Allium cernuum 'Pink Nodding'

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Pink Nodding Onion is a clump forming cool weather perennial wildflower that is native to the United States and can be commonly found growing in dry to moist prairies, along stream banks, and in moist areas at high altitudes. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features light green grass-like leaves, a long stalk that nods at its end, and small umbels of pink and white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, provides bird forage, repels moles, rodents, moths and other insects, tolerates deer, tolerates drought and frost, self sows, and is both edible and medicinal! 

  • General Information
  • Germination
  • Seedlings
  • Crop Care
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
  • Other Uses
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Family: Amaryllidaceae

Genus: Allium 

Species: cernuum

Variety: Pink Nodding Onion

Also Known As: Lady Leeks

Native to: Alabama, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Introduced into: Great Britain.

Ease of Growing: Easy

Grown as: Perennial

Maturity (Blooms): Late spring and summer

Hardiness: hardy

Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot. Prefers cool conditions and doesn't particularly like heat, but it will grow in heat if you provide it more moisture. It's a pretty adaptable, independent plant, and will grow almost anywhere and doesn't need a lot of care.

Outdoor Growing Temp: 40°F - 85°F

Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 50°F. 

Start Indoors: Yes

Start Outdoors: Yes

Light: Full sun to part shade.

Water: Dry to medium. 

Feeder: Light

Maintenance: Medium

Small Gardens?: Yes

Containers?: Yes. Chives are an excellent candidate for container growing. Plant in a container at least 6 inches deep. 

Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. As well as repelling deer, rodents, and harmful insects, this plant attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Plant Height: 18-24"

Plant Spacing: 6"-1'

Sow Depth: 1/8"

Produces: light green grass-like leaves, a long stalk that nods at its end, and small umbels of pink and white flowers.​

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
Nodding onion is easily propagated by seed. For spring planting, you will need to refrigerate your seeds for 60 days prior to your last frost date. Seeds germinate best if scarified.

Germination Temp: 60 degrees F​

Germination Time: 20-50 Days

Plant seeds outdoors in fall. Seeds germinate best if scarified.
​Nodding onion is most effectively planted in small groups. ​Transplant your seedlings 1' apart in a sunny location after your last frost date. Keep young seedlings moist until they become established.
This plant adapts well to almost any soil and can survive in shade, clay, or rocky soil. Mature plants tolerate drought very well and do not often need watering. If excess moisture remains in the soil, the bulb may rot. These plants benefit from being divided every third year, or when the clump expands to 8-10 plants. New plants grow easily from transplanted bulbs.
The bulbs of this plant are mildly toxic in large amounts, but have no ill effects when used in moderate amounts or as a flavoring. Both the leaves and flowers have a strong onion flavor and can be used in fresh salads, entrees, or as a garnish.The leaves can be cut any time after they reach a size of 6". The flowers have the strongest flavor at the height of their maturity.
Seed capsules remain green until just before they dehisce when they turn tan or straw-colored. At this time–usually Sept. to Oct.–squeeze open the capsules. If the seeds are black or turning black, collect. Air-dry and store in a refrigerated container up to three years.
Bulb: raw or cooked. Strongly flavored, it is mainly used as a flavoring. 

Leaves: raw or cooked. A delicious, strong-onion flavor, they are very nice in salads. The leaves are available from spring until the autumn and are one of the most favorite onions we are growing on our Cornish trial grounds.

Flowers: raw or cooked. A delicious strong onion flavor, somewhat stronger than the leaves especially if the seeds are starting to set. They make a very decorative and tasty addition to the salad bowl.

Known hazards of Allium cernuum: Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.
The whole plant has mild medicinal activity similar to the action of garlic (Allium sativum). It is used specifically as a poultice on the chest for the treatment of respiratory ailments and the juice has been used in the treatment of kidney stones. The juice of the plant is used in treating colds, croup, sore throats etc. A poultice of the plant is applied externally to various infections such as sore throats, sores, swellings, chest and pleurisy pains.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Plant Nodding Pink Onion strategically among other perennials to hide/distract from foliage as it yellows and fades in late summer. Little Bluestem, Anise-Hyssop, Stiff Coreopsis, Milkweed, White Turtlehead, Prairie Smoke, Pale Purple Coneflower, Butterflyweed, and Zig Zag Goldenrod all live in similar soil types and moisture levels and, as a bonus, are also native!
The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles. The juice can be applied to exposed skin in order to repel biting insects.

Suggested Varieties

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(Hyssopus officinalis ‘Hyssop')

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(Asclepias tuberosa ‘Butterfly Weed’)

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(Asclepias syriaca ‘Common’)

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(Asclepias speciosa ‘Showy’)

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