A spike of plum-purple large, pendulous bell-like flowers top out the gray-green foliage on this hardy bulb native to the higher elevations in the Middle East. It was discovered in 1585 and has been featured in landscape gardens ever since. Bulbs purchased for annual display use will flower well in a sunny position in average soils. However, if naturalization is desired, greater attention to the soil and growing conditions are required. Very well-drained yet moisture-retentive soils that are allowed to dry from mid- to late summer are required. When these challenging (for Chicago-area gardeners) conditions are met, the single bulbs will divide over time to create spectacular clumps of flowers.