Wild Garlic ( Allium ursinum ) is a perennial herb and is part of the same family as garlic and onions. It is native to moist woodland areas of the British Isles and Europe. All parts of the Allium ursinum are edible and have a distinct garlic taste & smell, however, is not as strong or pungent as common garlic. Apart from its culinary uses, Wild Garlic also has many health and medicinal qualities.
There are many common names for Wild Garlic, the most popular being Ramsons. Some of the others are Bear’s Garlic, Broad Leaf Garlic, Wood Garlic, Gypsy Onion, Bear’s Leek and Wild Leek.
Another easy to grow perennial with a garlic flavour is the Allium tuberosum or Garlic Chives.
Growth
As a plant the Allium ursinum is quite beautiful. It can form large colonies in its native regions and really is a beautiful sight, especially when they are flowering. For this reason, it is sometimes used as an ornamental and border plant, however plants die back and go dormant over the summer months. Can be grown in Pots / Containers.
Wild Garlic grows to around 15-30 cm’s tall. It has long bright green leaves that have a single deep vein and when crushed a garlic aroma is released. The spring blooming edible flowers are white, star like with 6 petals and are approximately 1.5-2 cm’s in diameter. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and are a great addition to salads, use the flowers as well, as a tasty decoration for salads and meals. Wild Garlic bulbs are small but are also edible, as are the flower stems.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Amaryllidaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical (in shaded, moist location)
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-28 to 32°C / -18 to 90°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil should be nutrient rich and well-draining but should be kept moist. In a nice shady spot this generally isn’t too much of an issue. This species can be found growing in quite wet areas.
LOCATION:
Full Shade, Part Shade, Dappled Shade. Can grow in full sun in colder climates.
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 cm’s (1 foot)
WIDTH:
Up to 30 cm’s (1 foot)
pH:
5.8-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bee & Insect Pollinated – Bisexual (both male and female parts are found on the same flower)
MATURITY:
2-3 years
GERMINATION RATES:
55-85% dependent on stage of dormancy.
GERMINATION TIME:
Cold stratification over winter or in fridge. Germination is sporadic and seeds can remain dormant for long periods. Although germination can be seen as early as 2-3 weeks in older seeds, fresh seeds can take up to 12 months! If we work out a better method to help break germination quicker – we will update this listing.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium to Hard. Patience is needed.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 250
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes, but fairly slow growing and can take years to spread. This species dies back over summer allowing other plants to grow.
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year.
FACTS ABOUT ALLIUM URSINUM (Wild Garlic)
Allium ursinum spreads via rhizomes and self-seeding which form groups of plants called colonies.
Milk from cows that graze in paddocks of Wild Garlic tastes slightly of garlic. The subsequent butter was very popular in Switzerland.
