Allium cernuum
The candy, ethereal umbels of the blooms of nodding onions fill a much-needed area of interest within the backyard.
Blooming on the peak of summer time in scorching, sunny areas with dry soils, these wildflowers thrive the place others falter.
Use them in a rock backyard, alongside a brightly lit woodland edge, or in an extended forgotten meadow.
![A close up horizontal image of the petals and flower stems of a pink nodding onion aka lady's leek flower pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/How-to-Grow-Nodding-Onions-Feature.jpg)
We hyperlink to distributors that can assist you discover related merchandise. Should you purchase from considered one of our hyperlinks, we may earn a commission.
Learn on to seek out out extra about rising this North American native that’s a favourite of bees and different pollinators.
Right here’s what we’ll cowl:
What Are Nodding Onions?
A member of the amaryllis household, Amaryllidaceae, Allium cernuum is an ornamental allium that – should you dig it up – appears to be like lots just like the culinary staple you might need eaten for dinner final evening.
Grocery retailer onions and nodding onions, also called woman’s leeks, are species within the Allium genus, and each develop a stout, pungent, underground bulb.
The bulbs of nodding onions are a lot smaller and narrower than these we usually use for cooking they usually are edible. A number of slim, grass-like leaves, which additionally scent strongly of onions, come up from the neck of the elongated bulb.
![A close up horizontal image of a flower head of a nodding onion aka lady's leek pictured on a green soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nodding-Onion-Flower-Close-Up.jpg)
The flower stalks can develop as much as 30 inches tall and emerge from the bottom of the leaves in summer time, supporting an open cluster of pendant flowers ranging in coloration from white to pale lavender to pink.
Slightly below the umbel, the scapes bend downward like a crook-handled strolling stick, giving the vegetation their “nodding” look.
In late summer time and early fall, flower heads dry and kind papery capsules that cut up open to disclose a number of arduous, shiny black seeds.
![A close up horizontal image of a nodding onion flower with a bee hovering close by pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bee-Landing-on-Nodding-Onion-Flower.jpg)
Hardy in Zones 4 to 9, this garlic relative will be discovered rising wild throughout most of North America. Preferring bluff edges and rocky outcrops, nodding onion doesn’t actually take off and unfold except it’s planted in nutritious soils.
Within the extra moist, wealthy soils of riparian habitats, or in fertile meadows, this species can colonize massive areas by self-seeding.
Preserve studying to learn to get this North American native established in your individual backyard.
Nodding Onion Propagation
Nodding onion will be grown from seed, by way of offsets, or transplants you buy from the nursery.
The method for all three strategies is fairly easy. These vegetation are really a breeze to develop.
From Seed
Beginning A.cernuum from seed is a enjoyable, rewarding course of that usually yields a number of new vegetation.
To gather your individual seed, begin to keep watch over the flowers when they’re in bloom in the summertime.
In case you are planning to gather seed from wild populations, guarantee that you’ve permission to enter the world and solely take about 10 % of the seeds.
When the leaves have senesced and the upright umbels flip mild brown, snap off the tops of the seed heads along with your fingers and acquire them in a paper bag.
![A close up horizontal image of the seed head of a nodding onion pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nodding-Onion-Seed-Heads.jpg)
Let these seed heads dry in a tray in a cool, well-ventilated, dimly lit place till the capsules cut up open to disclose black, shiny seeds. I like to make use of my closet for air-drying seeds.
Put together a planting tray with moistened potting soil. Scatter the seeds liberally throughout the floor of the soil.
Gently press them into the floor of the soil with the palm of your hand to make sure good soil contact then scatter a number of handfuls of moist potting soil throughout the floor of the tray so the seeds are barely lined.
Transfer your tray someplace open air that’s protected against wind and excessive temperature fluctuations.
You need the seeds to expertise steady, chilly temperatures for a interval of 30 to 60 days. This course of, referred to as chilly stratification, prepares the seeds for germination. Preserve the potting soil evenly moist however not waterlogged.
Within the spring, pull your planted tray out right into a location that receives full solar and ensure the soil stays moist, however not soaking moist.
