Medusa Flowering Onion

Plant bulbs in fall, spacing 4–6 inches apart and planting 3–4 inches deep in well-drained soil. Medusa is an ornamental allium with unusual, snake-like, contorted foliage and small, spherical, violet-purple flower heads in spring. Good drainage is important — bulbs rot in wet soils. Plant in a sunny location. Bulbs multiply over time to form expanding colonies.

Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering — the leaves store energy for next year's bulbs. The foliage is the main ornamental feature, with its distinctive, contorted appearance. Fertilize in fall when planting and each subsequent fall. Water moderately during active growth in spring. Note that all allium foliage has a distinctive onion scent when bruised. The unusual, twisted leaves make Medusa a fascinating conversation piece in the spring garden.