Allium 'Gladiator is a deer resistant member of the onion family. 50-60 inch stems are topped with 4-5 inch spherical violet-purple heads that bloom in late spring and last well into early summer. Alliums require good drainage with plenty of compost mixed in. A sunny location is an absolute must. These alliums are hardy to about -40 degrees F. The tree paired them with is Cornus mas 'Aurea'. Cornus mas is the original orchard tree of ancient Rome, and is known as cornelian cherry. If you ever had a cherry tart in Tuscany, it probably was made from cornelian cherries, as cherry trees are rare in Southern Italy. The fruit is tart and not very tasty right off the tree, but they're great for cooking. Cornus mass blooms with cheery yellow flowers on bare wood in early February. They can get 20 feet or more tall, but can be kept at almost any size with pruning. The pictured tree, Cornus mas 'Aurea', features spectacular yellow leaves in spring. They turn greenish in summer, and then turn yellow again in fall. It prefers full-sun and well-drained soil.