These are species and varieties of onions with that do not grow very tall, and may be suited to use in a rock garden or riased bed, or growing in pots. They have clusters of flowers with pointed petals, which may be white, pink, purple, blue or, in a few cases, yellow.

Allium cernuum 'White Dwarf' is a white-flowered form of this species, distinguished by its nodding umbels of flowers.