Allium cernuum, commonly known as nodding onion or lady’s leek, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats across North America, including dry, open woods, grasslands, and rocky outcrops. It is particularly adapted to well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. This species is characterized by its unique nodding habit, where the flower heads bend gracefully at the top of the stems. It typically grows from an unsheathed elongated conical bulb which tapers directly into several keeled, grass-like leaves that are 2–4 millimeters wide. Each mature bulb produces a single flowering stem that culminates in a downward nodding umbel of white or rose, campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers, which are particularly showy during their bloom time in July and August.

The nodding onion is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is often used in naturalistic plantings, rock gardens, and borders. The plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Additionally, Allium cernuum is edible, with a flavor similar to chives, and can be used in culinary applications. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to onion fly and thrips. It is also worth noting that this plant can self-seed and spread, which should be considered when planting in smaller gardens or where invasiveness might be a concern.CC BY-SA 4.0