Plant DetailShow Menu

Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon is often confused with:
Allium sativum var. sativum Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Allium ampeloprasum Elephant garlic growing
Allium cepa shallots
Allium sativum var. sativum Form
Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon has some common insect problems:
Bulb Mites

Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon

Phonetic Spelling
AL-ee-um sa-TEE-vum oh-fee-oh-SKOR-oh-don
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Hardeck Garlic is in the onion family producing an edible bulb that is a popular vegetable garden plant. It is used raw or cooked to flavor may dishes. Hardnecks need some winter cold to grow but should do well in most areas of NC. They send up a scape prior to harvest time in spring and are deer and black walnut resistant.

Within the Hardneck varieties, there are the ‘rocamboles’, whose cloves alternate large and small, and the ‘continental’ types, whose cloves are mostly uniform in size. Rocamboles are typically easier to peel and have the most pungent garlic flavor but do not store as long as continental types.

Plant cloves in NC from late Oct. to Nov. and possible through Dec in the more southern areas for a May to June harvest time. It needs at least 4-6 weeks to get established before the ground freezes. Space 6-8 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. Plant in loose fertile well-drained soil in full sun and mulch to help prevent weed competition. Cut back on watering before harvest time to prevent bulb rot. The flower stem (scape) should be removed before blooming and is edible raw or cooked.

Harvest garlic when about half of the leaves have started turning brown. Garlic needs to cure after digging in a warm dry place out of the sun. Once the leaves have completely dried you can remove the leaves, roots and outer wraps and store in a dry cool area but do not refrigerate.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Bulb rot can occur in too wet soil. Bulb mites can occur.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Allium sativum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Music'
'Music'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#mass planting#deer resistant#vegetable garden#edible fruits#vegetable#cool season vegetable#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#edible bulbs
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Music'
'Music'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#mass planting#deer resistant#vegetable garden#edible fruits#vegetable#cool season vegetable#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#edible bulbs
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Allium
    Species:
    sativum
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Middle East Asia
    Edibility:
    Bulbs and scapes are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Perennial
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    White to pinkish 6-parted star-shaped flowers in clusters. Some plants produce bulblets which then produce flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Flat linear basal gray-green upright leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Round green scape curved or twisted at the top.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Problems:
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    N-propyl disulfide
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots