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Wild Garlic Bulbs (Allium ursinum)
Price range: £16.80 through £6,960.00 inc VAT
Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum), also known as Ramsons, is one of the most distinctive spring plants of British woodland — dense, lush green foliage emerging from late winter, followed by bright white starry flowers from April through to June. When in leaf, the plants fill shaded areas with a rich, fresh garlic scent that drifts through woodland on still spring days.
It is a vigorous coloniser in the right conditions — damp, shaded ground in deciduous woodland, along hedgerow banks, by streams, and under scrub. On suitable sites it spreads freely by bulb offset and seed, forming dense, weed-suppressing carpets that are one of the most effective natural ground covers for challenging shaded areas. It dies back completely by midsummer, leaving the ground clear.
The leaves are edible and popular in seasonal cooking — mild, fresh garlic flavour — and can be harvested lightly without harming the colony. Best used fresh in spring before the flowers open.
Plant in autumn at 3–5cm depth in moist, humus-rich soil. Partial to full shade under deciduous canopy is ideal. Avoid dry or exposed positions. Plant in groups of 10 or more for best establishment. Wild Garlic is not suitable for open meadow or sunny positions — it is strictly a woodland and shade plant.
UK native species. Sourced from reputable UK suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Wild Garlic grow best?
Wild Garlic thrives in damp, shaded conditions — deciduous woodland, hedgerow banks, stream margins, and under scrub. It is not suitable for open, sunny, or dry positions. On suitable sites it spreads freely by bulb offset and seed, forming dense weed-suppressing carpets. It dies back completely by midsummer.
Are Wild Garlic leaves edible?
Yes — the leaves are edible and popular in spring cooking, with a mild, fresh garlic flavour. They are best harvested before the flowers open in April, while the leaves are young and at their most tender. Harvest lightly from established colonies without removing more than a third of the foliage at once.
When and how do I plant Wild Garlic bulbs?
Plant in autumn at 3 to 5cm depth in moist, humus-rich soil in a shaded position. Plant in groups of 10 or more for best establishment — Wild Garlic naturalises most effectively in larger drifts. Partial to full shade under deciduous canopy is ideal. Avoid dry or exposed positions entirely.
Will Wild Garlic spread on its own once established?
Yes — on suitable ground Wild Garlic is a vigorous self-spreader, expanding by bulb offset and self-seeding to form dense colonies over time. This makes it an excellent ground cover for difficult shaded areas, though on very rich, moist soils it can spread vigorously and should be sited with that in mind.
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Flowers: April – June
Height: Up to 50cm
Bulb size: S1
Origin: UK native