Arugula 'Rucola' (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), also known as Rocket or Roquette, is a traditional open-pollinated Italian heirloom prized for its fast growth, deep green lobed leaves, and distinct peppery flavor. Growing into compact rosettes 8 to 12 inches tall, it produces tender, deeply cut foliage packed with rich, nutty, pungent flavor. Highly valued in Mediterranean cuisine, Rucola adds a sharp gourmet kick to fresh salads, pizzas, pestos, and pasta dishes. Exceptionally easy to cultivate during cool spring and autumn weather, it is a garden essential for continuous salad harvests.
Beet Bull's Blood (Beta vulgaris) is a famous heirloom variety dating back to 1840, celebrated worldwide for its stunning, deep reddish-purple to near-black foliage and sweet, earthy roots. Renowned as the premier variety for microgreens and baby leaf salad mixes, its leaves maintain their rich dark color even under summer heat. Beneath the striking canopy, it produces tender, round, dark crimson roots with attractive lighter zoning when sliced. A magnificent dual-purpose crop, it adds dramatic contrast to garden beds while delivering sweet, nutrient-rich roots and salad greens.
Beet 'Cylindra' (Beta vulgaris), also known as Formanova or Butter Slicer, is an outstanding Danish open-pollinated heirloom prized for its unique cylindrical roots and tender texture. Unlike standard globe-shaped beets, Cylindra produces long, smooth, uniform roots growing 6 to 9 inches in length with a slender diameter of 1.5 to 2 inches. The dark reddish-purple skin encases sweet, fine-grained, deep crimson flesh free of woody rings. Because of its cylindrical shape, every slice yields uniform, round pieces, making it an absolute favorite for home canning, pickling, roasting, slicing fresh into salads, and harvesting tender, sweet young greens.
Detroit Dark Red Beet (Beta vulgaris) is the gold standard of heirloom beets, famous for its smooth, perfectly globe-shaped roots and rich, dark crimson flesh. Developed in Ontario, Canada in 1892, this classic variety delivers an exceptionally sweet, earthy flavor with a tender, non-woody texture. Offering a dual harvest of sweet, nutrient-dense roots and tender green tops with striking red stems, it is a top choice for fresh roasting, boiling, canning, pickling, or long-term winter storage.
Beet Early Wonder (Beta vulgaris) is a celebrated heirloom variety dating back to 1911, famous for its rapid growth, early harvests, and exceptional dual-purpose performance. Producing smooth, dark red, globe-shaped roots alongside tall, tender dark green tops with striking maroon stems, it offers a sweet, earthy flavor and crisp texture. Extremely dependable in cool spring and autumn soils, this versatile staple is prized for early summer harvests, fresh table slicing, canning, pickling, and harvesting nutritious young greens.
Ruby Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a classic heirloom root vegetable prized for its deep crimson-red roots and sweet, smooth-textured flesh. Producing uniform, globe-shaped beets that resist woody texture, it offers a double harvest of sweet roots and tender, earthy greens with dark red stems. Excellent for fresh roasting, boiling, pickling, or canning, this cold-tolerant favorite delivers consistent, high-quality yields throughout spring and autumn.
Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a historic heirloom root crop famously cultivated as a primary commercial source of natural white sugar. Producing massive, tapered conical roots that grow deep into the soil, it features rough tan-to-ivory skin and dense, creamy-white flesh with a exceptionally high sucrose content (up to 15–20%). While widely grown for farm production and livestock fodder, home gardeners cherish this unique variety for boiling down into sweet homemade syrups, baking, roasting, and harvesting the nutrient-rich, tender green tops for fresh cooking.
Broccoli Green Sprouting (Brassica oleracea var. italica), also known as Calabrese, is a famous heirloom classic introduced to America in the 1800s by Italian immigrants. Producing a central 5- to 6-inch head of deep blue-green, tightly packed buds, it continues to yield heavily long after the main head is harvested by producing a non-stop abundance of tender side shoots. Renowned for its rich, sweet flavor and high nutritional value, it is an indispensable garden staple for fresh steaming, roasting, stir-fries, and home freezing.
