Overview
Alliaria petiolata is a bushy annual biennial in the genus Alliaria, part of the Brassicaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Alliaria petiolata grows best in full shade and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include wildlife gardens.
About
Alliaria petiolata, or garlic mustard, is a biennial flowering plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, north-western Africa, Morocco, Iberia and the British Isles, north to northern Scandinavia, and east to northern Pakistan and Xinjiang in western China. It has now become a tenacious invasive plant across the northern U.S., in particular because of its earlier springtime emergence than many native species, often in the forest understory. In the first year of growth, plants form clumps of round, slightly wrinkled leaves, that when crushed smell like garlic. Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. In the garden it prefers full shade and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alliaria petiolata
About the genus
Alliaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae.
Wikipedia contributors, "Alliaria", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Alliaria
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Alliaria
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Alliaria petiolata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Alliaria petiolata
- Propagation
- Seed
- Pest resistance
- Caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Alliaria petiolata?
Alliaria petiolata prefers full shade and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Alliaria petiolata need?
Alliaria petiolata is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How big does Alliaria petiolata grow?
Alliaria petiolata reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 1-2 years to reach full size.
Is Alliaria petiolata hardy in the UK?
Alliaria petiolata has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Alliaria petiolata?
Seed.
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