Overview
Allium cernuum is a plant with a clump-forming habit in the genus Allium, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Allium cernuum grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers, dried flowers and architectural planting.
About
Allium cernuum, known as nodding onion or lady's leek, is a perennial plant in the genus Allium. It grows in open areas in North America.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium cernuum
About the genus
Allium is a large genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants with 1112 accepted species, making Allium the largest genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and among the largest plant genera in the world. Many of the species are edible, and some have a long history of cultivation and human consumption such as the onion, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives.
Wikipedia contributors, "Allium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Allium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Allium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Allium cernuum size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Borders, Cut flowers, Dried flowers, Architectural planting
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Allium cernuum
- Propagation
- Offsets, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Allium leaf miner, Onion fly
- Disease resistance
- Onion white rot, Onion downy mildew, Leek rust
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Allium cernuum?
Allium cernuum prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Allium cernuum need?
Allium cernuum is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, sand and chalk. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Allium cernuum hardy in the UK?
Allium cernuum has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Allium cernuum?
Offsets, Seed.
More in the Allium genus
- Allium 'Judith'
- Allium 'Summer Beauty'
- Allium cepa 'Goldito'
- Allium christophii (albopilosum)Star of Persia
- Allium hookeri 'Zorami'Hooker Chives
- Allium phanerantherumconspicuous-anthered garlic
- Allium 'Millenium'
- Allium schmitzii