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Mystery alliums

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by JanLan, May 2, 2021.

  1. JanLan

    JanLan Apprentice Gardener

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    Does any I one have any idea what these mystery alliums are?They appeared last year and are multiplying fast in my borders. I never plant any sort of allium in borders as don’t like the untidy leaves. I left them last year but they never flowered and seem to be multiplying by tiny bulbils attached to the main bulb. Bright white with a Distinct smell of onions/garlic but unlike any onion/shallot/garlic that I have at my allotment
     

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  2. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Without seeing one in flower it's difficult to tell but I would guess, from the length of leaves and the size of bulb, that they may be Allium Nectaroscordum siculum.

    Really lovely flowers but quite invasive (understatement!). Can be kept under control if the flowers are removed before dropping seed and the bulb lifted to remove offshoots once you have enough of them.

    Yours probably came from seed either from plants nearby and brought on the wind or from birds.
     
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  3. JanLan

    JanLan Apprentice Gardener

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    Thank you but I don’t think so as never seen any flowers and would certainly have noticed these. The bulbs + tiny offsets they seem to spread from are brilliant white
     
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  4. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    I don't think they are Nectarsocordum I find these have a distinctive smell unlike an allium smell more like burnt rubber also leaves are very broad and flower stalk about 1m tall. Having said that I cannot say what you have.
    Look up three cornered leek Allium triquetrum. Hopefully not that, but check.
     
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  5. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Nectaroscordum leaves smell of garlic and its common name is Honey Garlic. When they are young plants they can have thinner leaves but I've not seen multiple bulbs before.
     
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  6. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    I've just dug up a load of Nectaroscordum and some have little bulbules :noidea:
     
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  7. JanLan

    JanLan Apprentice Gardener

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    Thank you for the suggestions - not 3 cornered allium- the best guess I have from my Lottie so far is perennial leeks! ‍♀️ Maybe I will thin them out and plant with more space to see if a leek develops!
     
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  8. JanLan

    JanLan Apprentice Gardener

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    There has never been ANY flowers
     
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