Nodding Onion
Nodding onion (Allium cernuum) is a Wisconsin native, perennial wildflower. It typically grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches. Its small flowers, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter, form in clusters that nod or droop, and are usually pink to lavender in color. Each cluster can have up to 30 individual flowers. The leaves are long, slender, and grass-like, measuring 6 to 12 inches in length and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in width. They grow from the base of the plant and have a smooth texture. Nodding onion is commonly found in prairies, open woods, and rocky slopes, preferring well-drained soils and areas with full sun to partial shade, and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Nodding onion grows from a bulb and forms clumps over time. It blooms in mid to late summer and can be propagated either by seed or by dividing bulbs and offsets in spring or fall. Seeds require cold stratification to germinate successfully. Maintenance is minimal, though removing spent flower heads can help control self-seeding if desired. The bulbs, leaves, and flower stalks are edible, though they have a strong, bitter flavor. Indigenous peoples have used the plant for both food and medicinal purposes. Its name comes from the distinctive drooping habit of its flower clusters. (July)