Allium cernuum - Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum - Nodding OnionSizes available: HPP quart Basics: zones 2 9, 1 2' x 4 8". full sun, purplish to pinkish to white flowers in a white cluster from mid to late summer, prefers consistently moist neutral to alkaline soil, but has some drought tolerance once established. Common names: Nodding Onion, Lady's Leek Family: Alliaceae Origin Distribution: Found from New York south to the mountains of Georgia, west to the higher altitudes of Arizona and northern Mexico, and

Sizes available: HPP quart

Basics: zones 2-9, 1-2' x 4-8". full sun, purplish to pinkish to white flowers in a white cluster from mid to late summer, prefers consistently moist neutral to alkaline soil, but has some drought tolerance once established. 

Common names: Nodding Onion, Lady's Leek

Family: Alliaceae

Origin/Distribution: Found from New York south to the mountains of Georgia, west to the higher altitudes of Arizona and northern Mexico, and northward into British Columbia.

Habitat: Occurs in sunny moist spots and riparian habitats at higher altitudes. 

More: The foliage is grasslike and edible in small amounts and unlike the spring-blooming alliums, the foliage attractively persists. Good cut flower for smaller posies. A candidate for an open, low, grass-type, moist meadow planting but will prefer not to compete with strong growers or get shaded out. Attractive to pollinators. In its native range the bulbs are eaten by bears and ground squirrels and elk and deer graze new shoots. However, some sources say deer and rabbit resistant. Has been used medicinally as a tea or poultice. According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Chicago gets its name from the Algonquin name for this plant - chigagou. 

Source: Prairie Nursery, 2025 - grown on at Honey Petal Plants

Image credits: Botanical Illustration from Wikimedia Commons; Bloom from Fritzflohrreynolds via Creative Commons through the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox