Species Hooker's onion
white-lime flowers with green foliage and stems

Hooker's onion

Allium hookeri var. muliense

Hooker's onion (Allium hookeri var. muliense) is an amazing plant species found in the cold alpine regions of New Zealand. It is a medium-sized species of wild onion that thrives in harsh conditions. This plant is renowned for its colorful display of star-shaped flowers ranging from deep purples to bright whites. Its long, broad leaves are waxy, allowing them to retain all the moisture they can get while the bulbs they develop are succulent and full of flavor, making them a great addition to any dish. No matter how extreme the weather, Hooker's onion is hardy and persisted, adding a beautiful element to the alpine ecosystem.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Bulbils,Offsets

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Hooker's onion should be watered once per week, with about 1 inch of water. It is a drought tolerant plant so you should not over-water it; too much water can cause the bulb to rot. Depending on how sunny the climate is, you may need to adjust the amount of water that the plant requires. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings and a good source of drainage is essential. If the roots become water logged, the bulbs will rot. During the growing season, you can increase watering frequency to 2 or 3 times per week. During the dormant season (i.e. winter), water the plant once per month.

sunlight

Hooker's onion (Allium hookeri var. muliense) is native to California's Central Valley. It is adapted to full sun and does best when exposed to several hours of sunshine each day. In the spring, Hooker’s onion prefers full sun all day long. For summer and autumn, 4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun, plus 2 to 3 hours of late-afternoon sun, is ideal. As winter approaches, Hooker's onion should be exposed to an increasing amount of full sun. This will give it the warmth and light it needs to properly grow and bloom.

pruning

Hooker's onion (Allium hookeri var. muliense) should be lightly pruned in the spring and more heavily in the fall. In the spring, remove any spent foliage and stems that have died back, as well as any foliage or stems that have become too tall or overgrown. Late summer to early fall is the optimal time for heavy pruning. Cut back the foliage, stems, and any flower stalks that have gone out of bloom to encourage new growth. Make sure to leave at least a few stems and any flower buds for winter interest.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Hooker's onion typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map