International Flower Bulb Centre
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Allium ampeloprasum
Plant Common Name
American Flag Leek, Broadleaf Wild Leek
General Description
Grown for its showy flower heads on tall stems, this ancestor of the cultivated leek is a bulbous perennial from stony or sandy habitats in northern Africa, southern Europe, Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus. It may also be the parent of elephant garlic.
Growing from a rounded, yellowish, edible bulb that produces numerous offsets, this ornamental onion has long, grass-like leaves that clasp the base of the tall solitary flowering stem. A large spherical umbel of pink, purplish red, or white flowers crowns the stem in late spring and early summer, attracting bees and butterflies. The umbels sometimes contain small bulbs, known as bulbils. The leaves shrivel before the flowers open. Small papery tan capsules follow the flowers, containing black seeds.
Plant this bulb in full sun and fertile, well drained soil at a depth of two or three times its width. This ornamental onion is a natural for the herb or vegetable garden, but also works well in purely ornamental plantings. Its variety babingtonii bears numerous bulbils, some of which flower while still in the umbel.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-5' / 0.6m - 1.5m
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Width
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa, Western Asia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Red, Purple, Pink, Lavender
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Fruit Color
Tan, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