Broccoli 'Romanesco' (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), also known as Romanesco Cauliflower or Roman Cauliflower, is a striking 16th-century Italian open-pollinated heirloom celebrated for its geometric beauty, crisp texture, and nutty flavor. Growing into a sturdy, upright plant 24 to 36 inches tall, it produces breathtaking, lime-green heads composed of naturally occurring logarithmic fractal spirals. Sharper and firmer than standard broccoli, Romanesco carries a sweet, mild, earthy taste with zero bitter undertones. Excellent raw for vegetable platters, dipped in vinaigrettes, roasted whole, steamed, or tossed into pasta dishes, it stands as a centerpiece crop in edible landscapes and gourmet gardens.
Heirloom Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), such as classic Calabrese, is a cherished garden staple celebrated for producing large, central blue-green heads packed with tight, tender florets. Once the main central head is harvested, the plant continues to yield abundant side shoots over several weeks. Delivering a crisp texture and rich, nutty-sweet flavor, it is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, making it a versatile staple for steaming, roasting, stir-fries, or fresh garden dips.
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), also known as Butterfly Weed or Orange Milkweed, is a celebrated native open-pollinated heirloom perennial prized for its intense, fiery orange flower clusters and vital ecological role. Growing into neat, bushy mounds reaching 18 to 24 inches in height, it produces broad, flat-topped umbels of vivid tangerines, brilliant oranges, and warm gold blossoms from early to late summer. Unlike most other milkweed species, Asclepias tuberosa contains virtually no milky sap. An indispensable staple for native pollinator habitats and wildflower borders, it serves as a crucial host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars while attracting honeybees, native bees, swallowtails, and beneficial predatory insects.
Cabbage Brunswick (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a famous German heirloom dating back to the 18th century, renowned for its massive, drumhead-shaped heads and long-term winter storage capability. Producing large, dense, slightly flattened heads weighing 6 to 10 pounds, it features thick, crisp, bluish-green outer leaves protecting a tight, tender white interior. Exceptionally cold-hardy and slow to split, this classic autumn drumhead cabbage is prized for homemade sauerkraut, hearty autumn stews, roasting, and cold cellar storage throughout the winter.
Cabbage Golden Acre (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a famous heirloom variety dating back to 1927, celebrated worldwide for its rapid maturity, compact habit, and exceptional quality. Producing uniform, tightly packed, round heads weighing 3 to 4 pounds, it features crisp, tender, light-green leaves with a sweet, delicate flavor. Its space-saving footprint makes it the premier choice for small gardens and early-season plantings, yielding sweet, crunchy heads perfect for fresh summer slaws, salads, stir-fries, steaming, and kraut.
Cabbage Early Jersey Wakefield (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a historic heirloom dating back to 1840, renowned for its distinctive, cone-shaped heads and sweet, tender flavor. Producing solid, pointed heads weighing 2 to 3 pounds, it features smooth, dark blue-green outer leaves protecting a tight, crisp, pale-green interior. Extremely dependable and naturally split-resistant, its compact footprint makes it an exceptional early-season choice for small gardens, fresh summer coleslaws, stir-fries, steaming, and salads.
Cabbage Premium Late Flat Dutch (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a legendary European heirloom introduced to North America in the 1840s, long prized as the gold standard for late-season harvests and winter cellar storage. Producing massive, broad, drumhead-shaped heads that can measure 12 inches across and weigh 10 to 15 pounds, it features smooth, dark blue-green outer leaves protecting a exceptionally dense, tight white interior core. Known for its mild, sweet flavor that grows even sweeter after autumn frosts, its high natural sugar content and dense texture make it the premier choice for homemade sauerkraut, bulk cabbage rolls, hearty stews, and long-term storage.
Cabbage Michihli (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) is an ancient Asian heirloom classic prized worldwide for its striking, upright cylindrical shape and exceptionally crisp, tender leaves. Forming tall, tightly packed heads reaching 16 to 18 inches in height, it features medium-green outer leaves wrapping around a blanched, creamy-white interior with thick, juicy ribs. Boasting a sweet, mild, and delicate flavor without the strong sulfur notes of standard drumhead cabbages, Michihli is the ultimate premier variety for authentic kimchi, stir-fries, fresh slaw, dumplings, and spring soups.
Cabbage Red Acre (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a highly popular, compact heirloom variety celebrated for its rich, reddish-purple heads and excellent storage capability. Producing solid, round heads weighing 3 to 4 pounds, it features tightly wrapped, deep violet-red leaves with a crisp texture and a sweet, mild flavor. Remarkably disease-resistant and slow to bolt, Red Acre's compact footprint makes it an exceptional choice for home garden plots, container plantings, fresh autumn slaws, pickling, and colorful garden displays.
