Native to the northern hemisphere and named for the Latin word for garlic, alliums have adapted to climates in every part of the world. Ornamental alliums are distinctive plants grown from bulbs, and Rien Poortviet is an attention getter. Easy to grow, it produces mauve balls of flowers atop 35-inch stems from May to June. Plant bulbs in the fall. They prefer full sun, attract butterflies, and are resistant to deer.