I’ve grown this ornamental onion in the dry garden for ten years and the bulbs planted then have flowered every year since. During October and early November, a month earlier than Allium giganteum, sturdy sixty centimetre tall stems carry huge 20cm diameter balls of flower, each with a myriad of small glossy metallic purple florets. Not difficult to grow if it is given all the winter sun and a dry summer baking. Plant at least 30cm apart.