After germination happens, your tray will appear like it’s immediately rising a furze of inexperienced grass!
Relaxation assured, these are your new child nodding onions. When they’re about an inch tall, skinny out the seedlings so there may be no less than half an inch of house between every plant.
As soon as your seedlings attain a couple of inches excessive you possibly can transfer them into their very own ready pots. Two- to four-inch pots or cells work properly for this.
Fill the containers with moist potting soil and poke holes with a stick or pencil. Rigorously transplant the tiny bulbs.
Preserve the potting medium evenly moist and set the pots in an space that’s protected against wind and receives full solar. The vegetation will be transplanted into the backyard in fall or the next spring.
As a neater various, you possibly can merely broadcast recent nodding onion seed into the backyard instantly after assortment.
Put together the world for sowing by gently raking the floor of the soil after which raking once more as soon as the seed is forged. Water liberally after sowing, and let Mom Nature handle the remainder.
From Offsets
Virtually all members of the Allium genus kind little child bulbs or “offsets” on the unique bulb.
Digging up and separating offsets then replanting them is without doubt one of the best methods to extend your patch of nodding onions, though it’ll take about two years for these child bulbs to develop to flowering measurement.
![A close up horizontal image of small offset bulbs growing on an allium bulb pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Offsets-on-Nodding-Onion-Bulbs.jpg)
Within the fall, after the leaves of the vegetation have withered away and their flowers have set seed, gently pry up the bulbs. Be sure that to do that very fastidiously to forestall harm to the bulbs.
It’s straightforward to get somewhat overzealous whereas digging and cut up your vegetation’ bulbs in two. Use a bigger shovel than you assume you’d want and use your fingers to tease the bulbs gently out of the soil.
Rigorously separate the offsets from the guardian bulbs and replant them about two to 3 inches deep and about 4 inches aside. Ensure you replant the unique bulbs too.
Transplanting
Whether or not you could have began your individual child nodding onions from seed, bought vegetation from a nursery, or are replanting offsets, transplanting is an easy course of.
Ensure you choose a location within the backyard with full solar and freely draining soil.
Dig a gap deep sufficient in order that your bulbs are planted on the similar depth as they have been within the pot they’re at present rising in.
Within the case of offsets, plant them two to 3 inches deep. Backfill the opening with soil round your vegetation and water properly.
The right way to Develop Nodding Onions
As with most vegetation, the key to rising a cheerful, thriving patch of nodding onions is selecting the best location.
![A close up horizontal image of a nodding onion flower with a bee feeding from it pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bee-Feeding-from-Nodding-Onion.jpg)
Within the wild, they develop in a wide range of locations, together with open meadows, rocky outcrops, and sunny, forest glades.
The one attribute these numerous habitats have in widespread is freely draining soil and ample mild publicity.
Usually talking, bulbs are inclined to not do properly in moist to constantly moist soils, and nodding onion is not any exception.
Develop A. cernuum someplace with considerable sunshine, although somewhat afternoon shade is okay, notably in hotter areas, and ensure the soil drains properly. Even scorching, dry soils don’t hassle nodding onions.
![A close up horizontal image of white nodding onion flowers growing in the summer garden pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/White-Nodding-Onion-Flowers.jpg)
This species can tolerate sand and a few clay as properly, as long as it received’t change into waterlogged or keep damp for too lengthy.
The best soil pH is 6.0 to 7.0, however the vegetation will tolerate alkaline soil and are even appropriate for rising close to black walnut trees, as they’re tolerant of juglone.
Thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, nodding onions can robust it out in all however the coldest climates.
Planting these bulbs in a backyard mattress adjoining to a south going through wall or inside the safety of a rock backyard would possibly can help you develop nodding onions in Zones 3, or decrease, as properly.
As soon as established, simply benefit from the tenacity of this sturdy species. Fertilization will not be required, neither is supplemental watering, except you expertise an actual drought with no rainfall for greater than two weeks.
Rising Suggestions
- Plant in freely draining soils.
- Website in a location with full solar or somewhat afternoon shade.
