Description

Allium cernuum is easy to recognize by its umbel consisting of a cluster of individual flowers that gently arch downward, hence the common name nodding onion. Bloom color may vary from whitish to pink or lilac. The foliage is basal and grass-like with erect or arching leaves up to 12" long and 1/4" across that persist past the blooming period and die back in late summer. Each plant typically produces only one flowering stem that is up to 18" tall.

Cultivation

Nodding onion is easy to grow under average garden conditions. It prefers a high quality environment and soil that is moist to dry. Flower production is best with more sun, but it will tolerate open shade or dappled sunlight. The bulbs will produce offsets creating dense clumps over time. It will spread readily by seed when grown in disturbed areas, but can easily be controlled by deadheading. The blooming period lasts 3 to 4 weeks from early to mid-summer. Zones 3-8

Propagation

This species is easiest to propagate by separating and transplanting bulb offsets. It can also be propagated by seed, but new plants are slow to reach blooming maturity.

Additional Notes

Allium cernuum is very versatile and can be incorporated into meadows, or grown in cottage gardens or mixed perennial borders and beds. It is highly tolerant to deer and other herbivores. Can be grown in the proximity of black walnuts.

Allium was first described as a genus by none other than Carl Linnaeus (the father of modern taxonomy) in 1753, and is new Latin for the word garlic. The specific epithet, cernuum, is a Latin adjective meaning dropping, pendulous, or leaning forward; hence the common name nodding onion.