About Creoles…
If you are grower in the warmer climates of the Southern US, Creoles should be a big part of your garlic patch. Creoles are known for their exceptional flavor and long storage life making them a favorite for anyone able to grow them “successfully.” And therein lies the challenge. Creoles are easily the most finicky of all the garlic subgroups to grow successfully. Growers in the Northern US will find they are hardy, easily surviving the harsh winters BUT are stubbornly difficult to get any significant size with a 2” bulb a prized and rare reward, with the exception of Morado (de Pedronera) which outperforms all other Creoles for Northern Growers. Growers in the wet & humid deep south will find the plants robust and productive BUT having a tendency to “Witches Broom” in years with excessively wet springs. The lucky few who find themselves in warm dry climate with moderate winters…well you might not grow anything else. They really are that good and worth trying to overcome the challenges for most of us. Pescadero Red sizes significantly better for us (still <2”) than Rose de Lautrec but they pedigree of Rose is hard to dismiss. Morado (de Pedronera) for NORTHERN US Growers.
Creole Varieties: Morado (de Pedronera), Rose de Lautrec & Pescadero Red
RECOMMEND CREOLE FOR NORTHERN US GROWERS. We’ve been perplexed by this variety for quite a few years due to its unusual growth habit/structure and very late harvest. Big broad leaves that are somewhat “lazy” as it nears harvest had led us to believe that this was a unique variety within the Asiatics subgroup but the clove/bulb structure screamed Creole however the leaf/plant structure just didn’t fit the Creole subgroup. It has also performed EXTREMELY well in our very cold growing seasons in Vermont with 2”+ bulbs with large cloves being common while all other Creoles struggle to reach even 1.75” with smaller cloves. Then we came across a listing in a catalog of Creole garlics out of Spain and immediately recognized “our mystery” Morado.
This has been one of our favorite garlics for quite some time, it’s been a VERY GOOD grower with approximately 8-10 cloves and consistently large bulbs for a northern grown Creole. Also a beginner friendly, forgiving garlic that will do well in less than ideal conditions. Wicked HOT when used raw but good flavor, milder garlic flavor when cooked and is a great performer in delicate dishes (fish) when you don't want to overpower with garlic flavor. Good keeper and stores well into winter in proper conditions.
Origin: Cordoba, Spain
Storage: 5+ months
Small - less than 1.5” (diameter)
Medium - 1.50” to 1.75”
Large - 1.75” to 2.00”
Extra Large - 2.0+ to 2.25”
Jumbo - 2.25”+
“Bargain Garlic” - <1.25” Great for spring garlic scallions AND spring planting Round/Solo Production.