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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Allium porrum 'Longbow'

leek 'Longbow'

A hardy perennial grown as an annual vegetable sometimes used for showing. Medium green leaves on a long shank, suitable for Autumn harvesting before the frosts set in

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Allium are bulbous herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent, linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical basal leaves and star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in an umbel on a leafless stem

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Start in modules indoors and transplant later in the year or sow seeds in March and April and transplant in early Summer. See Vegetable Cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to leek moth and birds. Protect with fleece or netting to prevent moths laying eggs

Diseases

May be susceptible to onion white rot, leek rust

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.