The slender shoots of Garlic Chives make delicious microgreens with a distinctive mild garlic flavour that brings a tasty treat to sandwiches, wraps and salads.
This vigorous growing variety is ideal for overwintering in the UK, comfortably surviving temperatures down to -20C (4F). Garlic 'Caulk Wight' produces purple-striped bulbs which resist splitting.
Description for Garlic 'Carcassonne Wight' (Spring/Autumn Planting) not available
Garlic 'Picardy Wight' originates from Picardy in Northern France, and is suitable for spring planting. This softneck garlic variety produces pink-tinged white bulbs with a strong flavour and excellent storage potential.
Garlic 'Cristo' is an RHS AGM variety produced in England, providing pure white bulbs with an elegant bouquet.
Description for Garlic 'Vallelado' (Autumn Planting) not available
Description for Garlic 'Messidrome' (Autumn Planting) not available
The spectacular Elephant garlic is more closely related to leeks than regular garlic and is commonly known as the 'wild leek'. Easy and rewarding to grow, this hardy perennial herb produces massive, papery-skinned bulbs that can measure up to 10-15cm (4-6in) in diameter, each with 5 or 6 huge cloves. It is a perfect choice for the kitchen garden or for adding a touch of drama to your herbaceous borders. Milder and sweeter in flavour than smaller varieties, Elephant garlic makes a versatile and interesting cooking ingredient. Grate it raw for salads and dressings; slice it finely for stir-fries; or best of all, bake or roast whole bulbs and squeeze out the lovely creamy centres for an unusual vegetable or dip, for spreading on crusty bread, or adding to mashed potato. Also great for the barbeque - just wrap them in foil and throw them on the grill! Cloves can be used fresh and succulent, or after they have been dried and stored over a few weeks or months, when they will have a more intense flavour. A native of Asia, Elephant garlic thrives in a sunny position in well-drained soil, although can tolerate a heavier soil than smaller garlic varieties. Its large, broad, flattish blue-green leaves and sturdy flower stems will rise tall and proud in your vegetable garden - or make a striking feature in a mixed border. The pinky-purple blooms appear in June and July; they are pretty enough but should be trimmed early so the plant concentrates its goodness in the swelling bulb. Cut the flowers for your vase or leave just a few in your borders for dramatic effect. Supplied as 4 planting cloves to produce 4 plants. Elephant garlic can be placed in the ground any time from September to February, avoiding times of frost or extreme cold. Grows to 1.5m (5ft) high by 30cm (12in) wide.
'Germidour' is one of the most satisfying varieties of garlic you can grow, producing lovely large and compact bulbs with white, papery skins that are attractively streaked with pinky-purple. It has a mild, subtle flavour and delicate aroma - perfect for a wide variety of savoury dishes whether used raw in salad dressings or for cooking. Originating in France, this worthy winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit is well suited to the UK climate, being virus-free and a reliable cropper with bulbs that typically contain about 10-12 succulent cloves. This softneck type garlic doesn't produce flower stems but will mature earlier than hardneck types and also has better storage properties - up to 3 months or more in good condition after harvesting. The garlic that is most commonly sold in supermarkets is softneck - but don't be tempted to propagate shop-bought garlic as it will be more prone to disease and crop far less efficiently than plants grown from these superior horticultural quality bulbs. Traditionally, garlic is planted on the shortest day of the year (21-22 December) and harvested on the longest (20-22 June), although it can be planted in the autumn or spring. Autumn plantings will produce earlier crops and although winter hardy, may benefit from protection from the cold - or can be grown in a greenhouse or tunnel. If planting in the spring, just wait until the frosts have gone before placing the cloves in the ground. 'Germidour' will thrive in a sunny spot in most well-draining soils. If your soil is heavy, prepare the plot in advance by digging in some well-rotted garden compost, and also some sand or grit, to improve fertility and drainage. Alternatively, grow in good-quality compost in raised beds, trugs or containers. Garlic doesn't take up much room, making it an ideal choice for small-space gardening. It is a good companion plant for roses and other plants or vegetables that are vulnerable to greenfly as its aroma will help to repel those little beasts! Supplied as 2 bulbs ready to split into approximately 10-12 cloves for planting.Grows up to 60cm (24in) height by 15cm (6in) spread.
'Cristo' is a softneck type garlic that has an intense but subtle flavour and elegant aroma - perfect for a wide variety of savoury dishes whether used raw in salad dressings or for cooking. Originating in France, this variety is well suited to the UK climate, producing large bulbs with papery white skins, with about 12 or more plump white cloves in each. Unlike hardneck types, softneck garlic doesn't produce flower stems but will mature sooner and usually has a milder, although interesting flavour. Softneck garlic also has better storage properties - up to 3 months or more in good condition after harvesting. The garlic that is most commonly sold in supermarkets is softneck - but don't be tempted to propagate shop-bought garlic as it will be more prone to disease and crop far less efficiently than plants grown from these superior horticultural quality bulbs. A worthy recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, 'Cristo' is easy to grow and a reliable cropper - ideal for gardeners of any experience. Traditionally, garlic is planted on the shortest day of the year (21-22 December) and harvested on the longest (20-22 June), although it can be planted in the autumn or spring. Autumn plantings will produce earlier crops and although winter hardy, may benefit from protection from the cold - or can be grown in a greenhouse or tunnel. If planting in the spring, just wait until the frosts have gone before placing the cloves in the ground. 'Cristo' will thrive in a sunny spot in most well-draining soils. If your soil is heavy, prepare the plot in advance by digging in some well-rotted manure or garden compost (avoid using fresh manure) and also some sand or grit, to improve fertility and drainage. Alternatively, grow in good quality compost in raised beds, trugs or containers. Garlic doesn't take up much room, making it an ideal choice for small-space gardening. It is a good companion plant for roses and other plants or vegetables that are vulnerable to greenfly as its aroma will help to repel those little beasts! Supplied as 2 bulbs ready to split into approximately 12 cloves for planting. Grows up to 60cm (24in) height by 15cm (6in) spread.
A tasty selection of some of our best softneck garlic varieties to enliven every dish.
Garlic ?Kingsland Wight? is a perfectly formed, white skinned bulb with pink cloves.