Allium

How can you not smile when looking at a field of puffy, purple lollipops?

These flowers are called Alliums. I fell in love with them recently when I saw them incorporated in table arrangements in a wedding magazine.

Don't they look a bit like Dr. Seuss-anized dandelions? They are actually a member of the genus Allium, along with the onion family, including onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks. The bulb of Allium giganteum (A. giganteum) is commonly known as the edible "Giant Onion," and the blossoms are these beautiful pink and purple balls:



I have read that some Allium varieties can grow three to four feet tall with blossoms as large as 14 inches.



Although their globes look like they would smell like lilacs, they are known to smell like their cousins, onions! I wonder if they make your eyes water?



But stinky or not, don't you think they make cheery, mod arrangements?





I wonder how we could work these into our wedding day decor... they're so happy and one of my current favorites. But they don't really "go" with the bouquets we have going on... do you all have any ideas?