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.)