(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...

(Ornamental Onion)

The tasseled flower clusters of this small bulbous perennial are one of the most charming signs that spring has arrived; the spreading carpets of blue bring cheer to gardeners everywhere. Shaggy tufts of purplish-blue sterile flowers appear at the tips of straight stems, above greenish brown fertile flowers. The flower stalks emerge in mid spring from basal clumps of fresh green leaves. This grape hyacinth is native to dry meadows in southern Europe, Iraq, and Turkey.

Plant the bulbs of tassel...

(Blue Ornamental Onion)

Blue ornamental onion is a perennial bulb grown for its small clusters of azure blue, star-shaped flowers. In late spring to early summer, each plant puts forth multiple leafless stems topped with one flower cluster. The green strap-like foliage appears before plants bloom and often dies back before flowers the appear. This onion has a lightly oniony fragrance when its leaves or stems are crushed.

Blue ornamental onion is originates from the mountains of northern and Central Asia where it grows...

(Keeled Garlic)

Keeled garlic is grown for its spider-like clusters of red-purple, bell-shaped flowers which appear in late spring to midsummer atop tall leafless stems. Its foliage is fine, grassy and green and disappears after the flowers set seed.

This bulbous, clump forming perennial is native to Central and southern Europe, Turkey, and Russia, where it thrives in full sun average soil. Plant it in the fall in a well-drained location under three to four inches of soil. Keeled garlic is a fast grower and...