Allium fistulosum
Origin: Japan via Maine
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~60
BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED
Life cycle: Perennial
Also known sometimes as "Evergreen Hardy White," this is an ancient Japanese landrace bunching onion, great for cut-and-come-again scallions. Our seed comes from our friend and collaborator Aaron Parker of Edgewood Nursery in Falmouth Maine. Here's what he says about it:
"Cold hardy and pest resistant, this perennial bunching onion is an old variety from Japan. They divide at the base while also producing large ornamental flowers and lots of true seed. You can harvest the green tops several times in a season or harvest whole plants on a slower rotation. Seeds should be planted in spring. Starting early indoors is nice as alliums can be a bit slow to establish and are easy to lose if direct sown. Barely cover seeds. Can be grown as an annual in typical rows, or allowed to establish as a perennial. Divides somewhat slowly at the base, so plant lots of seedlings or avoid harvesting bulbs until well established. Best size is achieved in full sun and rich soil (i.e. vegetable garden conditions), but tolerates sub-par conditions too. I find other perennial alliums preferable to low-investment situations and this scallion preferable for the vegetable garden. Sow in early spring, in short season climates start in Feb/Mar for annual production."
NOTE: Keep an eye out for rogue weirdos in your crop, because Aaron grows lots of other allium species, so you might find a cool accidental cross!
GROWING TIPS: Seeds should be planted in spring. Starting indoors is nice as alliums can be a bit slow to establish and are easy to lose if direct sown. Barely cover seeds.
Can be grown as an annual in typical rows, or allowed to establish as a perennial. We recommend the latter. Divides somewhat slowly at the base, so plant lots of seedlings or avoid harvesting bulbs until well established. Will reach it's best size in full sun and rich soil (ie vegetable garden conditions), but tolerates sub-par conditions.
