Alliaria petiolata
garlic mustard
A hairy biennial herb, which can be variable in height; is usually unbranched and bears heart to kidney-shaped toothed green leaves that emit a pungent garlic odour especially when crushed. Flowers are white from 3-5mm in diameter and born in terminal clusters. Seed capsules are long and slender from 20-70mm in length
Other common names
Jack-by-the-hedgegarlic root
see moregarlic wort
hedge garlic
hedge mustard
poor man's mustard
sauce-alone
Synonyms
Alliaria officinalisSisymbrium alliaria
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Alliaria can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with garlic-scented, ovate or heart-shaped leaves and racemes of small, white, 4-petalled flowers in spring
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Prefers a rich damp alluvial soil, thriving in damp shady places where few other herbs will grow. A good woodland-edge and hedgerow plant, the plant emits a strong smell of garlic which is especially pronounced if the leaves are bruised. This species is an important food source for the orange-tip and green-veined-white butterflies
Propagation
Propagate by seed as soon as ripe. If sowing in situ, it is best to sow in autumn as it requires a long period of chilling to break dormancy
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Susceptible to caterpillar damage
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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