Ramsons (Allium ursinum)

Ramsons (Allium ursinum) is a bulbous (or similar) plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Ramsons (Allium ursinum).

This plant has several common names including: ramsons, bear’s garlic, buckrams, gipsy onion, hog’s garlic, ramsomes, wild leek, wood garlic or wild garlic.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: ramsons, bear’s garlic, buckrams, gipsy onion, hog’s garlic, ramsomes, wild leek, wood garlic, wild garlic
Scientific name: Allium ursinum
Plant type: Bulbs
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators

Seasonal colors

How to plant Ramsons (Allium ursinum) – Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bulbous plants are found all over the world in habitats as diverse as woods, meadows, riverbanks, rocky hills and mountains.

There are bulbs suitable for all types of garden design.

Most have their own limited flowering season, but with careful planning it is possible to combine this period of interest with the other plants in the garden.

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How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Ramsons (Allium ursinum), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Ramsons (Allium ursinum) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Allium ursinum likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Ramsons (Allium ursinum) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Ramsons (Allium ursinum) – Agnes Monkelbaan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons