A truly impressive Ornamental Onion, featuring big round heads of mauve-purple flowers in late spring. The tall stems are excellent for cutting or drying. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. This looks best when combined with a bushy, low-growing perennial to hide the withering onion leaves at blooming time; hardy Cranesbill Geraniums are an excellent companion. Plants go completely dormant during the summer. The fleshy bulbs may be lifted and divided after several years, best done in mid summer after the leaves wither or in early autumn.