These are onions with large heads of flowers, usually spherical, with the pointed petals giving the famed ‘exploding firework’ effect. In many of them the flower heads dry in the autumn, and can be used as spectacular Christmas decorations. Flowers are usually pink, purple or white, and leaves may be present at flowering time, or come earlier, withering as the flowers open. In the latter case, cut them back as the flowers start to open.These are onions with large heads of flowers, usually spherical, with the pointed petals giving the famed ‘exploding firework’ effect. In many of them the flower heads dry in the autumn, and can be used as spectacular Christmas decorations. Flowers are usually pink, purple or white, and leaves may be present at flowering time, or come earlier, withering as the flowers open. In the latter case, cut them back as the flowers start to open.

Allium giganteum is a striking plant, both in flower and long afterwards. Atop a tall stem is a huge umbel of hundreds of violet flowers, like an exploding firework. After the flowers have faded, the seed heads remain, gradually drying out, and they can be used for Christ