Winter garlic "Siberian violet"


Allium sativum var ophioscorodon subvar marbled purple stripe

Siberian Violet is one of the most resilient hardneck garlic varieties, perfectly suited for cold climates and challenging growing conditions. It forms beautiful, compact bulbs with a distinctive purple veining and large, juicy cloves.

This variety is famous for its rich, sharp flavor, very high essential oil content, and excellent winter hardiness — it can withstand even extreme frosts, making it especially suitable for Latvia and northern regions.

History

Siberian Violet is a northern-origin hardneck garlic, whose roots can be traced to Siberia and eastern regions of Russia. It is one of the traditional purple lines that for centuries was cultivated in small rural farms under very harsh climatic conditions.

Local farmers, over generations, selected planting material for:

  • the best winter hardiness,

  • the strongest purple color,

  • the largest and most drought-resistant cloves,

  • less susceptibility to diseases in cold climates.

As a result, a stable, hardy, and decorative line was formed, which later gained the name Siberian Violet.

  1. At the end of the 20th century, gardening enthusiasts brought this variety to North America and Europe, seeking cold-resistant, productive, and visually attractive hardneck garlic types. Siberian Violet quickly gained recognition because it overwinters excellently, produces large, purple bulbs, and offers a mildly spicy, balanced flavor.

Today, it is one of the most popular northern purple group varieties in the Baltic region, Scandinavia, and northern USA.

Main characteristics

  • Type: hardneck (especially hardy)

  • Color: white–purple, pronounced pigmentation

  • Cloves: 6–10 large, symmetrical, firm

  • Flavor: sharp, intense, with a warming aftertaste

  • Aroma: strong, high essential oil content

  • Hardiness: excellent winter hardiness – even down to -35°C

  • Disease tolerance: very good

  • Ripening: medium early

  • Storage: 6–7 months

Vegetation

  • Forms a flower stalk

  • Very strong root system

  • Resistant to prolonged moisture and cold

Yield and storage

  • Harvest time: mid-July

  • Storage: up to 7 months

  • Bulbs retain color and shape during prolonged drying