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Herbaceous PerennialHerbs - Culinary

Allium porrum 'Cairngorm'

leek 'Cairngorm'

A British bred, hardy biennial vegetable grown as an annual. Noted for its superb vigour and uniformity with thick white shanks and long standing capability in the garden. Also ideal for growing individually as pot leeks.

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Allium are bulbous herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent, linear, strap-shaped or cylindrical basal leaves and star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers in an umbel on a leafless stem

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Start in modules indoors then transplant out later or sow seed in March and April and transplant to final position in early summer. See leek cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to leek moth and birds. Protect with fleece or netting to prevent moths laying eggs

Diseases

May be susceptible to onion white rot, leek rust

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