Allium cernuum

Nodding Onion / Nodding Wild Onion

Easy to identify by its distinctive, nodding, pastel lilac-pink flowers in late spring, Nodding Onion thrives in challenging sites such as hot sun and gravely soil. It is strikingly beautiful and is well-suited a formal or wild garden, as well as a natural meadow. Easy, dependable and very drought tolerant once established.

Benefits

	Easy to Grow
	Early Season Bloomer
	Drought Tolerant

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow in full sun and any soil that isn't wet. Soil with good drainage such as a sandy loam is ideal.

A. cernuum forms slowly expanding clumps and can be divided easily at any time.

Deadhead flowers before seed sets to help control any unwanted spread. Foliage persists past flowering into late summer before dying back.

Height 18-24 Inches

Spread 12-18 Inches

Native Range Found on ledges, in dry meadows, gravel, rocky or wooded slopes from New York to Michigan and British Columbia, south to Arizona and North Georgia. Distribution Map

Native Trivia Though all parts are edible, Nodding Onion is not considered to be of significant culinary value. The juice of the plant is used as an insect repellent, specifically for moths. The juice can be applied to exposed skin in order to repel biting insects. Some claim that planting Nodding Onion repels moles.

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

"Bulbs are utilized by bears and ground squirrels. Elk and deer graze the early spring herbage."

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Medium Perennials	Exposure • Sun	Soil • Acidic • Wide soil tolerance • Well-drained	Soil Moisture Preference • Average • Dry
Attracts Wildlife • Mammals • Butterflies	Bloom Time • Summer	Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant	Habitat Collection • Butterfly • Songbird
Native Habitat • Grassland	Foliage Color • Blue-green	Uses • Border • Rock garden • Wind tolerant • Mass plant • Container • Meadow • Naturalizes • Drought tolerant