Commonly known as Prairie Onion, Autumn Onion, Cliff Onion, and Glade Onion.
A bulbous perennial which typically grows 12-18″ tall. Features clumps of flat, narrow, grass-like leaves (to 12″ tall) and tiny, starry, bell-shaped, reddish-pink flowers which appear in rounded clusters (umbels) atop erect, leafless scapes rising slightly above the foliage. Blooms in mid to late summer. Leaves often die back by the time of flowering. Leaves and flower scapes rise directly from the bulbs. All parts of this plant have an oniony smell when cut or bruised. Although the bulbs and leaves of this plant were once used in cooking (stews) or eaten raw, this species of allium is not generally considered to be of culinary value today. Bulbs were also used by early Americans as cough/cold remedies and as insect repellants.
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Best in full sun, but appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as Texas. Best in rocky or sandy soils. Plants will naturalize by self-seeding and bulb offsets in optimum growing conditions. Deadhead flowers before seed set to help control any unwanted spread. Foliage persists to the time of or slightly past flowering in summer before dying back.
Height: 1′-1.5′ Spread: 6″-12″ Bloom: July-September Light: Part Shade-Dappled Shade (in Texas) Water: Low-Medium Zone: 3-8 Origin: Texas, Central North America
