Allium cepa Aggregatum Group
shallot
A perennial plant, often grown as cultivated annual, with linear, hollow leaves and pink or red flowers. This group, commonly knows as shallots, has been selected for milder and sweeter flavour. Bulbs usually grown in a cluster and are up to 5cm large. Many named cultivars of shallots are available, varying in colour, shape and size
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Brown | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture retentive, but well-drained soil in full sun. Yellowing and toppling of the foliage is a sign that the shallots are reaching maturity. Lift and store in a cool dry place. See how to grow: shallots for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by onion sets. See how to grow: onions or sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
Not required
Pests
May be susceptible to onion fly, leek moth and narcissus eelworm
Diseases
May be susceptible to onion white rot, onion downy mildew, leek rust and onion neck rot. Bolting, producing flowers, may be a problem
Get involved
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