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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