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Submit a photoNodding Onion
Allium cernuum
A graceful native onion of Alberta's grasslands and open woods, with grass-like blue-green leaves and nodding umbels of pink to rose-purple bell-shaped flowers in midsummer. All parts are edible with a strong onion flavour — bulbs, leaves, and flowers can all be used. Reliably hardy to Zone 3 and pollinator-friendly. Do not confuse with toxic Death Camas when harvesting: Nodding Onion smells like onion; Death Camas does not.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Grasslands, Parkland, Foothills, Zone 3
Light
Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time
July–Aug
Soil
Moist, well-drained; tolerates drought once established
Water
Moderate
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Seed with 30 days cold moist stratification, or divide mature clumps every 3 years (once 8–10 bulbs form). Also propagates by separating side bulblets.
Spacing
15–30 cm
Always verify plant identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. This information is for educational purposes only.
