Asparagus 'Pacific Purple'
Asparagus 'Pacific Purple': The Gourmet Jewel of the Vegetable Garden
Asparagus 'Pacific Purple' is a premium, award-winning perennial delicacy, celebrated for its striking, deep-violet spears and its superior, extra-sweet flavour. Developed in New Zealand, this high-performance variety is more than just a garden curiosity; it is a nutritional powerhouse, containing significantly higher levels of antioxidants (anthocyanins) than its green counterparts. The spears are notably tender and less fibrous, meaning they can be enjoyed from tip to base. When left to mature after the harvest season, the plant transforms into a beautiful, airy cloud of fern-like foliage, adding a touch of architectural elegance to the kitchen garden or even a mixed perennial border.
- Exotic Deep Purple Spears: Features thick, succulent spears in a saturated purple hue. The colour is truly "skin deep," revealing a bright, lime-green interior when sliced—a stunning addition to gourmet salads.
- Exceptional Sweetness: 'Pacific Purple' has a higher sugar content than most green varieties. This makes it a favorite for "raw eating" or light blanching, as it lacks the bitterness sometimes found in older varieties.
- Heavy-Yielding Perennial: As an all-male hybrid (predominantly), it focuses its energy on producing thick, vigorous spears rather than seeds. Once established, this "investment plant" will provide a bountiful harvest for 20 years or more.
- Gourmet Versatility: While it turns a dark forest green when boiled, it retains its purple brilliance if quickly sautéed, roasted, or grilled, making it the ultimate choice for impressive "garden-to-table" dining.
Gardener's Tip: "The Patience Payoff"
Asparagus is a long-term commitment that rewards the patient gardener. When you plant your 'Pacific Purple' crowns, resist the urge to harvest any spears in the first year. In the second year, you can take a light "tester" harvest for about two weeks. By the third year, the root system is fully established, and you can harvest at full strength for 6-8 weeks. Always stop harvesting by mid-June to allow those beautiful purple spears to grow into tall ferns—this allows the plant to recharge its energy in the crown for an even bigger crop next spring!
| Package Size |
2 Roots
|
|---|---|
| Spear Colour |
Deep Glossy Purple (Green Interior)
|
| Spear Thickness |
Medium to Thick
|
| Planting Time |
Spring (March – May)
|
| Harvesting Time |
April – June
|
| Plant Height |
120 – 150 cm (Foliage stage)
|
| Plant Spacing |
35 – 45 cm apart
|
| Planting Depth |
Plant in trenches 20 cm deep, covered with 5 cm of soil.
|
| Warnings |
Berries are toxic if ingested. Sap may cause skin irritation; gloves are recommended. Toxic to pets.
|
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