Allium (Ornamental Onion) : Flower Facts

Meaning

Unity, humility, patience

Origins

Allium is the Latin name for garlic or onion, including ornamental varieties. As a cut flowers is has tight or loose, round clusters of small, star-shaped flowers on long smooth leafless stems. The Alliums include a group of onion, chive and garlic related flowering plants that have been prized since ancient times for their medical, aphrodisiac and culinary qualities. Today's florists commonly use two varieties of the Liliaceae family. Allium giganteum, or giant onion, measures 3 to 4 feet tall and feature a 4- to 5-inch white, blue, lavender or purple snowball-shaped mass of tiny flowers at the top of bare stems. While a Allium sphaerocephalon, or drumstick chives, are 2 to 3 feet tall, with smaller, oval-shaped, purple flowers. Alliums are suitable for drying.

Flower Availability and Vase Life

April to September, peak in June and July.

7-10 days.

Care and Handling

To revive flattened heads, hold upside down with stem between palms of hands and roll back and forth to spin and fluff head. Onion odour emitted when cut will dissipate, but avoid using hot water, which tends to intensify smell.

Florist Design Uses

A striking flower form with a strong line element mean alliums work well in designs ranging from flowing to sparse, they are also used to create height in larger designs

Colours: Shades of lilac, lavender and white.