It is the largest plant genera in the world and has about 1250 species. The plant is of the onion genus. All members of this genus are, at least theoretically, edible. Their flavors range from mild onions and leeks right through to strong onion and garlic. Alliums are a cool-season crop grown in most regions of the U.S

The Allium family includes a wide range of plants from chives to small bulbs with tiny, beautiful flowers for rock gardens to the drumsticks with stout vertical stems topped by a ball of color. They come in a wonderful range of colors including purple, buttercup yellow, pinks, white and shades of cornflower blue.

Alliums often grow in poor, stony ground and they don't need pampering in the garden. Average soil is fine, but it must be free-draining. Alliums are biennial monocots that are cultivated as annuals, a cool-season crop requiring temperatures of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit to emerge from seed.

Alliums include various bulbing and nonbulbing species, used for both culinary and ornamental purposes.

 Did you know?

• Allium species- A. cristophii and A. giganteum, are used as border plants for their "architectural" qualities.
• Caerulum: the small round blue heads are just 2.5cm (1in) wide.
• Nigrum: Have white flowers. The word nigrum refers to the dark, greenish-black flower centers.
• There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate the health benefits of including Alliums in the diet. Garlic, for example, has a very long folk history of use in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, particularly ailments such as ringworm, candida and vaginitis.