(Turkestan Onion)

The Turkestan onion is a perennial onion bulb grown both for its late-spring to summer blooming globes of pale pink flowers and its pairs of long, grayish-purple leaves which grow almost horizontally. Unlike most ornamental onions, the Turkestan onion keeps its leaves even while in flower. However, all onions lose their foliage in even the mildest winter climates. As a member of the onion family, this plant releases the familiar pungent fragrance when its leaves or stems are crushed. It is native...

(Turkestan Onion)

The Ivory Queen Turkestan onion is a perennial onion bulb grown both for its late-spring to summer blooming globes of white flowers and its pairs of long, grayish-purple leaves which grow almost horizontally. Unlike most ornamental onions, this one keeps its leaves while in flower. However, all onions lose their foliage in even the mildest winter climates. It is native to central Asia where it grows in well-drained soil in full sun.

Plant this bulb in the autumn four inches deep (10 cm) in fertile,...

(Golden Onion)

Golden garlic is grown for the bright golden yellow loose umbels that bloom in late spring to early summer. More than thirty star-shaped flowers emerge on a single stem from and amid long, flat gray-green glossy leaves. Golden garlic belongs to the onion family and thus releases the familiar pungent fragrance when its leaves or stems are crushed. It is native to southern and southwestern Europe, where it grows in well-drained, often sandy, soil in full sun.

In the autumn, plant golden garlic...

(Golden Onion)

Golden garlic cultivar 'Jeannine' is grown for the bright golden yellow loose umbels that bloom in early summer. The flowerhead is larger than the species. More than thirty star-shaped flowers emerge on a single tall stem from amid long, flat gray-green glossy leaves. Golden garlic belongs to the onion family and thus releases the familiar pungent fragrance when its leaves or stems are crushed. It is native to southern and southwestern Europe, where it grows in well-drained, often sandy, soil in...

(White Garlic)

Grown for its spring display of showy, airy flowers, this bulbous perennial from southern Europe and northern Africa is one of the most popular onions for ornamental use.

The grass-like leaves and compact, triangular flower stem arise from a small, white, ovoid bulb. The leaves appear in late fall and wither just as the clusters of starry, sweetly fragrant, snow-white flowers open. Both the leaves and the bulb are edible. Papery tan capsules containing black seeds follow the flowers. Plants may...

(Garden Leek)

Leeks have a delicate, sweet oniony flavor that cannot be matched, and though they take a bit more work to cultivate, they are well worth growing. Unlike onions, their leaf bases are eaten as well as the bulbs. They are technically short-lived perennials but are grown as annuals. The species of wild leek from which they are derived, Allium ampeloprasum, originates from southern Europe, North Africa and regions in the Middle East where they grow in sandy coastal spots as well as open pine...

(Garden Leek)

Delicate, sweet and lacking the hot acidic taste of onions, Bandit garden leek is a must for the herb and vegetable garden! This selection is much more tolerant to winter cold and frosts and has very dark blue-green leaves. Usually grown as an annual, it is a slow-growing biennial that isn't affected by diseases that afflict onions. When 'Bandit' flowers (in the second year), it produces pinkish white flowers in the spring. Small bulbils form in the balled flower clusters and can be removed and placed...

(Garden Leek)

Delicate, sweet and lacking the hot acidic taste of onions, King Richard garden leek is a must for the herb and vegetable garden! This selection is fast-growing and readily forms long white stems before the green leaves unfurl. It also has decent tolerance to repeated light fall and winter frosts. Usually grown as an annual, it is a biennial that isn't affected by diseases that afflict onions. When 'King Richard' flowers, it produces pinkish white flowers in the spring. Small bulbils form in the...

(Garden Leek)

Delicate, sweet and lacking the hot acidic taste of onions, Tadorna garden leek is a must for the herb and vegetable garden! This selection is has very dark blue-green leaves and is known for its holding qualities once mature in the cool soils of fall and winter, if not frozen. Usually grown as an annual, it is a slow-growing biennial that isn't affected by diseases that afflict onions. When 'Tadorna' flowers (in the second year), it produces pinkish white flowers in the spring. Small bulbils form...

(Chinese Chives)

An ornamental onion that bears beautiful snowy flowers in summer, this hardy bulbous perennial is a less invasive relative of garlic chives (Allium tuberosum). It is native to the steppes of Central Asia.

Arising from a slender, cylindrical bulb with netted fibers, the semicircular, hollow, edible leaves of this ornamental onion clasp the base of the shin- to knee-high flower stem. The numerous white, cup-shaped flowers cluster atop the stem on ascending stalks, forming a shuttlecock-shaped...