Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Nodding Onion - TreeTime.ca

Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Nodding Onion

Ratibida columnifera

Allium cernuum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Upright Prairie Coneflower
Nodding Onion

Upright Prairie Coneflower is a native perennial wildflower known for its vibrant flowers, which range from golden yellow to dark rust-red with yellow edges. Rising on tall, slender stems, the flowers’ drooping petals surround a central cone. They bloom from midsummer into fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. After blooming, the florets on the cone eventually develop into seeds, which provide a food source for birds.

Its upright growth habit allows it to grow in clusters, creating a striking display. Due to its deep taproot, Upright Prairie Coneflower is drought tolerant, making it well suited to dry areas and xeriscape gardens. Low-maintenance and deer-resistant, this wildflower is a great choice for adding vibrant color and ecological value to any landscape.

As a perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter, it will regrow from the base in the spring. Avoid disturbing the crown during late winter to ensure healthy growth the following season.

Nodding Onion is a native perennial wildflower known for its nodding clusters of flowers that range in color from white to pink to purple. The lightly scented blooms provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, especially bees, which can collect while hanging upside down, a capability most other insects lack.

The narrow, grass-like leaves of the Nodding Onion can be used as a seasoning in cooked dishes, though bulbs and raw leaves should not be eaten in large quantities. All parts of the plant have an onion-like aroma when bruised, which helps deter deer and rabbits. They can self-seed readily, so removing spent blooms helps manage their spread. Tolerant of a range of soils, including alkaline, it is well-suited for a variety of plantings, including pollinator gardens and naturalization projects.

Upright Prairie Coneflower Quick Facts

Nodding Onion Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to spreading, clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - high
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: raw leaves and bulbs can be midly toxic
Foliage: smells of onion when crushed, edible
Flowers: golden yellow sometimes with red-brown; has long central cone
Flowers: white, pink, or purple nodding clusters
Bloom time: early summer to early fall
Bloom time: late spring to summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Other Names: long-headed coneflower, prairie coneflower, red-spike mexican-hat, yellow prairie coneflower
Other Names: ladys leek, nodding wild onion