1 named cultivar

‘White Flag’Canada Onion

bulb corm tuberN. America Native

Canada Onion

Allium canadense

$34.46

The Story

Plant Bio

Allium canadense, meadow garlic, is a small bulbous perennial native to Canada and the eastern and central United States, reaching eight to eighteen inches. Slender grass-like leaves rise from the bulb in spring, and dome-shaped umbels of fragrant pink to white star-shaped flowers open in late spring. Many umbels also carry small bulbils, which drop and root to form new plants.

It reproduces two ways at once — by seed and by those aerial bulbils — which is why a single plant becomes a colony and why it is treated as a weed in lawns and pasture. The whole plant smells and tastes of onion, and while people can eat it in moderation, it is toxic to dogs, cats and livestock, and taints the milk of cattle that graze it.

Uses & Benefits:

Fragrant pink-white domed umbels above fine grassy foliage in late spring.

Edible in moderation, with an onion-garlic flavour in leaves and bulbs.

Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; bulbs are eaten by wild turkeys.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

14 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Canada and the central and eastern United States

Toxicity

Toxic to pets and livestock

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Nature Hills

In Stock$34.46

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil.
Choose full sun to partial shade.
Set bulbs about two inches deep and a few inches apart.
Water sparingly; it tolerates drought once established.
Deadhead before bulbils drop if you want to limit spread.
Lift and divide congested clumps every few years.

Pro Tip

Cut the heads off before the bulbils ripen — once they drop and root, hand-weeding rarely gets ahead of it.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in free-draining soil and full sun ☀️
Deadhead before bulbils drop 🌸
Keep it away from grazing animals and pets 🐕
Use it in meadow and naturalised planting 🌱

Don't

Let it seed into a lawn or pasture ❌
Let dogs or cats eat any part of it ❌
Plant it in a formal border expecting it to stay put ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Meadow and naturalised plantingEarly pollinator patchWild edge and rough grass

Companion Plants

Wild Bergamot Butterfly Weed Little Bluestem Black-Eyed Susan Prairie Dropseed

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Canada Onion questions

What zones can Canada Onion grow in?

Canada Onion is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Canada Onion deer resistant?

Yes — Canada Onion is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Canada Onion bloom?

Canada Onion typically blooms in late spring to summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Canada Onion need full sun?

Canada Onion does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Canada Onion drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Canada Onion handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.