How to Grow and Care for Onions

The Allium ampeloprasum is from the onion genus and grows a variety of vegetables, of which the most commonly known are leeks, pearl onions, salad leek, Persian leek, and elephant garlic.

Ramson (Allium ursinum) is a perennial flowering plant. It is related to garlic and wild onion, sometimes earning it the nickname, "wild garlic." Collecting this plant is not recommended, however, because it resembles several poisonous wild plants. Ramson blooms during the spring and early summer, sprouting forth with white, star-shaped flowers. It can grow 15 to 30 cm tall and prefers damp, shady soil. Wild bears and boars enjoy eating the bulbs.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a herbaceous plant native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Slightly spicy to the taste, chives are commonly used to flavor foods throughout the globe (especially in Europe). In gardens, the growing plants can act as pest repellents.

While Allium vineale is a type of garlic, it is generally not accepted as a substitute for garlic as it has a rather unpleasant aftertaste. Additionally, it is considered to be invasive, as it can taint grain with the flavor of garlic. It is usually resistant to most herbicides.

Giant onion, Allium giganteum, or ornamental onion, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. This hardy perennial grows large purple clusters of tiny florets. It’s the largest of the ornamental onions, and although it produces onion-like fragrances, it is not grown for consumption.