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Allium ursinum (Ramsons)
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Allium ursinum
Other names
Ramsons, Allium ucrainicum, Wild leek, Wood garlic, Wild garlic, Ramsomes, Hog's garlic, Gipsy onion , Bear's garlic, Buckrams
Genus
Allium Allium
Species
A. ursinum - A. ursinum is an edible, bulbous, perennial groundcover with linear, green leaves appearing in midwinter. It has white flowers in spring and then dies down in early summer.
Allium ursinum is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage has a strong garlic fragrance
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Onion rot Onion rot
General care
Pruning
Remove leaves only after they have completely died down.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Allium ursinum (Ramsons) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Architectural, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Flower Arranging, Gravel
Cultivation
Plant bulb 5-10cm deep in early autumn in humus-rich, preferably moist soil in partial shade. Tolerates sun. Add sand or grit to heavy clay to avoid waterlogged conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Allium ursinum
Other names
Ramsons, Allium ucrainicum, Wild leek, Wood garlic, Wild garlic, Ramsomes, Hog's garlic, Gipsy onion , Bear's garlic, Buckrams
Genus
Allium Allium
Species
A. ursinum - A. ursinum is an edible, bulbous, perennial groundcover with linear, green leaves appearing in midwinter. It has white flowers in spring and then dies down in early summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage has a strong garlic fragrance
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
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Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Winter
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Pest free, may suffer from slugs on new growth.
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Remove leaves only after they have completely died down.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Allium ursinum (Ramsons) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Architectural, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Flower Arranging, Gravel
Cultivation
Plant bulb 5-10cm deep in early autumn in humus-rich, preferably moist soil in partial shade. Tolerates sun. Add sand or grit to heavy clay to avoid waterlogged conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
South, East, 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 ursinum (Ramsons)
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 ursinum (Ramsons)
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 ursinum (Ramsons)
Common pest name
Sugarbeet webworm; Weevil; Australian tomato; Weevil; vegetable
Scientific pest name
Listroderes costirostris
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
Awareness needs to be maintained due to the risk of entry as a 'hitchhiker' and monitoring of the pest in countries where it is known to be present.
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: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Allium ursinum
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