- Water properly throughout any very dry durations.
Upkeep
A splendidly unfussy native, there’s not a lot to do on the subject of taking good care of nodding onions.
In late summer time, after flowering, the leaves will begin to soften, flip yellow, and die again. At this level, you possibly can take away and compost the foliage to tidy up the backyard.
![A close up vertical image of a pink lady's leek aka nodding onion flower showing the crook-handled flower stalk.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Pink-Nodding-Onion-Flower.jpg)
To see in case your vegetation’ leaves are really able to be eliminated, simply give them a delicate tug. If they arrive away simply in your hand, they’re prepared. In the event that they don’t, allow them to be for an additional week or two.
The dry flower heads that stand above the wilting foliage will quickly ripen and reveal plenty of shiny, black seeds.
Should you don’t wish to enable A. cernuum to unfold all through the backyard, take away the flower heads earlier than the seed ripens. An excellent time to do that is true after flowering, however any level earlier than mid-fall will do the trick.
Nodding onion spreads notably properly within the nutrient-rich soils generally present in backyard beds, on the perimeters of woodland areas, and untended garden. In dry, rocky conditions, they have a tendency to proliferate way more slowly, if in any respect.
Nodding Onion Cultivars to Choose
If you wish to get began rising nodding onion in your backyard, yow will discover vegetation available at Nature Hills Nursery.
There are a couple of cultivars accessible as properly, largely with minor variations in flower coloration.
Hidcote
Winner of the celebrated Royal Horticultural Society Award of Backyard Benefit in 1993, ‘Hidcote’ grows as much as 13 inches excessive and boasts beautiful rose coloured clusters of flowers.
![A close up horizontal image of a pink nodding onion umbel pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Pink-Nodding-Onion-Umbel.jpg)
Blooming barely earlier in the summertime than the straight species and different cultivars, ‘Hidcote’ is an actual favourite for late spring shows. This cultivar is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9.
Leo
‘Leo’ grows somewhat taller than different cultivars at virtually 30 inches tall. The flower heads are white, and extra densely clustered, too.
Notably, ‘Leo’ is usually in full bloom in August, later in the summertime than the species and different cultivars.
Oxy White
As soon as considered a separate species, A. oxyphilum, this white-flowered selection is now thought of a type of A. cernuum.
Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9, the flowers of ‘Oxy White’ are somewhat extra ethereal and delicate than the straight species.
Managing Pests and Illness
Blissfully problem-free, there may be little or no within the pest and illness division to actually plague nodding onion.
Most points come up when these bulbs are improperly located in constantly moist soils. Give these native wildflowers the freely draining substrate they want they usually’ll develop fairly fortunately and with out hassle.
Pests
Because of its robust aroma, not very many bugs hassle nodding onion. There’s actually just one to look out for, and that’s thrips (Thrips tabaci).
These pesky bugs are about teeny tiny, a few twelfth of an inch lengthy, pale brown in coloration, and have delicate, fringed wings. Their younger look comparable, minus the wings.
Though thrips could cause issues for all members of the Allium genus, additionally they feed on cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbages.
![A close up vertical image of a thrips insect on a leaf in high magnification.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Thrips-Insect-in-High-Magnification.jpg)
Feeding harm on nodding onion seems as white to silver blotches on leaves, wilting foliage, diminished bulb measurement, in addition to decreased flowering and pollen manufacturing.
Feminine thrips produce as much as eight new generations of younger per yr, laying eggs on the underside of the leaves.
Populations develop most rapidly in scorching, dry climate when vegetation could already be harassed.
To keep away from harm from these pests, preserve your nodding onion patch in good well being. Website vegetation in an applicable location, in freely draining soil with loads of solar.
Luckily, A. cernuum will not be very vulnerable to those bugs and shouldn’t undergo an excessive amount of harm from an infestation.
You can learn more about how to manage thrips in our guide.
Illness
In contrast to its vegetable cousins, there are virtually no ailments that plague this wild allium.
The 2 points it’s possible you’ll encounter are simply prevented by siting A. cernuum within the freely draining soils it loves.
