#alliaceae

Description: Nodding onion is a native plant found in the Rocky Mountains and cooler regions of the South. It is also widely distributed across the northern United States. Plants have a characteristic onion odor and their narrow, grass-like leaves grow from a single bulb. Each flower stalk bears an umbel of pink flowers that hang down like a shepherd’s crook. The species name cernuum comes from the Latin word for “nodding.”

Nodding onion plants are an attractive choice for native or rock gardens and are quite easy to grow. Their lovely pink to purple umbels, flowering in early to mid-summer, provide interest in clumps near other low growing plants such as wild geranium, prairie phlox, Missouri evening primrose and daisies.  Interplanting with a groundcover also disguises fading foliage which dries out after blooming.

Native Americans and early settlers ate nodding onions for food and used them for medicinal purposes. Plants were steamed for immediate consumption or dried for use in the winter. They are still eaten by people who forage for edible plants. All parts may be eaten, but their flavor is stronger than commercial onions. Collecting in the wild before flowering is not recommended as plants can easily be mistaken for poisonous death camas.

Height: Up to 20” tall

Spread/Spacing: 3 – 6” / plant  12” apart

Exposure: Full sun, part shade; Flower best in full sun, but benefit from some light afternoon shade in hot locations.

Soil Tolerances: sand, gravel, loam, clay; Does fine in average well-drained soil. Tolerates shallow, rocky soil. 

Soil Moisture: Dry to moist

Water: Low to medium; drought tolerant

Bloom: June - August; pink

Value to Pollinators: Attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, native bees, and honeybees. Host to the hairstreak butterfly caterpillar.

Deer & Rabbit Resistance:  Deer resistant. Some sources also report they are rabbit resistant. Bears and squirrels will sometimes eat the bulbs.

Where they like to grow: Rocky soil, open woods, meadows, prairies

Cultivation Notes: Very easy to grow from either seeds or bulbs. Plant seeds in the fall after scarifying. Nodding onion plants self-seed readily. To prevent spreading, deadhead before seeds develop. Bulbs form bulblets that should be divided every 3 years.