"Plants That Persist: Exploring Enduring Edibles" is a look into the captivating world of perennial alliums. Join me as I begin a journey through the fascinating characteristics, growth patterns, and harvesting techniques of these resilient plants.

I provide some valuable insights and practical tips for cultivating and enjoying these edibles in your own garden. Growing these food secure varieties will ensure a bountiful harvest of alliums year after year.

This article is very interesting: https://backyardlarder.co.uk/2022/03/perennial-leeks/

Varieties of Perennial Alliums talked about in this episode:

1. Perennial Leeks:

   • Delft Leek
   • Belgium Leek
   • Babington’s Leek
   • Elephant Garlic (Allium ampeloprasum)
   • American Flag Leek
   • Bulgarian Giant Leek
   • The Oerprei, or Allium ampeloprasum, is an ancient European leek renowned for its hardiness and ability to grow perennially. Oerprei is often recognized for its thicker and taller stems compared to regular leeks, and it produces a milder flavor that can enhance a variety of dishes.

   • I am growing King Richard this year. I think maybe because it is a short season variety at 75 dtm.

2. Ramps (Allium tricoccum)

3. Welsh Onions (Allium fistulosum):

   • Common Welsh Onion
   • Red Welsh Onion

4. Egyptian Walking Onions (Allium × proliferum). These will be available in mid summer at: https://gardenfaeriebotanicals.ca/product/egyptian-walking-onion-bulbils/

   I forgot about the Red Catawissa onions!! I used to grow these in Ontario and have some ordered for the summer! They are a distinctive type of walking onion, valued for both their culinary and ornamental qualities. These onions are unique because they don’t produce traditional flowers; instead, at the top of each stalk, they grow clusters of small onion bulbs, known as bulbils. As these bulbils mature, they become heavy, causing the stalks to bend and eventually touch the ground. When these bulbils make contact with the soil, they take root and grow into new onion plants, a process that gives walking onions their name, as it appears they “walk” across the garden over time.

5. Shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum):

   • French Red Shallot
   • Dutch Yellow Shallot
   • Gray Shallot (Griselle)
   • Frog Leg Shallot
   • Jersey Shallot
   • Ed's Red Shallot.

   • Zebrune Shallot- An heriloom Eschalion, or banana shallot. Has elongated, pink-brown bulbs that have a sweet and delicate flavour. The highly productive plants resist bolting. Good for storage. ( I am growing these.)

     Next week we will continue with more. See you in the garden!