The Ultimate Guide to Garlic Families in Your Garden

Garlic is a beloved root crop for many home gardeners, offering natural benefits and delicious flavors for your favorite dishes. With so many varieties available, choosing the perfect garlic for your region and culinary preferences may seem overwhelming. To make things easier, let’s dive into the world of garlic families to explore the ten distinctive types of garlic plants.

Unraveling the Garlic Mystery

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Garlic names can be confusing, as growers have the liberty to name their products as they wish. This results in numerous varieties with identical features but different names, and vice versa. However, recent DNA studies have narrowed it down to ten distinct families, making it easier for you to make informed choices based on your preferences and climate.

The Ten Garlic Families

All culinary garlics belong to the species Allium sativum, categorized into two subspecies containing the following families:

Hardnecks

Glazed Purple Stripe: Known for luminous wrappers and mild to moderate heat.
Marbled Purple Stripe: Features purple blotches and sweetly spicy flavors.
Porcelain: Earthy flavors with moderate heat and large cloves.
Purple Stripe: Creamy white with purple stripes and garlicky flavors.
Rocambole: Exceptional taste, requires cold winters, and well-draining soil.
Weakly Bolting Hardnecks – Asiatic, Creole, Turban: Medium to fiery hot flavors with varying clove and bulb sizes.

Softnecks

Artichoke: Large bulbs with a range of flavors from mild to spicy.
Silverskin: Bright white cloves with pungent and spicy heat levels.

Hardneck varieties require vernalization (winter cold exposure) and produce scapes, while softnecks thrive in mild winter climates.

Growing Tips

For hardnecks in mild winter regions, mimic a cold spell by storing bulbs in the refrigerator.
Remove scapes early from hardneck varieties to ensure large bulbs.
Softnecks do not require vernalization and are perfect for braiding.

Exploring the Flavorful Families

Let’s take a closer look at some popular varieties from each family:

Glazed Purple Stripe

Popular Varieties: ‘Oregon,’ ‘Purple Glazer,’ ‘Red Rezan’
Storage Life: 5-8 months
Where to Buy: Home Depot, Burpee

Marbled Purple Stripe

Popular Varieties: ‘Bogatyr,’ ‘Metechi,’ ‘Siberian’
Storage Life: 6-7 months
Where to Buy: Burpee

Porcelain

Popular Varieties: ‘Georgian Crystal,’ ‘Music,’ ‘Romanian Red’
Storage Life: Up to 8 months
Where to Buy: Burpee

Purple Stripe

Popular Varieties: ‘Chesnok Red,’ ‘Persian Star,’ ‘Tibetan’
Storage Life: 6-7 months
Where to Buy: Burpee

Rocambole

Popular Varieties: ‘German Red,’ ‘Amish,’ ‘Ukrainian’
Storage Life: Varies
Where to Buy: Gurney’s at Home Depot

Weakly Bolting Hardnecks

Popular Varieties: ‘Asian Tempest,’ ‘Cuban Purple,’ ‘Maiskij’
Storage Life: 3-10 months
Where to Buy: Burpee

Artichoke

Popular Varieties: ‘Inchelium,’ ‘Thermadrone,’ ‘Lorz Italian’
Storage Life: 9-12 months
Where to Buy: Home Depot

Silverskin

Popular Varieties: ‘California,’ ‘Nootka Rose,’ ‘Silverwhite’
Storage Life: 9-12 months
Where to Buy: Burpee

Choosing Your Garlic Family

With a diverse range of flavors, heat levels, and growth preferences, there’s a garlic family for every garden. Experiment with different types to find the perfect fit for your taste buds and climate. Whether you prefer the robust flavors of hardnecks or the spicy kick of softnecks, you’re sure to find a garlic variety that suits your gardening needs.

Do you have a favorite garlic family? Share your growing tips and recommendations in the comments below! For more garlic gardening tips, check out our guides on propagation, harvesting, curing, and disease control.

Remember, when selecting the perfect garlic for your garden, consider your climate, flavor preferences, and desired storage capabilities. Happy gardening!