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Photo by Walter Siegmund

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Buy Allium cernuum

Also Known As

Allium cernum
Lady's Leek
Nodding Onion
Wild Onion

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 18"-24"
W: 12"-18"

planting zones

4a-9b

3" | $11

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Fewer than 4 at Secret Garden Growers

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Allium cernuum plant details

Allium cernuum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In summer pink flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer, dry when dormant. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Allium cernuum

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: amaryllidaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in summer
Uses: bare root shipping available, easy-to-grow, edging plant, larger quantity available, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Allium cernuum

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Easy to grow bulbous perennial with grassy leaves topped with nodding, tiny lavender bells in loose clusters in summer. Easy to grow in sunny, dry spots…will naturalize by offsetting and reseeding where happy. Drought tolerant, deer and critter resistant. Foliage dies back in late summer.

By: Secret Garden Growers

The very hardy Allium cernuum has light pink nodding flowers in June/July with narrow chive-like leaves. All parts of the plant are edible and purportedly able to reduce cholesterol. They will self-seed gently to increase the clump and are resistant to deer. They are also popular with lots of pollinators.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

The specific epithet refers to the nodding flower heads of this late Summer bloomer. The flower heads are about 6-18" tall and appear in a multitude of pinkish shades. Very easy to grow in full sun.

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

This “wild” onion is distinctive for its nodding umbels of pinky lavender flowers. Native to the Ozark Mountain, Allium cernnum is attractive to butterflies and bees, is deer resistant and grow 12-18” (less frequently to 24”) tall. Easy peasy and drought tolerant.

By: Avant Gardens

Nodding Pink Onion (Allium cernuum) is long-lived, super hardy and looks great in short prairie gardens and meadows. Plant it in masses for a stunning late summer effect! Thrives in any moderately rich soil, from rocky hillsides to damp clay. Hardy to Zones 3 - 8.

By: Prairie Nursery

Blooms: summer, intense pink/ semievergreen fleshy strappy foliage Zone 6-9. 4"-20", PNW, part shade-sun, moist-dry, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Charming lavender-pink clusters of bell-like flowers nod on curved 14" stems in early summer. This is a northwest native that reseeds lightly. Sweet.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Bell shaped, deep pink flowers. Self seeding. Oregon native.

By: Thompson's Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Allium cernuum

Photo of Allium cernuum flower by Walter Siegmund

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By: Walter Siegmund

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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Photo of Allium cernuum flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery

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By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

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Photo of Allium cernuum flower by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

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By: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

Photo of Allium cernuum flower by Keeping it Green Nursery

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By: Keeping it Green Nursery

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By: Keeping it Green Nursery

By: Prairie Nursery

By: Avant Gardens

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

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By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

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Gardening facts about Allium cernuum plant

How to Grow Allium cernuum

Sun Exposure
- sun - dappled shade
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry when dormant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- clay
- acidic
- adaptable
- average
- lean
- well-drained
- rich
- rocky
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- pink
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- bees
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
- rabbit resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- deciduous
Texture
- grassy