Geyer's Onion

Allium geyeri

Also known as: bulbil onion

Native to:
Canada, United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Genus:
Allium
Species:
Allium geyeri
USDA Symbol:
ALGE

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Geophyte
Height:
50 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
white, pink

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts readily from bulbs after fire. Found in fire-maintained prairie and meadow ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to open, rocky slopes and meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification. Can also be propagated by bulb offsets or bulbils produced in the inflorescence.

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: The Allium geyeri can be found throughout North America; from prairies to mid elevations in the mountains. The propagation protocol does not provide specific details on germination rate, temperature, or time range.

Source: npn.rngr.net

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires darkness.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society