Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: nodding onion, ajo-cebolla

Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)

Distribution: North America

Habitat: Prairies, montane, riparian zones

Hardiness: USDA Zone 6 (-10 to 0 °F)

Life form: Geophyte (bulb, corm or tuber)

Occurrence in New Mexico: New Mexico native plant

Growing Conditions: A. cernuum is widely distributed on moist soils in mountainous regions at elevations from 2,000-10,000 feet, and in remnants of prairies. It is also found along railroads, stream-banks, and rocky hillsides. In the cultivated landscape, it is a good choice for rock gardens, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. It is easily grown in average, dry to moist soil in full sun to light shade. It grows best in full sun, but light afternoon shade is good in hot summer climates. Well-drained sandy loam is ideal. It thrives in neutral soils but tolerates alkaline calcareous soils. Plants are easily propagated by seed in spring or bulb division in autumn, and will naturalize in the garden.

Description: One or more flowering stalks emerge from a tuft of erect or arching, linear and flattened basal leaves, which are up to 12 inches long and 1/3 inch wide. The flowering stalks are up to 1 ½ foot tall, terminating in 1 ½-2 inch wide umbels of 40-60 white, lavender or pink ¼ inch flowers. The bulbs and foliage have a typical onion-like scent.