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Amaryllidaceae
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Allium
Unity, patience, humility, prosperity.
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Genus
- Allium
- Native to
- Northern Hemisphere, South America, Africa
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- bulbous perennial
- Height
- 15–180 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Water
- Moderate; dry after bloom
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- Allium is the genus that includes onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots — yes, your kitchen staples are technically flowers.
- Ornamental alliums can produce flower heads up to 25 cm across, made of hundreds of tiny star-shaped florets.
- Deer and rodents avoid alliums entirely due to their oniony scent, making them a pest-resistant garden choice.
- Allium giganteum, the giant allium, can grow to 1.8 m tall with softball-sized purple flower heads.
- Garlic has been cultivated for over 5,000 years and was given to Egyptian pyramid workers to boost their endurance.