Ramsons or Bear’s Garlic!

Back in the early spring of 2018 I took my Dad for a drive over near to Finchdean. As we came into the outskirts of the village we first of all smelt that distinctive whiff of wild garlic and then we saw an amazing carpet of green foliage and froth of white flowers under a canopy of trees just coming into leaf. We had never seen such a mass of ramsons!

This time last year, just after Dad had died I was often up at Pendean House, where he’d been living and I suddenly recognised that familiar smell again! It brought back such lovely memories…. so, as there were thousands there, I wasn’t worried that a few roots may be missed. I have had them in a tub for the past year and they’ve already started multiplying – so I have dug out a few and planted them in a shady spot under trees by the pond! Fingers crossed they’ll start spreading.

But in the meantime I may use a few of the roots and leaves in my cooking! Though I need to be sure that they really are allium ursinum and not Lily of the Valley which is poisonous…. The Latin name for them – ursinum means bear! The other names for this plant is buckrams, wood garlic, bear’s leek or bear’s garlic!