Allium ampeloprasum
(sold as elephant garlic)
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Common names: ELEPHANT GARLIC, GARLIC, KURRAT
Native to: Channel Island, Ireland, Southwestern England
Plant
Types: annual, biennial
Forms: arching, erect, tufted
Max height: 4 feet
Max width: 3.3 feet
Flower
white/off white
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, specific butterfly species
Edibles: herb, vegetable
Exposure: sun
Propagates by: seed
flowers in summer
Soil type: average
USDA Zones: zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f
Temp. range: -40 to +40 °F
Water: dry, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are several varieties of elephant garlic that are sold as bulbs for the home gardener. Even though they share the same scientific name as leeks, they retain a garlic-like structure as they grow rather than becoming elongated as a classic leek.
The blossoms of Allium appeal to any number of butterflies including
Abaeis nicippe
Aglais urticae
Ascia monuste
Euphydryas chalcedona
Euptoieta claudia
Hesperia sassacus
Hylephila phyleus
Junonia coenia
Nathalis iole
Panoquina panoquin
Papilio glaucus
Papilio xuthus
Pholisora catullus
Piruna pirus
Poanes melane
Poanes zabulon
Vanessa cardui
