Allium sikkimense (Sikkim onion)

Botanical name

Allium sikkimense

Other names

Sikkim onion, Blue-flowered allium, Allium kansuense, Allium tibeticum

Genus

Allium Allium

Species

A. sikkimense - A. sikkimense is a bulbous perennial with linear, mid-green leaves, and nodding umbels of small, bell-shaped, blue, sometimes white, flowers in early summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Scented leaves

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

Toxicity

Contact with bulbs may irriate skin or aggravate skin allergies.

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Colour

Flower

Blue in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs

Specific diseases

Onion rot

General care

Pruning

Cut back leaves only when they have completely died down.

Propagation

Sow seed in containers in a cold frame when ripe or in spring.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Allium sikkimense (Sikkim onion) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Underplanting

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Add grit to clay soils to improve drainage.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Allium sikkimense (Sikkim onion)

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Allium sikkimense (Sikkim onion)

Common pest name

allium leaf miner

Scientific pest name

Phytomyza gymnostoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of Allium already present in UK and spreading; previous consultation supported awareness raising only; industry should prepare for the event of findings in commercial crops.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Allium sikkimense (Sikkim onion)

Common pest name

Sugarbeet webworm; Weevil; Australian tomato; Weevil; vegetable

Scientific pest name

Listroderes costirostris

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Awareness needs to be maintained due to the risk of entry as a 'hitchhiker' and monitoring of the pest in countries where it is known to be present.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/