Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Babington's leek)

Botanical name

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii

Other names

Babington's leek

Genus

Allium Allium

Species

A. ampeloprasum var. babingtonii - A. ampeloprasum var. babingtonii is a tufted, bulbous perennial, grown as an ornamental or an annual vegetable crop, with edible bulbs and stems supporting upright to arching, strap-shaped, grey-green leaves and slender, erect stems bearing spherical heads of lilac-pink flowers in summer.

Native to

England, Ireland

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

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Colour

Flower

Lilac-pink in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Eelworm (stem and bulb) , Leek moth , Onion fly

Specific diseases

Bolting , Bull neck , Downy mildew , Neck rot , Saddleback , Shanking , Smut , White rot , White tip

General care

Pruning

If growing as a crop, remove flower stems as they appear.

Propagation

Sow in a cold frame in spring. Divide in late summer or early autumn by digging up the bulb and removing the small bulblets from the base of the parent bulb. Replant immediately in a cold frame or in its final position.

Propagation methods

Sets, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Babington's leek) will reach a height of 1.8m and a spread of 0.3m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Add to salads, Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks

Cultivation

Grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun. May spread readily in ideal growing conditions. If growing as a crop, prepare ground in winter by digging in well rotted manure. Fertilise 1 week before planting. Water regularly in dry periods.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Babington's leek)

Common pest name

allium leaf miner

Scientific pest name

Phytomyza gymnostoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of Allium already present in UK and spreading; previous consultation supported awareness raising only; industry should prepare for the event of findings in commercial crops.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Babington's leek)

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Babington's leek)

Common pest name

American serpentine leaf miner; chrysanthemum leaf miner

Scientific pest name

Liriomyza trifolii

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest already subject to review at the EU level (2013). Regularly intercepted in the trade.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/