NODDING ONION SEEDS

Allium cernuum

Perennial onion native to North America. Marketed today as a mere ornamental, this very edible onion was a common foodstuff of Native Americans. Looking very much like a pretty pink bunching onion, the flavor is considered by some to be superior to that of Allium fistulosum or Allium cepa. Especially tasty when roasted.

Somewhat rare, even endangered, in its natural habitat, it is advisable to cultivate this species in your garden rather than forage. Alliums are very nearly pest-proof, and Allium cernuum will even naturalize, if allowed to, in a diverse range of environments, adapting to almost any soil type and exposure. Only very excessive moisture and extreme drought will deter their proliferation.

Allium cernuum is hardy to zone 3!

It is advised by almost every other source to stratify these seeds before sowing. Per the literature, seeds should require 8 weeks of cold before germinating. I have had excellent luck with germination at 70F without stratification. It may be worth attempting culture similar to annual alliums before bothering to stratify. Prick out germinated seeds and transplant into flats, and proceed with stratification for any remaining seeds. Or sow outdoors in autumn.

Packet contains at least 100 seeds.