Allium moly
| Allium moly | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 0.3' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Allium moly (common name: golden garlic)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough.
Division in spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season and the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.
Plants sometimes produces bulbils, these can be potted up as soon as they are ripe and planted out in late spring.
Cultivation: An easily grown plant[1], preferring a sunny position in a light well-drained soil[2][3]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[4].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[2].
The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -10°c[5].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[1]. The flowers are softly scented[6].
Some forms of this species, especially A. moly bulbiferum[1], produce bulbils in the flowering head[7] and can be invasive[1]. The species type is sometimes considered to be invasive, though it has not proved so with most people[1]. It is useful for naturalising between shrubs and grows well at the base of a beech hedge in a wet garden[1].
Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes[8][9][10]. It is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other[11].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[12].
Range: Europe - Mediterranean in south-western Europe and northern Africa.
Habitat: Shady rocks and screes in mountains[3]. Limestone rubble[4].
Edibility: Bulb - raw or cooked. A pleasant mild garlic flavour, when sliced it makes a very nice addition to salads and can also be used as a flavouring in cooked foods[K]. The bulbs are about 25mm in diameter[13].
Leaves - raw or cooked.
Flowers - raw. The yellow flowers make an attractive garnish on salads and have a pleasant onion flavour[K].
Medicinal: Although no specific mention of medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system[K].
Usage: The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[9].
Pollinators: Bees, insects
Notes: A very ornamental plant for your edible flower garden or the bed by the road, and a good companion plant.
We can probably supply in the spring.
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[14].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Davies, Dilys. Alliums: The Ornamental Onions. Batsford, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ Matthews, Victoria. The New Plantsman Volume 1. Royal Horticultural Society, 1994.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Grey, Charles. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate, 1938.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.