As we celebrate the 4th of July I am meditating on allium.

Allium is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants that includes hundreds of species, including the cultivated onion, garlic, scallion, shallot, leek, and chives. The generic name Allium is the Latin word for garlic, and the type species for the genus is Allium sativum which means "cultivated garlic".

“Monocotyledons, commonly referred to as monocots, are grass and grass-like flowering plants.”- Wikipedia

I first encountered allium in San Francisco after my only cross-country trip. We had driven across the country to participate in the American Crafts Council show in San Francisco and visit our best friend, Stuart. San Francisco was amazing and the flora and fauna was SO different from that which we were used to. Loved it.

When we got home, we started to buy and plant allium. Always rewarding. Since then, we have sought out allium bulbs to plant in the fall and enjoy in the spring.

After it peaks the allium leaves the architectural structure behind. I generally allow these to dry out in the garden. I harvest these dried flowers because they are so beautiful.

It seems to me that we do not need pyrotechnics to celebrate the 4th. We just need allium.

Happy 4th of July.