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Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum

Named for the ways its flowers “nod” towards the ground, Nodding Onion grows well in a sunny and moist conditions. It spreads easily by seed and bulb offshoots. A favorite for bees.

USDA symbol: ALCE2

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 to 2 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorPink
Nodding Onion (Nodding Onion<div><em class="small">Allium cernuum</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceHigh
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJune to July
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard
Coefficient of Conservatism4
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyFillmore, Mower, Olmsted, Winona
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands