Allium porrum 'Longbow'

RHS Plant Profile
leek 'Longbow'
Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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

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