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ALLIUMS

macfallmacfall Posts: 34
in Problem solving
Unfortunately I bought some white Alliums, which have spread like mad.  They don't even flower just smell like garlic.  I keep trying to keep on top of them, by digging them up when the green leaves show.  Is there a more successful way of getting rid of them for good.  I am worried about them  taking over my other plants and bulbs.  You have been very helpful in the past with your advice.  So hopefully you can help me this time.
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  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Is it this one @macfall?
    https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/three-cornered-garlic
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • macfallmacfall Posts: 34
    No I don't think so, there are no seed heads, and also the leaves are tall and very floppy.  Thanks for your prompt reply
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Sounds like the one that I have. I just keep digging it out when it appears, and pulling / hoeing the leaves if I can't dig because it's in the roots of something else. Basically the same treatment as the spanish bluebells get.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @macfall I'm not sure there is alot you can do other than trying to dig them up and if they do flower take off the heads. The problem is the bulb comes out but tiny bulbils are left behind. There is a thread' Trying to identify a plant'. You could type in at the top for information. The plants turn out to be Muscari rather than allium but I still think this would be helpful to you.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Allium paradoxum is one of the thug, white flowered Alliums.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
     I have done battle with is the three cornered leek Allium triquetrum £4.99 for five seed pods on line. Best avoided unless you want a field of it.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited February 2023
    Are you sure it isn't the wild garlic -allium ursinum?
    Odd if they haven't flowered though.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited February 2023
    The two natives are Ransoms and Three-cornered Leek, qv.  It is likely to be the latter.  Inthe UK you could be fined for allowing it to spead beyonf your garden.

    ... so damaging to the environment they're actually illegal to grow in the UK.
    • JAPANESE KNOTWEED. Status: Illegal to allow Japanese Knotweed to spread in the UK. ... 
    • GIANT HOGWEED. ... 
    • HIMALYAN BALSAM. ... 
    • NEW ZEALAND PYGMYWEED. ... 
    • THREE-CORNERED GARLIC. ... 
    • RHODODENDRON PONTICUM.

    I have it, it speads likr mad.  There are a lot in Cornwall; they look like white bluebells.

    Stopping it from seeding, and constantly forking and pulling is th onlly way to contol.  If it helps to compensate for the effoert.try eating it.  It was fteature on last night's Britain's Best Chef, as "pickled wild leek".  Sounds delicious.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    If you bought them after flowering that might be why you haven't seen flowers. Some of the smaller bulbs or the tiny bulbils may not be of a size that they are able to flower.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    macfall said:
    No I don't think so, there are no seed heads, and also the leaves are tall and very floppy.  Thanks for your prompt reply
    Have there ever been any flowers?  How are they spreading?
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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