{"product_id":"allium-ampeloprasum-var-sectivorum-minogue","title":"Allium ampeloprasum var. sectivum 'Minogue'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMinogue Onion \u003cem\u003eAmaryllidaceae\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wonderfully useful old-fashioned multiplier onion,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Minogue’\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis one of those plants that makes you wonder why the modern vegetable garden has become so obsessed with annuals. Better known as the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eMinogue onion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003epearl onion\u003c\/b\u003e, it is actually a form of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAllium ampeloprasum\u003c\/i\u003e, the remarkably variable species that also gives us the leek. It produces slender, leek-like green leaves from a steadily multiplying clump, with the individual plants dividing to form numerous small bulbs rather than making a single large onion. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great virtue of ‘Minogue’ is its\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eperennial nature\u003c\/b\u003e. Once established, the clumps can simply be lifted, divided and replanted, providing a continuing supply of young leaves through much of the colder part of the year. The flavour is particularly good — somewhere between a spring onion and a leek, with a savoury quality that makes it excellent chopped into omelettes, soups and stews. The small bulbs can be harvested later and are particularly good\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003epickled or used whole in cooking\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also an intriguing plant botanically. The name has appeared under several classifications, including\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAllium porrum\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003evar.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003esectivum\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eAllium ampeloprasum\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003evar.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003esectivum\u003c\/i\u003e, reflecting the long-running confusion surrounding the cultivated forms of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eA. ampeloprasum\u003c\/i\u003e. The Heritage Seed Library has maintained ‘Minogue’, and seed of the variety has also circulated through seed-saving networks. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many bulbous onions,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Minogue’ is primarily propagated vegetatively\u003c\/b\u003e, with offsets forming readily around the parent bulb. Flowering is comparatively unusual, although plants can occasionally produce attractive rounded flower heads; seed has been obtained and circulated, opening the possibility of selecting larger and more leek-like forms. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow it in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003esun or light shade in fertile, reasonably well-drained soil\u003c\/b\u003e, spacing the offsets sufficiently widely to allow them to bulk up. It is particularly well suited to the kitchen garden, but is sufficiently ornamental in its own rather utilitarian way to deserve a place in a productive perennial border. A plant for those who enjoy their vegetables with a little history — and preferably their onions without having to sow them every spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeight:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e30–60 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpread:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e20–30 cm per clump\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eJune–July, occasionally\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFully hardy in Britain\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eUses:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLeaves, small bulbs; excellent for pickling and cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Edulis","offers":[{"title":"1 Litre pot (Large bulb)","offer_id":57938692112766,"sku":null,"price":6.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"9 cm pot","offer_id":57938692145534,"sku":null,"price":7.15,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 x Medium sized bulbs","offer_id":57938692178302,"sku":null,"price":6.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0799\/6067\/files\/IMG_1476.jpg?v=1788041541","url":"https:\/\/www.edulis.co.uk\/products\/allium-ampeloprasum-var-sectivorum-minogue","provider":"Edulis","version":"1.0","type":"link"}