summer day.

 As the blooms begin to fade they change position from drooping gracefully downwards to lifting up  straight towards the sun as their pods close up and develop their seed.  Though we have not quite reached this stage yet, they will freely self-seed and so we anticipate increased numbers next spring.

Linking with LeAnne & friends for . . .