About
This heirloom variety produces torpedo-shaped bulbs with a brownish-pink skin and is known for its excellent flavor, making it a favorite among culinary enthusiasts. It stores well and has a strong resistance to bolting.
About the genus
Allium consists of bulbous herbaceous perennials characterized by a pronounced onion or garlic aroma. They feature linear, strap-like, or cylindrical leaves that arise from the base. The flowers, which can be star-shaped or bell-shaped, are arranged in an umbel atop a stem that lacks leaves.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay, Sand, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbs - Culinary, Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown from seed. Sow outdoors from late March - April in any well drained soil in full sun. Sow thinly at a depth of 1cm and a distance of 30cm between rows; when large enough to handle thin shallot seedlings to 4cm. Cover with biodegradable fleece to protect from birds and insects. See Vegetable Cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to onion fly. Birds may be a problem when young, cover with fleece to prevent birds pulling out bulbs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to onion white rot, leek rust, downy mildew