Downy Mildew
A typical illness of all of the vegetation inside the Allium genus, downy mildew is brought on by a water mildew, Peronospora destructor, that thrives in excessive humidity and funky temperatures.
Spores land on the foliage and trigger discolored splotches, yellowing leaves, and even dieback.
![A close up horizontal image of the symptoms of downy mildew on a nodding onion plant.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Downy-Mildew-on-Onion-Foliage.jpg)
This illness is well managed by watering on the base of the vegetation, moderately than from overhead. Should you discover any affected vegetation, take away your complete bulb and destroy it.
Planting A. cernuum in full solar, in freely draining soils will virtually fully defend these vegetation from downy mildew an infection.
White Rot
One other illness widespread to the edible onions we develop in our vegetable gardens, white rot, a fungal illness brought on by Stromatina cepivorum, will not be generally seen in A. cernuum.
Should you occur to get very unfortunate and uncover this fungus infecting your wildflowers, you’ll discover yellowing, dying foliage.
Underground, the bulb will flip black and decay. Pull your vegetation instantly and destroy them by discarding within the rubbish. You positively don’t wish to unfold this harmful pathogen elsewhere within the backyard.
Fortunately, white rot is as soon as once more simply prevented by planting your nodding onions within the freely draining soils and sunny areas they like.
Greatest Makes use of for Nodding Onions
Warmth and drought tolerant, A. cernuum is a terrific alternative for the rock backyard.
Nodding onions additionally do properly when planted on the fringe of a woodland space, the place the vegetation obtain partial shade within the afternoon.
![A close up horizontal image of nodding onion plants growing in a rocky outcrop.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nodding-Onion-Growing-in-Rocks.jpg)
Beds fashioned round warmth absorbent surfaces, like a driveway, can be a very good place to let the vegetation unfold, so as to add some coloration to an in any other case inhospitable place.
As a reasonably dainty wildflower, this species actually appears to be like good when planted en masse, their pendant heads nodding in the summertime breeze.
It additionally proliferates very properly from seed, if given the possibility. Within the cottage or native wildflower garden nodding onion fills in gaps between different perennials, imparting a contact of the wild.
Fast Reference Rising Information
Plant Sort: | Perennial flowering bulb | Flower/Foliage Coloration: | Pink, purple, white/ mild inexperienced |
Native to: | North America | Upkeep: | Low |
Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 4-9 | Tolerance: | Alkaline soil, clay soil, warmth, juglone, half shade |
Bloom Time: | Summer time | Soil Sort: | Freely draining soils of all sorts |
Publicity: | Full solar, half afternoon shade | Soil pH: | 6.0-7.0 |
Time to Maturity: | 3 years | Soil Drainage: | Effectively-draining |
Planting Depth: | Floor of the soil (seeds), similar depth as container (transplants) | Attracts: | Bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, wasps |
Spacing: | 4 inches | Makes use of: | Cottage backyard, naturalized areas, rock backyard, woodland edge |
Peak: | As much as 30 inches | Order: | Asparagales |
Unfold: | 6 inches | Household: | Amaryllidaceae |
Water Wants: | Low | Genus: | Allium |
Widespread Pests and Illnesses: | Thrips; downy mildew, white rot | Species: | Cernuum |
Neglected Straightforward Keeper
Not many gardeners consider nodding onions after they think about a ramification of gorgeous wildflowers.
![A close up horizontal image of a stand of nodding onions growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Nodding-Onions-Growing-in-the-Garden.jpg)
However these native bulbs are robust as nails and simple to develop. There are few flowers that may compete with nodding onion’s skill to colonize scorching, dry locations, and fewer nonetheless that may placed on such a gorgeous show beneath such difficult situations.
Should you’re determined for summer time wildflowers, however lack the wealthy soils many blooming vegetation demand, do that little allium on for measurement in your individual backyard. You received’t remorse it.
Do you develop nodding onions in your backyard or have you ever ever seen them within the wild? Please inform us about your experiences!. Feedback and questions are all the time welcome – we love to listen to from you!
And to learn more about growing other types of alliums, try these guides subsequent: