I have not been successful in growing this species. As Jerry Flintoff suggests, there's something in the name itself that's intriguing. The photo in Phillips and Rix book on Bulbs doesn't do it much justice. I just did a google search for photos and came up with the following two. The first link is very long and wraps... be sure to copy and paste the whole thing. The second link shows a most desirable plant. http://bulbsociety.com/GALLERY_OF_THE_WORLDS_BULBS… akaka/Alliumakaka.html http://www.franz-alpines.org/g_allium_akaka.html By the way, there's a whole range of species closely allied to A. akaka and karataviense, such as the most desirable A. mirum (I've yet to get this one) and A. cucullatum (with yellow, bronze-shaded flowers). Fortunately a few extra special species have become available in recent years, such as A. karataviense 'Red Globe' (immense red balls; pictures have been posted to the "Big Ball Onions" page on the PBS wiki Allium page), and the glorious A. nevskianum. For 4 excellent photos of the latter, check out John Lonsdale's photos at: http://edgewoodgardens.net/Gallery/gallery.asp/… start=45 (watch for URL wrapping, be sure to copy and paste the whole url). Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States antennaria@aol.com "New England" USDA Zone 5 ============================================== >> web site under construction - http://www.plantbuzz.com/ << alliums, bulbs, penstemons, hardy hibiscus, western american alpines, iris, plants of all types!