Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum)
Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum)

Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum)

Regular price $3.70
Unit price  per 

1/2-pint plug

Light: Full sun- Partial shade
Soil: Medium wet- Medium dry
Height: 18 inches
Bloom: July, August

Description: Nodding Onion is stunning to have in gardens because of its unique flowers. A ball of star-like flowers forms on each stem, tending to bend downward; hence the name "nodding" onion. The nodding habit may also protect the nectar from rain. Nodding Onion, like all the Allium species, is deer-resistant. Grows best in full or partial sun, and moist to medium conditions. It tends to spread by seed and bulb offshoots. The flowers are almost white to shades of purple in color and mature plants can reach up to 18" in height. This plant is easy to grow, and will spread gradually under suitable conditions. The attractive lime-green foliage comes up in mid-spring, creating a nice dense mat to compete with the cool season weeds that come up right away. A beautiful border plant in a sunny-partially sunny garden or restoration.

Attracts: The nectar and pollen of the nodding flowers attract primarily bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees (Anthophora spp.), and Halictid bees (Lasioglossum spp.). Insects that feed destructively on the foliage, bulbs, and other parts of Nodding Onion and other onion species (Allium spp.) include the Onion Plant Bug (Lindbergocapsus allii) and a similar plant bug (Lindbergo capsusainsliei), larvae of the False Japanese Beetle (Strigoderma arbicola),larvae of the Onion Maggot (Delia antiqua), larvae of the Black Onion fly (Tritoxa flava), larvae of the Onion Bulb Fly (Eumerus strigatus),and Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci). Mammalian herbivores usually avoid Allium spp.