Cabbage Savoy (Brassica oleracea var. capitata costata) is a classic European heirloom celebrated for its beautiful, deeply crinkled, lace-like leaves and delicate, sweet flavor. Producing dense, round heads weighing 3 to 5 pounds, it features tender, deep-green ruffled outer foliage surrounding a pale yellow-green interior core. Highly cold-hardy, its texture softens and its flavor grows remarkably sweeter after exposure to autumn frosts, making it the premier choice for gourmet stuffed cabbage rolls, soups, stir-fries, and fresh winter salads.
Calendula 'Candyman Orange' (Calendula officinalis), also known as Pot Marigold, is an extraordinary open-pollinated heirloom treasured for its brilliant floral display, culinary uses, and therapeutic properties. Growing into bushy, upright plants 12 to 18 inches tall, it produces dense, multi-layered double blooms up to 3 to 4 inches across in a glowing, fiery orange hue. The aromatic petals carry a subtle, resinous, citrusy flavor, making them a vibrant addition to salads, rice dishes, broths, and natural skin salves. Thriving in cool weather from late spring through late autumn frosts, Candyman Orange is a staple for cut flower plots, pollinator beds, and herbal medicine gardens.
Calendula Daisy Field Grown Mix (Calendula officinalis), also widely known as Pot Marigold, is a vibrant heirloom standard cherished for its cheerful daisy-like flowers, long blooming season, and dual ornamental-edible uses. Producing branching 18- to 24-inch plants, it yields a rich mix of single and semi-double blooms (2 to 3 inches across) in warm shades of bright yellow, deep gold, apricot, and rich orange. Highly cold-hardy, easy to grow, and attractive to beneficial pollinators, its edible petals add vibrant color and a light spicy flavor to fresh summer salads, compound butter, herbal teas, and natural cosmetic oils.
Creeping Campanula (Campanula poscharskyana), commonly known as Serbian Bellflower, is a hardy open-pollinated perennial groundcover highly valued for its vigorous spreading habit and abundant floral display. Growing into low, dense mats reaching 6 to 9 inches in height, it cascades gracefully over stone walls, garden borders, and raised edges. From early summer through mid-autumn, the plants are covered in dozens of small, star-shaped, lavender-blue blossoms. Highly adaptable, drought-tolerant once established, and cold-hardy down to Zone 3, Creeping Campanula provides continuous color, effective weed suppression, and steady nectar for native bees and butterflies.
Carrot Chantenay Red Cored (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a famous French heirloom originating in the 1890s, celebrated for its broad shoulders, thick conical roots, and rich reddish-orange interior. Growing 5 to 6 inches long with blunt, rounded tips, it features fine-grained, sweet flesh with a virtually invisible reddish core. Exceptionally dependable in heavy clay, shallow, or rocky soils where longer varieties struggle, this hardy staple is prized for fresh eating, juicing, canning, and winter storage.
Danvers Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), originally developed in Danvers, Massachusetts in the late 1800s, is a celebrated heirloom root vegetable famous for its deep orange color, sweet flavor, and remarkable adaptability. Producing thick, broad-shouldered roots that taper to a refined point, it was specifically selected to thrive in heavy, clay, or shallow soils where longer varieties struggle. Exceptionally high in beta-carotene with a crisp, fine-grained texture, it is a top choice for fresh eating, juicing, canning, roasting, and winter storage.
Carrot Imperator 58 (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is an iconic All-America Selections winner from 1933, long celebrated as the classic commercial and market-garden standard for long, slender carrots. Producing smooth, deep orange roots that reach 8 to 9 inches in length with gently tapered tips, it features a crisp, tender texture and a sweet, rich flavor. Outstanding for fresh snacking, cooking, roasting, juicing, and winter cellaring, this reliable heirloom delivers high yields of high-quality roots when grown in loose, deep soil.
Carrot 'Little Fingers' (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a prized open-pollinated heirloom baby carrot variety originating from classic French garden traditions. Growing into compact, cylindrical roots reaching 3 to 4 inches in length and roughly 0.5 inches in diameter, it features smooth skin, virtually coreless flesh, and a rich deep-orange color throughout. Known for its exceptionally sweet, crisp, and tender bite, Little Fingers reaches harvestable maturity earlier than standard full-sized carrots (in roughly 50 to 55 days). Its small size and fast growth make it the ultimate variety for heavy or shallow soils, raised beds, and patio containers where longer taproot carrots struggle, yielding high-density gourmet harvests for fresh snacking, roasting whole, and canning.
