Ramsons - Allium ursinum

• Add to Pick List
• Back to search results

Ramsons - Allium ursinum
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

Ramsons or wild garlic grows from a small bulb and often spreads to form large clumps. It has broad, shiny bright-green leaves, and bares clusters of beautiful, white star-shaped flowers at the end of a long stem. Ramsons can be found in damp woods, scrub, hedges and on shady banks, where its garlicky aroma will fill the air. To some, this is preferable to expensive perfume but the common names for this plant which have stuck - like stink bombs and stinking nanny - suggest that 'garlicophiles' ought to try and counter these slanders with something more suitable. What about springtime appetiser? Ramsons fans are invited to send suggestions to English Nature! The leaves are edible but have a suprisingly mild flavour. This is an excellent plant for ground cover in a wet corner of the garden.

Animals

Aphids, Bees and wasps, Flies

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, April to June
Moisture	(Average)
Sunlight	(Part-shade)
Origin	Native