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Prairie Onion

Allium stellatum

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium to Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Aug
Bloom color
Purple

About Prairie Onion

Prairie Onion is a late-blooming gem that brings a burst of vibrant color to the autumn landscape when many other plants have begun to fade. Unlike its nodding cousin, Prairie Onion features upright, globe-like clusters of star-shaped, deep pink to lavender flowers that bloom in August and September. Native to dry prairies and rocky outcroppings of the central United States, this resilient perennial is perfectly adapted to harsh, sunny conditions. It typically grows 8 to 18 inches tall and features narrow, gray-green foliage that remains attractive throughout the season. The flowers are highly attractive to late-season butterflies and bees, providing essential forage before winter. Prairie Onion is a superb choice for rock gardens or dry-mesic prairies, as it requires full sun and well-drained soil. It is remarkably drought-tolerant once established and, like most onions, is naturally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits.

Native range

Native to 15 states:

ArkansasIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNorth DakotaOklahomaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasWisconsinWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Allium stellatum

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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