Allium ursinum - Wild garlic - 4 bulbs - € 7

Wild garlic is a very attractive spring-flowering perennial which may be grown for both ornamental and culinary uses.  It would be perfectly placed in a woodland garden, enjoying moist but well drained soil best.   The appearance of its leaves in mid winter are a welcome addition to the kitchen, giving valuable nutrition when little else in the way of fresh edible leaves are available. It grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile making it  an excellent companion plant although it inhibits the growth of legumes. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Much of Europe, including Britain.
  • native habitat: Damp soils in woods
  • family: Alliaceae

Predators

  • Mildew 
  • Rust and leaf spots may appear.
  • People over picking the leaves 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA : 4 - 8
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Prefers well drained soil
  • Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer
  • Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes


Known hazards 

  • There have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of this plant. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible

Overview

 
  • Bulbous perennial growing to 0.3 m by 0.3 m.
  • It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and other insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) and prefers well-drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in full shade semi-shade or no shade.
  • Prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Bulbous perennial 
  • layer : Ground Layer
  • habit: Species can spread invasively by rhizomes and self-seeding, and over time and in the right conditions can carpet a large area
  • height x width (m): 0.3 x 0.3

Products 

  • Bulbs: Can be harvested at any time the plant is dormant from early summer to early winter. The bulbs can be up to 4cm long and 1cm in diameter and have a fairly strong garlic flavour.
  • Leaf: excellent in salads and omelettes and are often available from mid winter.
  • Flowers: Delicate white flowers that have a strong flavour and also add decorative value to dishes.
  • Repellent : The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent and can also be rubbed onto the skin to repel insects and moths
  • Medicinal: Wild garlic has an incredibly wide range of beneficial actions on the body and when eaten (especially raw) on a regular basis will promote general health

Functions, behaviours

  • When growing in suitable conditions, wild garlic forms a dense carpet of growth in the spring and can be a very invasive plant
  • Easily grown in rich, moist but well-drained loams
  • The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply
  • Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project