Allium ampeloprasum

Also Known As

Broadleaf Leek
Elephant Garlic
Ornamental Onion
Spanish Allium

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 18"-48"
W: 9"-12"

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Allium ampeloprasum plant details

Allium ampeloprasum is a broadleaf deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial bulb / corm / tuber or fruit / vegetable with green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Features glaucous and grassy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Allium ampeloprasum

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber or fruit / vegetable
Plant family: amaryllidaceae
Foliage: deciduous or semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 9 IN - 12 IN - wide, 18 IN - 48 IN - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: culinary, easy-to-grow, edible, medicinal

GROWING CONDITIONS for Allium ampeloprasum

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum is known as elephant garlic. It resembles classic garlic (Allium sativum) but produces much larger heads that are milder in flavour. Eat it raw or roasted, baked, or sauteed. Plant in fall and harvest in mid to late summer.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Native to many parts of the Baltic region, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine and parts of Africa, this member of the onion family is best known as wild leek or broadleaf wild leek. For most, Ampelopressum is grown for consumption; the bulbs (giant garlic), stems (leeks) and foliage (kurrat) are all edible. Flowers, which appear in year two and beyond, are pale pink and ball-shaped like those of other alliums.