This document provides information about the meadow onion (Allium unifolium), a perennial bulb native to coastal regions of central and northern California. It grows 1-3 feet tall and wide, with blue-green leaves that wither before pink or lavender flowers emerge in late spring. It reproduces through bulbs and rhizomes. The meadow onion is easy to grow and reliable if allowed to dry out in summer. It can be propagated from seed in fall/winter or by dividing and replanting bulbs in fall.

1. * Meadow Onion – Allium unifolium
(AL-ee-um yoo-nee-FOH-lee-um)
Family: Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Native to: Coastal Ranges of Central & N. CA to Santa Barbara Co.; usually in moist clay or
serpentine soils, on grassy streambanks and sea cliffs, often in open areas in pine forests.
perennial bulb
mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
A nice little native onion that grows 6-18 inches tall and about 12 inches wide. Strappy, blue-green
leaves wither before the flowers emerge. Plant dies back to ground after blooming. Reproduces by
creating new bulbs on short rhizomes (older bulbs will die after flowering).
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in late spring – usually April-May (but may be June) for about 3 weeks.
Flowers in loose bunches (umbels). Flowers are a lovely rose-pink to lavender-pink. A very nice
color that looks nice with other pink, blue & purple spring flowers. Flowers star-shaped, typical for
onions. Makes a very nice spring cut-flower – flowers are sweetly fragrant.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Often used as a bulb for naturalizing – will spread in the garden. Great choice
for dry mixed beds or tucked around native shrubs. Super container plant; nice addition to rock
gardens or with summer-dry ferns, grasses. Bulbs are edible, so consider for the vegetable garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ornamental onions.
Attracts: Good butterfly habitat (nectar source).
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade.
Any well-drained soil including clays; any local pH
Likes to dry out after blooming, but can take a little summer water (Zone 1 or 1-2)
Fine with organic amendments, organic mulches; can take ½ strength fertilizer.
Management:
Pretty easy bulb to grow. Reliable if allowed to dry out in summer.
Propagation: from seed: easy in fall/winter
by bulbs: dig up in fall; divide & replant
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 9, 13, 18
3/26/11
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