Allium unifolium

Allium unifolium

Allium unifolium

Allium unifolium

Allium unifolium Bulb

Botanical Name: Allium unifolium
Common Name: Pink Meadow Onion, One-leaf Onion

Large and ornamental onion good for meadows and rock gardens. Native to grassy streambanks of Northern California, it thrives in moist, heavy soil. Tolerates clay soil, some shade and summer water. Uncommon.

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Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae

Plant Type: Bulb

Height by Width: 2' H

Growth Habit: Clumps of grass-like leaves

Deciduous/Evergreen: Summer dormant

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Preference: Adaptable, prefers clay

Water Requirements: Infrequent to occasional

Cold Hardy to:

Flower Season: Spring/Summer

Flower Color: Pink and white

Endangered?:

Distribution: Northwestern and Central Western CA

Natural Habitat: Moist clay or serpentine, especially grassy streambanks

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Care and Maintenance

Plant the base of the bulb at a depth three times the height of the bulb. Stop watering once the leaves begin to turn brown, but keep leaves on the plant until they turn completely brown. There is no obvious top or bottom to this bulb. Look for a small seam and plant that side down in the soil. The roots and shoots will emerge from this seam and find their way in the right direction.

History

Other Names

References

• Bornstein, Carol, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien. California Native Plants for the Garden. Los Olivos, CA: Cachuma Press. 2005.
• Harlow, Nora and Kristin Jakob. Wild Lilies, Irises, and Grasses: Gardening with California Monocots. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. 2003.

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