Nantes Coreless Carrot (Daucus carota) is an exceptional French heirloom variety renowned for its cylindrical shape, smooth reddish-orange skin, and virtually coreless interior. Delivering an remarkably sweet, crisp flavor with fine texture, it is widely considered one of the finest carrots for fresh eating, juicing, cooking, and freezing. Producing uniform 6–7 inch roots with blunt tips, it performs reliably in loose, well-worked garden soils.
Carrot Nantes Half Long (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a renowned 19th-century French heirloom celebrated worldwide for its exceptional sweetness, fine grain, and tender, crisp texture. Producing uniform, cylindrical 6- to 7-inch roots with blunt, rounded tips, it features smooth, bright reddish-orange skin and virtually no core. Unmatched for raw snacking, juicing, cooking, and freezing, this classic variety performs reliably even in heavy or shallow soils where longer tapering carrots struggle.
Carrot 'Purple Dragon' (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a celebrated open-pollinated specialty heirloom bred for its extraordinary coloration, rich flavor, and high antioxidant content. Producing tapered Danvers-style roots 6 to 8 inches long, it features a striking deep purple-red exterior skin that contrasts dramatically with a bright orange-yellow core. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and exceptionally sweet with a subtle spicy note. Excellent for fresh eating, raw vegetable platters, autumn roasting, and juices, Purple Dragon brings heirloom heritage and bold visual appeal to home gardens.
Cauliflower Snowball (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is the definitive American heirloom standard, first introduced by Peter Henderson & Co. in 1888. Famous for its smooth, bright white, tight curds, it forms dense, heavy 6- to 8-inch heads wrapped in protective outer foliage. Compact and fast-growing, its inner leaves naturally curl upward to shield the developing head from sunlight, keeping it pale, tender, and sweet. With a crisp, mild, nutty flavor and zero bitterness, Snowball remains the top heirloom choice for fresh dipping, roasting, steaming, mashing, and home freezing.
Cilantro / Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an essential, open-pollinated heirloom staple cherished globally for its versatile dual-purpose harvests. In its early growth phase, it produces tender, feathery green leaves ("cilantro") with a bright, citrusy, aromatic flavor profile indispensable for fresh salsas, curries, tacos, and Asian dishes. As temperatures rise in midsummer, plants produce airy clusters of delicate white-to-pale-pink flowers followed by warm, nut-and-citrus scented seeds ("coriander") perfect for grinding into spice blends, pickling, and baking. Fast-growing and easy to direct sow, it is a foundation herb for any kitchen garden.
Columbine Mixed (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a cherished, classic heirloom perennial renowned for its delicate, long-spurred, bonnet-like blossoms floating gracefully above airy, fern-like foliage. Reaching 24 to 36 inches in height, this colorful mixture produces stunning double and single flowers in a broad palette of rich purples, soft pinks, deep reds, blues, bi-colors, and crisp whites. Thriving in cool, partially shaded garden spots, Columbine blooms abundantly from late spring to early summer. Its nectar-rich, backward-projecting spurs make it a top magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, bringing timeless charm to woodland borders and cottage gardens.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an iconic North American native heirloom celebrated for its daisy-like blossoms featuring magenta-purple petals surrounding a prominent, spiky, copper-orange central cone. Rising on sturdy, upright stems clothed in deep green foliage, it blooms abundantly from mid-summer straight through early fall. Highly valued as both a timeless garden ornamental and a historic herbal staple, this hardy perennial is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and songbirds, bringing long-lasting color, drought resilience, and wildlife value to borders, meadows, and cut flower arrangements.
Cosmos 'Candyfloss Mix' (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a charming open-pollinated heirloom annual prized for its compact habit, feathery fern-like foliage, and abundant daisy-like blooms. Reaching a manageable 18 to 24 inches in height, this mixture produces large 3- to 4-inch flowers in a dreamy palette of rose-pink, soft pastel blush, crimson, and pure white. Highly adaptable and heat-tolerant, Candyfloss Mix blooms continuously from midsummer right through early autumn frosts. Its sturdy, dwarf branching growth makes it an outstanding choice for cottage garden borders, patio containers, pollinator beds, and fresh-cut wildflower bouquets.
