Description
Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum. A delightful and distinctive native wildflower, with bell-shaped white to pink and even pale purple flower clusters that dangle from arching stems that appear to be “nodding”. Blooming from mid to late summer, each flower has six pointed petals held atop slender, grass-like foliage that gives off a mild onion scent when crushed.
Well-suited to full sun or light shade, Nodding Onion prefers well-drained soils and grows happily in rocky, sandy, or loamy conditions—making it ideal for dry prairies, open woodlands, boulevards plantings and poor quality soil areas. Plants typically reach 12 to 18 inches in height and form attractive clumps over time.
Blooming from mid to late summer, Nodding Onion is a favorite among pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other nectar-seeking insects flock to its blooms, while the plant’s aromatic, onion-scented foliage help deter browsing from deer and rabbits. A unique addition to any full-sun pollinator planting.
