Culture
Best grown in average to rich, medium to moist, well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. The bulbs are small and have long, fleshy roots. This allium will produce clumping offshoots and eventually form a small colony. It is not clear whether this plant will naturalize from seed. Hardy in Zones 6-9. Typically blooms in summer (June-July).
Noteworthy Characteristics
Allium hookeri var. muliense, commonly called Hooker's onion, has bright, yellow flowers while A. hookeri has white flowers. This variety is native to the moist, mountain meadows and forest margins of southwest Sichuan and northwest Yunnan provinces in China at elevations between 9,000 -14,000 feet. The small yellow flowers form a hemispherical to spherical flower head, 3-4" in diameter, held on stalks up to 12-24" tall. The bright green foliage emerges in the spring, with eight to nine leaves for each rhizome. The strap-like leaves, 12-20" long, more closely resemble those of a daylily than an ornamental onion.
Genus name comes from the classical Latin name for garlic.
The specific epithet hookeri refers to Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911). The infraspecfic epithet muliense refers to Muli county located in southern Sichuan province where this plant is known to grow in the wild.
Problems
No serious insect or disease pests. Poorly drained soil may cause rot.
Uses
The yellow color is unique for an allium. Pair with the more common white and purple alliums to create striking color combinations. Use in rock gardens, moist meadows, sunny borders, or cottage gardens.