Cosmos Sensation Mix (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a legendary 1936 All-America Selections winner celebrated for its effortless growth, airy fine-cut foliage, and profuse display of large, daisy-like blossoms. Reaching impressive heights of 3 to 5 feet, it produces soft, feathery green leaves topped with abundant 3- to 4-inch single flowers in vibrant shades of magenta, rose, soft pink, and pure white with golden-yellow centers. Thriving in heat, full sun, and lean soils, Sensation Mix blooms continuously from midsummer through the first autumn frost. An indispensable staple for cut flower beds, cottage borders, pollinator gardens, and wildflower drifts.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a classic, multi-purpose heirloom herb renowned for its delicate, feathery blue-green fronds and fragrant, umbrella-like yellow flower heads. Growing into graceful, upright plants reaching 30 to 40 inches in height, it is an indispensable staple for both fresh culinary use and home pickling. The entire plant is edible, providing tender leaves ("dill weed") early in the season, followed by aromatic seed heads ideal for pickling and spice blends. Beyond its culinary value, dill's nectar-rich blooms serve as an essential host plant for Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars and attract a wide range of beneficial garden pollinators.
Flower Sprouts (Brassica oleracea), also widely known by the trade name Kalettes, is a modern open-pollinated hybrid innovation created by crossing classic Brussels sprouts with curly kale. Instead of producing tight, solid buttons, this plant forms stunning, open rosette-like mini heads along sturdy 24- to 36-inch stalks. The frilly rosettes feature vibrant green leaves with rich purple-magenta veining. Combining the sweet, nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts with the fresh texture of kale, Flower Sprouts offer a unique culinary treat—perfect for roasting, sauteing, stir-frying, or enjoying fresh in cold autumn salads.
Kale 'Blue Curled Vates' (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is an exceptional, open-pollinated heirloom dwarf scotch-type kale celebrated for its high yields, compact stature, and extreme cold hardiness. Growing into tidy, low-mounding plants reaching 12 to 18 inches in height and spreading up to 24 inches wide, it produces finely curled, blue-green ruffled leaves on short, sturdy stems. Highly resilient against premature bolting during summer heat, its flavor profile improves dramatically after exposure to autumn frosts, which convert plant starches into natural sugars for a sweet, tender bite. An essential cool-season staple for home gardens and market growers, Blue Curled Vates delivers long-season harvests for fresh salads, green smoothies, kale chips, and hearty winter stews.
Green Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), commonly known as Scotch Curly Kale or Early Green Curled Kale, is a quintessential heirloom variety prized for its heavy yields of deeply ruffled, dark emerald-green leaves. Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, its robust leaves deliver a hearty, earthy flavor that grows sweeter after exposure to autumn frosts. Outstanding for fresh kale salads, green smoothies, soups, or baked into crisp kale chips, this cold-hardy staple offers a continuous harvest from early summer through deep winter.
Lacinato Kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia), famously known as Dinosaur Kale, Tuscan Kale, or Cavolo Nero, is a historic 18th-century Italian heirloom prized by culinary chefs and home gardeners alike. Growing into impressive upright, palm-like plants reaching 24 to 36 inches in height, it produces long, narrow, strap-shaped leaves featuring a distinctive deeply puckered ("savoyed") texture. The leaves display a rich blue-green, almost blackish hue. Tenderer and less fibrous than curly kale varieties, Lacinato offers a rich, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor profile that sweetens significantly after exposure to autumn frosts. It is an indispensable crop for gourmet salads, sautéed side dishes, Tuscan ribollita soups, and crispy kale chips.
Kale Red Russian (Brassica napus), also known as Ragged Jack, is a beautiful heirloom variety originating from 19th-century Russia, celebrated for its stunning appearance and superior culinary quality. Producing flat, deeply oak-lobed leaves of grey-green accented by rich purple-magenta stems and veins, it turns an increasingly vibrant purple as temperatures drop. Revered as one of the sweetest, most tender kale varieties grown, its smooth leaves lack the tough texture of curly kales, making it the top choice for fresh baby-leaf salads, green juices, soups, sautés, and home-baked kale chips.
