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16245 S US Hwy 71
Belton, MO 64012
Tel: (816) 331-9738
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Allium stellatum

Prairie Onion

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Allium stellatum (Prairie Onion)

This showy species is the latest blooming native onion. It is easy to identify in the field. The papery-covered bulb, pink flowers, and flat, persistent leaves are good characters. Pccurs primarily in rocky soils on limestone glades and bluff ledges.

Additional Information:
Nodding Onion is similar to this plant in size, culture and general appearance, except as the common name suggests, the flower umbel nods rather than stands erect.


Height
12-18 Inches

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Spread
6-12 Inches

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Bloom/Seasonal Color
Deep Pink / Rose


USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8

Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Best in full sun, but appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. 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. Plants are easily grown from seed which should be planted in spring or from bulbs/bulb offsets which should be planted in autumn.

Good Companions
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), June Grass (Koeleria cristata), Eastern Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa), Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

Characteristics & Attributes

Hydrologic Designation

UPL

Root

Fibrous

Season of Interest

Late (July-frost)

Soil Moisture

Average

Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Medium Sun/Average Shade

USFS MO Ecological Map