As one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, garlic has firmly established itself as a medicinal and spice plant. Immerse yourself in the diverse selection of species and varieties.
What types and varieties of garlic are there?
The best-known garlic species include Allium sativum (common garlic), Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon (snake garlic) and Allium tuberosum (Chinese garlic). Popular varieties include 'Edenrose', 'Kobold', 'Monstrosum', 'Rocambole', 'Cledor', as well as southern European varieties such as 'Ajo rosa', 'Aquila', 'Aveiro' and 'Chesnok'.
There are a variety of varieties surrounding three species
Thanks to thousands of years of experience in cultivating garlic, hobby gardeners today benefit from three robust, proven varieties.
Common garlic – Allium sativumProbably the most widespread type of garlic produces white or red bulbs. As a rule, between 5 and 15 bulbs are formed. When freshly harvested, the taste is still mild. The spiciness increases after long storage.
Snake garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon)A striking species with bizarrely twisted shoots. This garlic impresses with a primarily mild aroma. Ideal for hobby gardeners who can't get used to the rather intrusive Allium sativum.
Chinese garlic (Allium tuberosum)This type essentially uses the leaves. They taste wonderfully garlicky without causing the dreaded bad breath. Only a single bulb forms.
A tailor-made garlic variety for every taste
Based on the three most popular types of garlic, a variety of varieties are available for your individual taste test. Given the uncomplicated cultivation, there's nothing wrong with trying them all out.
- Pink garlic 'Edenrose' (Allium sativum 'Edenrose')
- Small garlic 'Kobold' (Allium tuberosum 'Kobold')
- Giant Garlic 'Monstrosum' (Allium tuberosum 'Monstrosum')
- Snake garlic 'Rocambole' (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon 'Rocambole')
- French garlic 'Cledor' (Allium sativum 'Cledor')
Various types of garlic have also found their way to us from southern Europe:
- ‘Ajo rosa’, white with pink toes from Spain
- ‘Aquila’, white with purple-striped outer skin from Italy
- 'Aveiro', purple-red onion from Portugal
- ‘Chesnok’, white-purple variety from the Black Sea
An old variety with tradition
Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) has a very long history of development. The impressive plant reaches a height of 180 cm. Their bulbs can sometimes weigh 500 grams. If you have enough space in the bed, this garlic is worth growing.
Since elephant garlic proves to be tolerant of cold, wet and dry conditions, even beginners can cultivate it. The taste is considered unusually mild for a garlic plant.
Tips & Tricks
Garlic can be dried wonderfully so that it can be stored for longer. This way you can grow several varieties at once to taste them one after the other.