Kohlrabi Purple Vienna (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) is a striking, fast-growing heirloom brassica dating back to the pre-1860s, prized for its vibrant deep-purple bulbous stems and crisp, sweet flesh. Growing entirely above ground, the globe-shaped stem features rich purple skin contrasted by creamy-white, tender flesh with a mild, nutty flavor reminiscent of a sweet combination of turnip and apple. Highly valued for both its decorative garden appeal and kitchen versatility, it is an essential cool-season crop that can be enjoyed raw in crunchy slaws and salads, or cooked in stir-fries, roasts, and soups.
Lamb's Lettuce (Valerianella locusta), also known as Corn Salad or Mâche, is a classic European heirloom salad green cherished by gourmet chefs for its velvety, spoon-shaped leaves and delicate, nutty flavor. Forming compact, dark green rosettes, it thrives in cold weather when other garden greens fade. Extremely cold-hardy, it provides fresh, tender greens throughout autumn, winter, and early spring, making it a prized staple for gourmet winter salads, delicate garnishes, and light dressings.
Lettuce Baby Oakleaf (Lactuca sativa) is a popular heirloom loose-leaf variety prized for its deeply lobed, oak-like green leaves and sweet, tender flavor. Forming compact, rosette-style heads, it yields lush clusters of delicate, pliable leaves that add fine texture and vibrant color to gourmet salad mixes. Exceptionally slow to bolt and resistant to bitter heat stress, it is ideal for continuous "cut-and-come-again" harvesting throughout spring, summer, and fall.
Lettuce 'Black Seeded Simpson' (Lactuca sativa) is a legendary open-pollinated heirloom dating back to the mid-19th century. Renowned for its rapid growth, extreme adaptability, and high cold hardiness, it forms large, upright, loose bunches of crumpled, deeply savoyed light-green foliage. The leaves offer an exceptionally tender, crisp texture with a sweet, delicate flavor profile. Maturing in as little as 40 to 45 days, it is one of the fastest spring lettuce varieties available. Excellent for early spring plantings, late fall crops, or continuous cut-and-come-again harvesting in home gardens, raised beds, and patio containers.
Lettuce Buttercrunch (Lactuca sativa) is an iconic 1963 All-America Selections winner developed at Cornell University, widely considered the premier standard for butterhead lettuces. It forms compact, beautifully rosette-shaped heads featuring smooth, thick, dark-green outer leaves wrapping around a tender, creamy-yellow blanched heart. Famous for its silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, sweet, buttery flavor with zero bitterness, Buttercrunch is notably more heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant than traditional butterheads. An essential, top-tier choice for fresh gourmet salads, wraps, and summer garden beds.
Lettuce Crisp Mint (Lactuca sativa) is a distinctive, high-performing heirloom romaine variety prized for its unique, deeply puckered foliage that closely resembles giant mint leaves. Producing upright, compact heads reaching 10 to 12 inches tall, it features rich, dark green, heavily savoyed outer leaves protecting a tender, pale green heart. Delivering an extraordinary combination of juicy crispness and sweet, refreshing, non-bitter flavor, Crisp Mint is exceptionally heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant, making it a standout favorite for summer Caesar salads, wraps, and continuous garden harvests.
Lettuce Forellenschluss (Lactuca sativa), an iconic 17th-century Austrian heirloom whose name translates to "Speckled Trout's Back," is widely celebrated as one of the most stunning and flavorful romaines in existence. Producing gorgeous, upright open-headed rosettes reaching 8 to 10 inches tall, it features thick, tender apple-green leaves splashed with dramatic, deep wine-red speckles. Offering a sublime balance of crisp, juicy texture and a rich, sweet, slightly buttery flavor with zero bitterness, Forellenschluss stands out for its cold hardiness and exceptional heat tolerance alike, making it a prized staple for high-end gourmet salads and home gardens.
Lettuce 'Great Lakes' (Lactuca sativa), an All-America Selections winner introduced in 1944, is a classic open-pollinated heirloom crisphead iceberg type celebrated for its exceptional crunch, heat tolerance, and bolt resistance. Producing firm, heavy, tightly packed heads 10 to 12 inches in diameter, it features fringed, dark green outer wrapper leaves surrounding a crunchy, pale green to white interior core. Carrying a mild, sweet, refreshing flavor, Great Lakes stands up remarkably well to summer temperatures without turning bitter. An essential staple for fresh garden salads, wraps, burgers, and wedge salad preparations, this variety delivers consistent cool-season harvests.
