ward-winner Allium 'Gladiator' is one of the tallest and most architectural onions. Its inflorescence consists of dozens of small star-shaped reddish-purple flowers forming a 6 inches across (15 cm) globe-shaped cluster. Blooming from late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer. A great naturalizer that comes back year after year.

Boasting the biggest flower heads, multiple award-winner Allium 'Globemaster' is a striking ornamental onion with huge inflorescences packed with dozens of small star-shaped violet flowers forming a 10-inch wide (25 cm) globe-shaped cluster! Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial enjoys long-lasting blooms, and its seed heads are ornamental, persisting for weeks after the flower has passed.

Award-winner Allium cristophii (Star of Persia) is an elegant ornamental onion with star-shaped silvery purple flowers forming a large globe-shaped cluster, 8 in. wide (20 cm), atop narrow and hairy leaves. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial enjoys long-lasting blooms and remains ornamental in the garden well into summer. This beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year. Excellent as cut flowers for both fresh and dried bouquets.

A favorite of many gardeners, multiple award-winner Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation' is a striking ornamental onion with perfectly round flowerheads, 3 in. wide (8 cm), packed with dozens of small, star-shaped, rich violet-lilac flowers. They are borne atop sturdy stalks, which arise from a group of 6 to 8 handsome, blue-green leaves. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular Allium enjoys long-lasting blooms and makes outstanding cut flowers that will last for 2 weeks.

Cultivated for its culinary uses and ornamental garden appeal, Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) is a small bulbous perennial forming a dense clump of thin, narrowly cylindrical, grass-like, dark green leaves. Blooming in late spring to early summer, attractive, pale lavender, rounded umbels are borne on erect stems atop the foliage. Both flowers and leaves are edible. The flowers are perfect in salads, while the leaves are widely used to add mild onion flavor to sauces, stews, mashed vegetables, fish, poultry, egg dishes, and salads. Since their delicate flavor is easily destroyed by heat, add chives during the last few minutes of cooking time, or scatter them on a finished dish to garnish.