Allium ampeloprasum

Levant garlic
Blooms in summer with spherical umbels of small, tightly-packed, pale purple flowers. Height to around 1m
Other common names
blue leekelephant garlic
see moregreat-headed garlic
kurrat
pearl onion
vine leek
wild leek
Synonyms
Allium halleriAllium porrum subsp. euampeloprasum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple | |||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Bulbs may aggravate skin allergies. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- S. Europe, Caucasus, Iran, Turkey, N. Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Add grit when grown in clay soils to improve drainage. See allium cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sowing in containers in a cold frame when just ripe or in the spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Onion white rot and a downy mildew may occur
Get involved
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