Wild Garlic: The Controversial Culinary Garden Addition
Wild garlic has quite the reputation among gardeners – some love it, others consider it a persistent weed that’s nearly impossible to eliminate. This perennial herb brings a unique garlic-onion flavor to the garden and kitchen, but comes with some important considerations every gardener should know before planting.
What Is Wild Garlic?
Wild garlic (Allium vineale) is a perennial forb, meaning it’s an herbaceous plant that lacks significant woody tissue and returns year after year. This hardy plant produces slender, grass-like leaves and small bulblets both above and below ground, which is part of what makes it so persistent once established.
Where Does Wild Garlic Grow?
Originally native to Europe, wild garlic is now a non-native species that has naturalized extensively across North America. You’ll find it growing in an impressive range of locations, from Alaska down to Florida and from coast to coast, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, plus Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
Should You Plant Wild Garlic?
This is where things get interesting. Wild garlic sits in a gray area for many gardeners. Here’s what you need to consider:
Reasons You Might Want Wild Garlic:
- Edible leaves, bulbs, and flowers with a mild garlic flavor
- Early spring emergence provides fresh greens when little else is available
- Extremely hardy and drought tolerant once established
- Can naturalize in areas where other plants struggle
- Attractive small white or pink flowers in late spring
Reasons You Might Want to Avoid It:
- Can become quite aggressive and difficult to remove
- May crowd out native plants
- Spreads through underground bulbs and aerial bulblets
- Goes dormant in summer, leaving gaps in garden beds
- Strong onion scent when mowed can be overwhelming
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re interested in edible native plants with similar characteristics, consider these alternatives:
- Wild leek or ramps (Allium tricoccum) – native to eastern North America
- Nodding onion (Allium cernuum) – native across much of North America
- Wild chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – native to northern regions
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to grow wild garlic, it’s remarkably easy to establish:
Preferred Growing Conditions:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining soil, though adaptable to various soil types
- Moderate moisture, drought tolerant once established
- Cool season growth pattern – active in spring and fall
Planting and Care Tips:
- Plant bulbs in fall, about 2-3 inches deep
- Space bulbs 4-6 inches apart
- Minimal care required once established
- Allow foliage to die back naturally to feed the bulbs
- Harvest leaves in early spring for best flavor
- Consider container growing to control spread
Managing Wild Garlic
Whether you plant it intentionally or inherit it in your landscape, wild garlic requires some management strategies:
- Remove flower heads before they set seed to prevent aerial bulblet formation
- Dig up bulbs when soil is moist for easier removal
- Regular mowing can weaken established patches over time
- Consider it for naturalized areas rather than formal garden beds
The Bottom Line
Wild garlic can be a useful addition to the right garden situation – particularly if you enjoy foraging edible plants and don’t mind a somewhat aggressive spreader. However, its non-native status and persistent nature mean it’s worth considering native alternatives first. If you do choose to grow wild garlic, treat it with the respect you’d give any vigorous perennial, and consider keeping it contained to prevent unwanted spread into natural areas.
Remember, the best garden plants are ones that match both your gardening goals and your local ecosystem’s needs. Whether wild garlic fits that description depends entirely on your specific situation and gardening philosophy.
