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Allium cernuum (Lady’s Leek)

Lady's Leek, Nodding Wild Onion

Allium Cernuum, Lady's Leek, Nodding Wild Onion, Purple Garlic, Purple Onion, Summer Bulbs, Summer Flowers, Bulbs for Mediterranean Gardens, Bulbs for Dry Gardens
Allium Cernuum, Lady's Leek, Nodding Wild Onion, Purple Garlic, Purple Onion, Summer Bulbs, Summer Flowers, Bulbs for Mediterranean Gardens, Bulbs for Dry Gardens

Native to North America, Allium cernuum (Nodding Wild Allium) is a lovely, carefree, bulbous, herbaceous perennial with loose, nodding umbels of tiny bell-shaped, pink to lilac or even white flowers. Erect, each stem produces up to 30 flowers! These blooms are nicely complemented by narrow, strap-shaped leaves that remain attractive for a reasonably long period until they die back in late summer. Blooming from late spring to mid-summer, this lovely Allium exudes an onion smell when cut or bruised.

  • Grows in clumps, up to 12-18 in. high (30-45 cm) and 3-5 in. wide (7-12 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
  • Easily grown in averagedry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Light afternoon shade is appreciated in hot summer climates and sandy soils are welcomed!
  • Attracts butterflies, but deer ignore it!
  • Stunning in beds, bordersrock gardens, cottage gardens, or city gardens. For best visual impact, plant in groups (at least 10 to 15 bulbs).
  • To be planted in spring (seed) or fall (bulbs).
  • Deadhead flowers before seed set to control any unwanted spread.
  • Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame when ripe or in the spring or remove offsets in autumn.
  • Native to North America, from New York to Michigan and British Columbia and south in the mountains and cooler regions from Arizona and North Georgia. It occurs on rocky soils in glades, bluff edges, open woods, dry meadows, and prairies.

Many hundreds of Allium species exist, but only a modest few have made a name for themselves as garden plants. The ornamental onions distinguish themselves by their great diversity in color, inflorescence, and flowering height. Many species bloom in early summer – just after the spring-flowering period and just before the exuberant full bloom of summer. All species can be used in the border. Certain small species are just perfect for a rock garden, and several lend themselves to naturalizing.

Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs


 To achieve optimum flowering results, it is important to plant the bulbs at the right time.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Amaryllidaceae
Genus Allium
Common names Onion
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 3" - 5"
(8cm - 13cm)
Spacing 10" (25cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, Michigan, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Allium cepa Aggregatum Group (Shallot)
Allium cepa (Onion)
Allium sativum (Garlic)
Allium amethystinum ‘Red Mohican’ (Ornamental Onion)
Allium ‘Ostara’ (Ornamental Allium)
Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’ (Ornamental Onion)

Recommended Companion Plants

Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)

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Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Great Rose Companion Plants: Allium
Bulbs that return to the garden year after year!
Tall Alliums for your Garden Borders
Small Allium Species for the Rock Garden
Learn How To Plant And Care for Your Spring Flower Bulbs
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Awesome Allium Combos
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Amaryllidaceae
Genus Allium
Common names Onion
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 3" - 5"
(8cm - 13cm)
Spacing 10" (25cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, South Dakota, Michigan, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Allium
Guides with
Allium
Not sure which Allium to pick?
Compare Now

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