(My usual disclaimer is in place, in that I have not received any compensation for the mention of anything in this post, including a bag of Muscari neglectum or Lilium henryi which would not be refused if they should happen to appear in my mailbox.)
June 7, 2014
Yorktown Onion
This past Sunday on the way back from kayaking, I impulsively took the Colonial Parkway home. Nearing Yorktown I quickly pulled to the side of the road when I recognized blooming fields of Yorktown onions (Allium ampeloprasum). This Eurasian native (known to the rest of the world as wild leek) made its way to England eons ago and then made its way to Yorktown during the Colonial era. It naturalized locally and is now revered by people who live in the area. It has even been given protected status by county ordinance.
Local gardeners who want to grow Yorktown onion usually get them from friends or family as a passalong plant. The only other source I know of is Brent and Becky's Bulbs, but if you live in Idaho the import of all allium species is forbidden.
(My usual disclaimer is in place, in that I have not received any compensation for the mention of anything in this post, including a bag of Muscari neglectum or Lilium henryi which would not be refused if they should happen to appear in my mailbox.)
(My usual disclaimer is in place, in that I have not received any compensation for the mention of anything in this post, including a bag of Muscari neglectum or Lilium henryi which would not be refused if they should happen to appear in my mailbox.)
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always great viewing your blog posts, Les.
ReplyDeletethis is a complicated process to post a comment here. Is it just me, because I haven't verified something? Is there something I can do to make it easier.
ReplyDeletewaaa, waaa, waaa...
it does deter me. and you know I always have so much to say...:^}
still, it's my favorite blog ever.
I miss the Yorktown Onions. Beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I lobe big stands of wild flowers like that.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Are they tasty, too? They look like the Drumstick Alliums (A. sphaerocephalon) in my garden. Of course, they're related, but they look so much alike, too, with the latter a bit shorter, I suppose. That must be a treat to see them naturalized along the shore like that.
ReplyDeleteThat's just what I need in my garden. My multiplying onions have a lovely pom-pom flower but it is white. I like your color best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing something so unique and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLovely. Now I have to go looking for them when I am down that way.
ReplyDeleteYour impulse to take the Colonial Parkway paid off. What a lovely contrast between the purple flowers and the yellowing grass. The onions in my garden seed so easily, I wonder why the protective ordinance was necessary.
ReplyDeleteSort of like a Piet Oudolf landscape. Nice! Also reminds me of Drumstick Allium though these stand up so well, Interesting that this planting is protected (I don't think I've ever seen these naturalized). I assume they are not invasive, just a relic from another era.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Les. Do you know if this allium is available anywhere? I love the height. how big are the spheres of the flowers?
ReplyDeleteRead your post then saw them for myself while visiting a friend in Williamsburg. We went to Yorktown for lunch and I snapped a few pictures myself.
ReplyDeleteEven lovelier with the sound and movement! I am growing Lilium henryii in memory of my late father-in-law, Henry.
ReplyDelete