Babington Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) – BULBILS

Babington Leek (Allium ampeloprasum var Babingtonii). An extremely low maintenance, hardy and very tasty, edible perennial leek native to UK.

All parts of this versatile plant are edible. Although it is best to leave for first season to allow them to bulk up  Plants will die back over summer and appear again in the autumn. Harvesting time is usually around March to June. The whole leek can be cut off above the bulb which will regrow.  Best to do this before they send up flowering stalk (in second+ year). Leaves can be harvested and have a garlicky flavour.  Great in soups, cooked foods, salads, you can also pickle the bulbils.  Flowers from July – August if not harvested – then forming a head of small bulbils that will fall onto the soil to send up yet more plants next year.  Over the years, as the leeks clump up, they can be thinned and replanted (or eaten!)

Height 180cm, width 10cm. Can tolerate most soils and positions except full shade. Hardy to Zone 6 (UK).

Medicinally it is as garlic but not quite as potent. Fungicidal, antiseptic and parasiticidal, amongst other things.

Sow the bulbils outside between autumn and spring 2cm deep about 8-10cm apart. Or sow in pots to transplant out at a later date. Each bulbil will produce one plant.