Allium ursinum
Family: Alliaceae / Liliaceae
Genus: Allium
Species: ursinum
Common Name: Ramsons, wild garlic
Allium ursinum
Unlike the more showy, ornamental Alliums, Allium ursinum is our native wild garlic and has very different needs.
Allium ursinum thrives in damp soil in woodlands and along river banks. It grows well in shade and its broad leaves add a lush foliage layer.
The pretty white flowers, like all Alliums erupt from brown papery bracts and unfold and open over a period of a few days.
As a cousin of the chive it fills the air in Spring with the aroma of garlic, which is not necessarily to the taste of everyone. However the leave are edible.
Allium ursinum is incredibly invasive, carpeting the ground in Spring. Once flowered it will quickly disappear leaving the ground clear for successive planting through the Summer.
Once you have Allium ursinum in your garden you will always have it. I would only seriously plant it in very large, suitable gardens where it can run wild without treading on the toes of other planting.
Allium ursinum at a glance
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