Wild Garlic (Allium canadense)

Wild Garlic, a plant in the onion family,, occurs mostly in the lower part of the southern peninsula in moist, rich forests like floodplains. It also occurs in wet meadows. If planted in the shade, it is less likely to flower and will instead produce bulblets on the flower stalk. These can be placed in the soil and a new plant will grow. Michigan Flora mentions that the Michigan genotype of this plant tends to make less flowers than other geographical locations.

Interestingly, according to Illinois Wildflowers, there are a lot of insects with “onion” in their common name that use these plants (specialists of the Alliums) plus lots of bees.

This will be one of the first green plants to emerge in the spring.

If you click below on the Michigan Flora link, you can view more photos there.

Companion Planra: Blue Lobelia, Golden Ragwort, Bishop’s Cap, Pretty Sedge, Wood Phlox

Photo credit: Nate Martineau

Wild Garlic (Allium canadense)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution (and flowers): Wild Garlic

Height: 18”

Bloom time: June-July

Soil: loamy, medium to dry

Sun: full sun to shade

Plant spacing: 6-12”

Flower: white to pink

Life cycle: perennial

Family: Alliaceae

Seed source: Great Lakes area