Allium cernuum (Lady’s Leek)

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 average, dry 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, borders, rock 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.