Hyacinths
Tulips
Daffodils
Crocus
Amaryllis
Iris
Allium
Anemone
Arum
Calla
Cyclamen
Camassia
Colchicum
Chiondoxia
Calochortus
Dichelostemma
Eranthis
Erythronium
Freesia
Fritillaria
Galanthus
Gladiolus
Ixia
Lilium
Leucojum
Muscari
Ornithogalum
Oxalis
Puschkinia
Ranunculus
Scilla
Sparaxis
Sternbergia
Triteleia
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Allium
Many hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a modest few have made a name
for themselves as garden plants. This text describes the most significant ones.
The genus, Allium also includes important plants used for human consumption such
as onions, leeks, shallots and the familiar cooking herb, chives. The natural
distribution of these species is limited to the temperate regions of Europe,
Asia and the Middle East. The ornamental onions distinguish themselves by their
great diversity in color, inflorescence and flowering height. Many species bloom
in early summer - just after the spring-flowering period and just before the
exuberant full bloom of summer. When slightly bruised, the bulbs, leaves and
stems of these plants give off a definite onion scent. Although this has been
considered a problem when using ornamental onions as cut flowers, the odor
quickly disperses after the stems have been immersed in water for a few moments.
Naturally, only the tall and middle-tall species are used as cut flowers.
Several species require a bit of special treatment, but will remain beautiful
for a long time, even as dried flowers. All species can be used in the border.
Certain small species are just perfect for a rock garden, and several lend
themselves to naturalizing.
 
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