The plant that never goes away, ever!

June 1, 2008 | easygardener

Another plant, apart from celandines, that I regret planting in the garden is Allium triquetrum. I’ve been trying to get rid of it for over 20 years. It seeds itself everywhere and a clump can double in size each year. Where did I get it from?. Didn’t I know it was invasive? My recent trip to St.Ives has provided some answers.

In Cornwall the plant grows everywhere as a wild flower and I have a horrible feeling I brought a bulb back when I was there on holiday many years ago. And yes I must have been mad to put it in my garden. It’s like a guest you’ve invited and can’t get rid of. I was a newbie gardener then - and that’s my only excuse for my idiotic behaviour.

Here’s what it looked like growing wild in St. Ives. Note the beautiful lichen on the rocks. Note the bulb in sheep’s clothing in the foreground.

Allium triquetrum, St Ives, Cornwall

The flowers are pretty - white bell shaped flowers with a green stripe down the centre of each petal. It’s called triquetrum because the leaves are three sided. Being an allium it has a typical onion smell when crushed. As I look out of my window at home I can see them scattered about my flower borders. I think an essential bout of weeding is in order. Another battle I’m not going to win.

Allium triquetrum

4 comments

Gravatar 1 Karen { 06.01.08 at 6:34 pm }

I know what you mean - I saw it growing in someones garden - it did look appealing - after reading your post - so glad I did not introduce into mine!
Regards
Karen

Gravatar 2 Daphne Gould { 06.01.08 at 7:03 pm }

My garden nemesis is a campanula. I planted it in my garden years ago. I’ve been trying to get rid of it for 10 years. It spreads underground and the littlest of roots will grow back. And it seeds itself everywhere. Some years I think I have licked the problem, then the next year it is back.

Gravatar 3 Gardenista { 06.01.08 at 9:30 pm }

I’m always suspicious of the alliums, since chives are a weedy nuisance in my yard. This year I’m trying some of the giant ornamental types though and I can’t imagine they take over. I’ve always been curious about the Allium moly and other tiny alliums. The garden catalogs never tell you flat out if the plant is honestly a menace.

Gravatar 4 Esther Montogmery { 06.02.08 at 2:04 pm }

If you’re going to have a weed - you might as well have a pretty one!

Esther

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