Drumstick allium, Allium sphaerocephalum Over the last couple of years I have been more than a little preoccupied with one species in the Allium family, namely garlic ( Allium sativum ). Allium sphaerocephalon is popularly known as the drumstick allium and also the round-headed garlic, ball-head onion, and other variations on these names. So much so that I have created a website all about this fascinating and beautiful vegetable. Every family has its beauties. Many ornamental alliums, including Drumsticks and ampeloprasum -- are edible. The orthographic variant A. sphaerocephalum is also found. Drumstick allium (Allium sphaerocephalon): Blooms in early July, a couple weeks after Purple Sensation. And yes, these are the best-looking members of the family of Allium, which includes onions, leeks and chives. Drumstick allium (Allium Sphaerocephalon) are early summer bloomers. A reference to the small, egg-shaped heads of flowers that appear in July and August at the tops of long slender stems. Pale buds develop into a marvelous burgundy-green, rivaling the more metallic flower. For the ornamental grower, they mostly cause surface damage. Above: Allium sphaerocephalon freshly unsheathed from their papery cases. It’s a great choice for growing in a mixed herbaceous border among ornamental grasses, or gravel gardens. Many Allium species are native to Iran, where many tulips also originate, and the edible Alliums have been cultivated and a staple of diets for over 10,000 years. The drumstick allium, Allium sphaerocephalon, is a striking allium, bearing dense green drumstick-style flower heads which mature to maroon-red. When cut, they can be used for adding airy full stops as in the arrangements to follow. A later-blooming, excellent value variety is the drumstick Allium sphaerocephalon. Allium may be a kissing cousin to pungent onion and garlic, but the spectacular beauty of the plant will knock your socks off, and growing allium bulbs couldn’t be easier. The drumstick allium is a bit floppy, so plant it among other perennials that can provide support. The adults lay their eggs in the spring and fall. So if yours don’t produce a lollipop bloom, dig up the bulbs and saute them. [email protected] Leafminers are the larvae of flies that have clear wings and yellow heads. Their one-inch flower clusters start off greenish and eventually start to resemble red clover. They look best when allowed to waft their way throughout the garden so that they can surprise you by peeking out through other flowers. Drumstick allium, Allium sphaerocephalum Over the last couple of years I have been more than a little preoccupied with one species in the Allium family, namely garlic ( Allium sativum ). Drumstick allium (a. sphaerocephalon), an ornamental, has slender foliage, grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is topped with rich red purple flowers that are almost 2 inches in diameter this time of year. Bees and other beneficial insects love the blooms, but because of the slightly garlicky aroma of allium plants, deer and other wild critters tend to look the other way. It also works well in pots. The allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) is an awful pest for people growing edible alliums. (The word, Allium, means 'onion' in Latin.) A reference to the small, egg-shaped heads of flowers that appear in July and August at the tops of long slender stems.