Allium scorodoprasum aka Spanish Garlic

Allium scorodoprasum is a bulbous perennial in the Amaryllidaceae family. Its common names include sand leek, giant garlic and Spanish garlic. Its native range spans Europe to the Caucasus and Israel. The RHS also lists it as native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in temperate regions, including grassland and scrub with dry soil.

This plant forms clumps and loses its leaves each year. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. Their spread ranges from 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. They reach full size within one to two years. The narrow, grasslike leaves are mid-green and die back during flowering. Purple flowers open in umbels in early summer. Each flower has a long, thin stalk. Small bulbils form at the base of the umbels. These help the plant spread and can make it troublesome.

Grow it in full sun and fertile soil that drains well. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Chalk, loam and sand suit it. It can grow in moist soil but also withstands drought. Heavy clay that stays wet in winter poses a problem. The RHS suggests containers where these conditions occur. It has an RHS hardiness rating of H6. PFAF lists USDA zones 6–9. It suits coastal plots, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens and wildflower meadows.

The bulbs and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The bulbs measure about 0.4–0.8 inches [1–2 centimetres] across. They taste milder than garlic and can replace it in dishes. Both bulbs and leaves can add flavour to salads and soups. Raw flowers can serve as a salad garnish. PFAF records traditional medicinal uses, but this does not establish safe or effective treatment. It also records plant juice as a moth repellent. The supplied evidence gives no confirmed poisoning reports for this species.

Possible pests include allium leaf miner and onion fly. Onion white rot and onion downy mildew may also occur. Little pruning is needed beyond clearing dead leaves and spent stems. Sow seed when ripe or in spring. Offsets offer another way to raise new plants. Lift bulbs after flowering to detach these with care. Watch the bulbils, since they can spread the plant beyond its intended space.