(Beau Regard Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This excellent allium hybrid displays enormous, rosy-purple flower clusters on tall, sturdy stems in late spring to early summer. Its starry, individual florets are packed densely in rounded globes that can be as large as 8 inches (20 centimeters) in diameter, adding instant drama to mixed beds and borders. They rise from low rosettes of bold, strappy, deep green leaves that remain attractive while the plants are in flower, unlike those of many other alliums.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Beau...

(Firmament Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This gorgeous ornamental allium graces the garden with globes of starry, silvery-purple blossoms in late spring. The rounded, softball-sized flower clusters are borne on sturdy, slender stems which rise above strappy, deep green basal leaves that emerge in spring and fade as the plants bloom.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Firmament’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two to three times their diameter. Full sun is essential, and dryish summer conditions are preferable. Plant in small...

(Gladiator Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

A hybrid of two large-flowered Central Asian alliums, ‘Gladiator’ is a bulbous perennial grown for its huge globes of starry, metallic purple, green-eyed flowers displayed in late spring to early summer. The dense, rounded flower clusters are borne singly atop tall, sturdy, bare stems which rise above deep green, broadly sword-shaped basal leaves that emerge and spring and wither as the blossoms appear.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Gladiator’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two...

(Globemaster Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

For many, ‘Globemaster’ is the standard against which all other ornamental alliums are judged. The gigantic, rounded, lavender-purple flowerheads of this hybrid are composed of small, starry, densely packed florets, and can approach the size of a volleyball. Appearing in late spring, they are borne singly on tall, sturdy stems which rise above bold, strappy, deep green basal leaves that appear in spring and fade as the plants bloom.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Globemaster’ in fertile, well-drained...

(Lucy Ball Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This attractive hybrid allium decorates the late spring to early summer garden with dense spheres of rich rosy-purple flowers. The rounded flowerheads are composed of many small, starry, individual florets, and are approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) in diameter. They are borne on tall, strong stems which rise above strappy, green basal leaves that emerge in spring and fade as the plants bloom.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Lucy Ball’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two to...

(Millenium Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

Bred by ornamental onion expert Mark McDonough, this excellent and unique allium hybrid peps up the late summer garden with a profusion of spherical, pastel purple, drumstick-like flowerheads. The softly-colored blossoms can decorate the garden for up to a month, and are borne on slender stems which rise from dense, compact clumps of slender, glossy, deep green foliage.

Grow this perennial in full to part sun and well-drained soil of average moisture and fertility. The late-flowering habit...

(Mont Blanc Ornamental Onion, Ornamental Onion)

This refined hybrid ornamental onion graces the late spring perennial border with globes of starry, shimmering white blossoms displayed on tall, slender stems. The baseball-sized flower clusters rise above strappy, deep green basal leaves that appear in spring and fade as the flowers emerge.

In autumn, plant the bulbs of ‘Mont Blanc’ in fertile, well-drained soil at a depth of two to three times their diameter. Full sun is essential for best flowering, and drier summer soil conditions are...

(Ornamental Onion, Pink Feathers Ornamental Onion)

A summer-blooming ornamental onion, 'Pink Feathers' bears wispy clusters of pale pink-lavender blossoms. This hybrid perennial grows from bulbs that slowly reproduce to create a clump. Each bulb produces slender, light green leaves that may slightly twist. The leaves look resemble a wispy rosette. The rounded flower clusters comprise hundreds of tiny six-petaled flowers that are visited by bees and butterflies. No or few seeds result from pollination, making 'Pink Feathers' less of a spreading weed...

(Flowering Onion, Persian Onion)

Although this Central Asian native is rare in cultivation, many "drumstick alliums" - including the popular cultivar 'Purple Sensation' - are incorrectly sold under this name. Most bear large spherical heads of lilac-purple flowers on tall stems in late spring. The strap-shaped basal leaves wither shortly after the flowers appear.

These plants like rich, well drained soil and full sun. Use them as bedding plants or in mixed borders. They attract butterflies, and are relatively unpalatable to...

(American Flag Leek, Broadleaf Wild Leek)

Grown for its showy flower heads on tall stems, this ancestor of the cultivated leek is a bulbous perennial from stony or sandy habitats in northern Africa, southern Europe, Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus. It may also be the parent of elephant garlic.

Growing from a rounded, yellowish, edible bulb that produces numerous offsets, this ornamental onion has long, grass-like leaves that clasp the base of the tall solitary flowering stem. A large spherical umbel of pink, purplish red, or white flowers...