An old form of the perennial bunching onion with very decorative red stalks and a slightly stronger flavoured than the white variety. It is also slightly hardier. It has round hollow leaves and only slight bulb formation. A low maintenance addition to the vegetable plot which once established looks after itself.
Choose an open, sunny site with good drainage which has preferably been dug and manured in the previous autumn.
Sow very thinly in 1.2cm (½in) deep drills, leaving about 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) between rows. Water very gently if the soil is dry, and cover with soil.