The name Drumstick Allium aptly describes this group of onions having tall, thin stems, and tight knobs of bloom at the top, indeed looking like drumsticks. Onions in this group are primarily within Section Allium, the "type" section that defines the genus, although some onions in other sections may share the so-called "drumstick" appearance. Generally, all are easy in cultivation in full sun and ordinary well-drained loam or sandy soil.
Allium amethystinum is a species from the Mediterrean where it grows in rocky places. It has hollow leaves that have withered by flowering time (May to July) and many purple flowers in a spherical umbel. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.
Allium commutatum - A very late flowering allium for a Mediterranean plant, in bloom from July or later. This curious species grows on rocky slopes by the ocean and at the time of flowering is totally leafless. Bulbs are salt resistant and floaters, and they are dispersed during sea storms. Plants are found also growing deeply embedded in the pebbles of the beaches, haven fallen down from the slopes above. Photo in habitat by Angelo Porcelli
Allium griffithianum - a beauty from C. Asia, with upright, flat-topped drumsticks of large carnous red-rose flowers, showing conspicuous dark red stripping. Allied to A. jacquemontii, Allium griffithianum only stayed with me a couple years, then succumbed (bulb rotted, I think). Photo by Mark McDonough.
Allium guttatum ssp. dalmaticum - This is a purple color variant of Allium guttatum. It is nice, but not as attractive as the ssp. of A. sardoum shown below. Photo by Mark McDonough.
Allium guttatum ssp. sardoum - a fine European species, with dense heads of white flowers held precisely spaced, showing off bright white pedicels and small fluffy white florets stained with a small dark blotch on each tepal. The first photo was taken by Mark McDonough, July 18, 2002 and another view of this species is shown in the second photo of plants grown by Arnold Trachtenberg in New Jersey from bulbs purchased from Pacific Rim Native Plant Nursery.
Allium jacquemontii - one of my absolute favorites, from C. Asia. Slow growing, and only mature bulbs flower, but a mature clump might produce a couple dozen tight knobs of fragrant luminous pink flowers. The heads widen and at full anthesis are a nearly flat-topped or domed drumstick. Flowers in June on 18" (45 cm) stems. Photo by Mark McDonough.
Allium rotundum (syn. Allium scorodoprasum ssp. rotundum) - One of my favorites and easy to grow. A Mediterranean species that grows 18"-24" (45-60 cm) tall, is slender of growth, and has tight oblong knobs of dark wine red-purple flowers. Photo by Mark McDonough.
Allium scorodoprasum ssp. jajlae - Another Mediterranean species that grows 18"-24" (45-60 cm) tall or taller. Growth is slender, with leaves easily mistaken for grass, and it has showy oblong heads of bright raspberry rose and orchid florets. Photo by Mark McDonough.
Allium sphaerocephalon syn. Allium sphearocephalum, also called "round headed garlic" (sphaero = sphere, cephalum = related to the head) is an easy to grow onion that produces very dramatic flowering heads in early summer. It is grown in many climatic regions in the United States including the Deep South. It is frost hardy, drought tolerant, best grown in full sun and well drained, fertile soil with extra lime. The species can be propagated vegetatively by bulbs and bulbils. A single bulb produces about 4 bulbils at the end of the growing season in early summer. The flower photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen, the bulb photo was taken by David Pilling (the coin is about an inch in diameter).
Allium index - American alliums A-C - American alliums D-H - American alliums I-M - American alliums N-R - American alliums S-Z - Allium flavum Relatives - Allium hybrids - Big Ball alliums - Blue alliums - chives - Domed alliums - Drumstick alliums - Miscellaneous alliums A-E - Miscellaneous alliums F-M - Miscellaneous alliums N-R - Miscellaneous alliums S-Z - Rhizomatous alliums