Nodding Onion (Allium)

Cute isnt a word that comes to mind when most folks hear onion, but Nodding Onion is out to change that. This petite wild onion delights in early summer with purple, star-like clusters of fuzzy-looking flowers. Each is fixed to a stalk that bends towards the ground right at its top, providing the inspiration for the plants common name. Native all the way from New York State to New Mexico and Oregon, dont let this little onion fool you, either: its highly adaptable, succeeding in most gardens with good seasonal spring moisture and tolerates both periodic drought and saturation with ease. This species is unbothered by clay soils and self-sows in favorable sites. Excellent in perennial borders and meadow gardens and makes a unique and attractive cut flower.