Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum
$29.99
$34.99
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Ships the week of September 28.
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3 Plants
$10.00/plant
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6 Plants
$9.17/plant
32-Plant Tray
32 Plants
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flower
Sourced ecologically
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Delivered to Your Door
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Easy Planting
About this Plant

Nodding Onion is one of North America’s most distinctive native wildflowers, beloved for its downward-facing clusters of pink to lavender flowers that seem to bow gently from slender stems. Blooming in mid- to late summer, it rises above narrow blue-green foliage with a delicate, whimsical form that works beautifully in prairie plantings, rock gardens, sunny borders, and pollinator beds.

Beyond its charm, Nodding Onion provides valuable summer nectar for native bees, small butterflies, and beneficial insects, helping bridge the gap between spring blooms and the big fall pollinator push. Growing just 12–18 inches tall, it forms tidy clumps, tolerates drought once established, and fits easily into both formal and naturalistic native gardens.

Why Choose Nodding Onion?

  • Unique nodding flower clusters add movement and character
  • Supports native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
  • Blooms in summer, helping fill a seasonal nectar gap
  • Compact size works well in borders, rock gardens, and prairie plantings
  • Drought-tolerant and easy to grow in well-drained soils

Plant in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil, and avoid overly wet sites. Leave seedheads if you’d like gentle reseeding, or trim after bloom for a tidier look.

Maintenance Tips
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  • Consider deadheading spent flowers to prevent excessive spread by seedlings
  • Seedlings may need to be removed to control spread
  • Note that the leaves of Nodding Onion die back in summer after flowering is complete. This is not cause for concern but rather part of the normal annual changes this plant undergoes.
Details
Soil Types
-
Soil Moisture
-
Sun Exposure
-
Hardiness Zone
USDA 3–8
Plant Type
Flower
Mature Height
-
Mature Width
-
Bloom Color
White, Pink
Bloom Time
-
Root Type
Bulb
Nodding Onion
$29.99$34.99
Ecological Benefits
Deer Resistant
Less likely to be browsed by deer.
Attracts Pollinators
Provides nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators.
Attracts Butterflies
A nectar source that draws butterflies throughout the season.

What Folks Are Saying

“It's like following a recipe. Choosing from multiple designs is fun.” - Kari
A woman and her daughter looking at a newly planted garden
“The process from the website to getting the plants, could not have been easier or more seamless.” - Justin
a man standing in front of his home
“I can't believe that we are the house with this beautiful garden.” - Howard
a newly planted garden and a man holding a sign
“I've never planted anything in my life. And this was actually quite fun.” - Steve
a man laying out small potted plants in a prepared bed