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Wild Garlic

Allium canadense

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Shade
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Dry
Bloom time
May–Jul
Bloom color
Pink
Notes
Bulbs ship summer, Aggressive

About Wild Garlic

Wild Garlic, also known as Meadow Garlic, is a versatile and hardy perennial that bridges the gap between the wild prairie and the edible garden. Opening with clusters of starry pink to white flowers in late spring, this plant is easily recognized by its grass-like foliage and the unique presence of small aerial bulblets that often replace some of the blossoms. Native to a wide range of habitats including moist prairies, open woodlands, and meadows across eastern and central North America, it is a tough survivor that adapts to full sun or deep shade. Beyond its culinary history, Wild Garlic is a vital early-season resource for native bees and butterflies seeking nectar. It grows best in medium-wet to dry soils and can be quite aggressive in ideal conditions, making it perfect for naturalizing in larger areas or meadow restorations. Gardeners should note that it spreads both by seed and bulblets, ensuring a persistent presence in the landscape.

Native range

Native to 39 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Allium canadense

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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