Allium cernuum.
Nodding Onion is a perennial wildflower native to most regions of the United States where it can often be found growing on rocky soils in glades, open woods, dry meadows and prairies, and alongside bluff edges.
Plant grows to about 18 inches in height and produces tiny, pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from July through August.
The flowers, along with the leaves, are edible and have a flavor similar to onions. Try using it in the kitchen as a substitute for chives!
Historically used by Native American tribes for treating croup, colic, colds, and fevers.
Typically blooms in the second year.
Nodding Onion
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 Light Requirement: Full to partial sun Soil Type: Any, well-drained Sow Depth: 1/8 inch Plant Spacing: 4 to 8 feet Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 60 days Bloom Time: May through July Growing Tips
Direct sow in late fall by planting the seeds just below the soil's surface. For an earlier spring planting, mix seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days (cold stratification) before direct sowing.
To start indoors, cold stratify for 60 days before sowing 2 to 3 seeds per small, individual pots or in each cell of a seed tray. Keep the soil lightly moist and at a temperature between 60 and 70°F.
Germination may be slow, with the seeds taking up to 60 days to sprout.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.