Allium cernuum (Nodding Pink Onion)

Allium cernuum (Nodding Pink Onion) is a herbaceous perennial in the Amaryllidaceae (onion) family, native to North America, where it grows wild in prairies, meadows, rocky slopes, and open woods. It grows from an exposed, long conical bulb, each producing a single leafless flowering stem surrounded by slender, grass-like leaves (6–12 inches long) that emerge from the base.

Nodding Pink Onion reaches 12–18 inches tall, occasionally up to 24 inches, and forms clumps over time. Atop each stem, a delicate arch holds clusters of nodding, bell-shaped pink or occasionally white flowers, with prominent yellow pollen and anthers. This characteristic downward droop helps shield nectar from rain. These blooms, which appear in midsummer through early fall, are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable plant for supporting pollinators.

All parts of the plant have a mild onion flavor and are edible, traditionally used by Native Americans for food and, in some cases, medicine. The scent and taste also make the plant resistant to deer and rabbits. Nodding Pink Onion is easy to grow, drought tolerant once established, and thrives in full sun to partial shade in well-drained or moderately moist soils, adapting to a range of conditions. It is ideal for wildflower gardens, cottage plantings, rock gardens, and naturalistic landscapes where its showy nodding flowers create a stunning, unique visual effect.