Allium cepa
Origin: Whitefish, Montana
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~100
Germination tested 12/2025: 84%
Life cycle: Biennial
'Glacier Rose' is an increasingly popular new open-pollinated shallot variety bred by Judy Owsowitz of Terrapin Farm in Whitefish, MT. Judy selected 'Glacier Rose' from the once celebrated (but now impossible to find) F1 hybrid 'Prisma'. When the beloved 'Prisma' disappeared overnight from commerce, Judy took the small remainder of seed she had on hand and commenced years of selection to create 'Glacier Rose'. A gorgeous pink shallot with all of Prisma's finest attributes, including large size (3" bulbs), great flavor, and long storage ability, often lasting until next year's crop comes in! Our seed was grown by our friend Bill Braun of Freed Seed Federation in Massachusetts, who plans to give his share of the revenue generated by these seeds back to Judy, the original breeder.
GROWING TIPS: Start shallot seeds in February or March in flats indoors, then plant out once the ground can be worked and hard-freeze danger has passed. Getting a head-start gives them the best chance of growing large. Plant seedlings 4-6" apart in well-composted soil. Keep well watered.
NOTE: We don't have a good photo of the inside of one of these, so the second photo here is a public domain photo of another shallot.
