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 lusitanicum European A. senescens makes clumps of upright, slightly twisted leaves, above which are rounded heads of soft lilac flowers with dark purple anthers.