Allium Acuminatum

Habit: thin leaves sprout from the grayish brown egg-shaped bulb and then wither as flowering begins. The 10-20 bright magenta flowers appear at the top of the stalk forming an umbel with distinctively flared tips.  Flowers bloom between May and July. Ecology: dry hillsides, sun-exposed rocky meadows at low to mid elevations. Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade, well-drained rocky soil to rather dry soil, drought tolerant once established.  Tapertip onion is a great species for rock and xeric gardens. Allium acuminatum has a strong onion odor and the bulbs and leaves are edible, but should only be consumed in small doses.