Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant. A very ornamental plant, it is frequently confused with A. montanum. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Bulb - raw or cooked. An onion substitute. The small bulbs are formed in clusters on a rhizome and are up to 10mm in diameter. Leaves - raw or cooked. A fairly strong onion flavor with a slight bitterness, but acceptable raw. We use them in salads or as a flavoring in cooked foods. Flowers - raw or cooked. An attractive garnish in salads.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.

Dry, usually rocky places.