Allium sativum Svea Garlic 1 bulb
1 bulb per order.
This hardneck packs a punch! Strong, hot and full flavored, Svea is perfect for baking and is a favorite with chefs. Averages 5-8 fat, purple streaked, easy to peel cloves per bulb. Thrives in colder climates, good storage. A late-season marbled purple stripe type, it is named after a legendary Swedish female warrior.
Flavor profile
- Raw: When eaten raw, Svea garlic has a strong, hot, and spicy taste.
- Cooked: When roasted or baked, its flavor mellows into a rich, nutty sweetness. This dual-flavor profile makes it a favorite among chefs.
Physical characteristics
- Bulbs and wrappers: The bulbs are large and flattened, with wrappers that feature prominent purple and red streaks.
- Cloves: Svea typically has 5 to 8 large, plump, and easy-to-peel cloves per head.
- Appearance: The striking appearance of the purple and white streaks on the wrappers makes it an attractive variety.
Other features
- Hardneck: As a hardneck garlic, it produces a tall, central flower stalk called a "scape" in the early summer.
- Edible scapes: These scapes can be harvested and eaten before the garlic bulb is ready. They have a milder flavor than the bulb and can be used in pesto, stir-fries, or roasted.
- Easy to peel: The cloves are protected by easy-to-peel skins.
- Cold climate tolerant: Svea does well in cold climates.
- Storage: It has a medium storage life of about 4 to 5 months.
Allium
Allium, Latin for garlic, Flowering Onions are available in diverse heights and sizes, are rabbit-, rodent- and deer-resistant, and are seldom affected by disease. Adored by bees, butterflies and pollinators, Allium extend the spring flowering season with bold, dramatic color and statuesque garden architecture. They are also valuable cut and dried flowers.
Allium require full sunlight although there are several varieties that can also thrive in partial sunlight: A. cowanii, oreophilum and siculum bulgaricum. Allium require rich, well-draining and neutral pH soil and benefit from a summer dry period. A. unifolium can handle soil with a bit more moisture. All Allium must be planted outdoors in the fall after the soil has cooled down to around 55°F (normally after two weeks of night time temperatures hovering around 40°F). While most Allium are not recommended for forcing over the winter, there are several varieties that are known to be good forcers: A. cowanii, karataviense and unifolium. Please note that flower size is presented as the width, or diameter, from left to right.
Plant the larger Allium bulbs 6" to 8" deep and 8" to 10" apart. Plant the smaller Allium bulbs 4" deep and 3" to 4" apart. Top size bulbs. Bloom time: May through August depending on the variety. Height: variable depending on the variety. Variable horticultural zones ranging from 3-10 depending on the variety.