'Delft Perpetual' Leek

Delft Perpetual is a cold-hardy, multiplying leek selected for its ability to regrow year after year. Delft Perpetual combines the substantial stems and blue-green foliage of a winter leek with the unusual ability to produce vegetative offsets. Rather than pulling the entire plant at harvest, mature leeks can be cut just above their base, allowing established plants to produce new offsets around the basal plate. Plants gradually develop into productive clumps that can also be divided, providing an ongoing supply without the need to start a new crop each year.

Plants can reach 5 feet tall when in flower and perform best in rich, fertile soil with consistent moisture. Cold hardy to approximately Zone 6, it is particularly well suited to perennial vegetable gardens and permaculture plantings.

The original ‘Delft’ is a Dutch winter leek originating from Delft, Netherlands. 'Delft Perpetual' was subsequently selected from ‘Delft’ by plant breeder Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seed in Oregon for its tendency to multiply vegetatively. It was released through the Open Source Seed Initiative* (OSSI) in 2019.

Though Delft Perpetual leeks can multiple vegetatively, with no pollination required, cross-pollination between genetically distinct plants is recommended for reliable seed production. The plants we sell are all genetically distinct from one another.

Common names: Delft Perpetual Leek, Delft Perennial Leek, Perennial Leek, Perennial Winter Leek, Permaculture Leek

Edible: Leaves, stems, young flower stalks (scapes) and flowers
Harvest timing: Fall - Spring

Scientific name: Allium ampeloprasum (formerly Allium porrum)
Light requirements: Full sun to part sun
Full-grown size: Leaves reach 2-3' tall, while flower stalks can reach 6' tall. Plants grow 6-12" wide, depending on maturity and fertility.
Hardiness: Zone 6
Pollination: Insect-pollinated. Pollination not required for vegetative reproduction, but  cross-pollination between genetically distinct plants is recommended for reliable seed production. The plants we offer are all genetically distinct from one another. 
Wildlife: Pollinators such as bees are very attracted to the spherical umbels (ball of tiny flowers).
Origin: 'Delft' is from the Netherlands, while 'Delft Perpetual' was a selection from 'Delft' by plant breeder Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seed in Oregon and released through the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) in 2019.
Noteworthy: A perennial leek that can reproduce vegetatively by producing new offsets (young plants) annually.

*Seeds for 'Delft Perpetual' leek were released under the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI). The Open Source Seed Initiative pledge states: "You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict other's use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives." More information on OSSI can be found at osseeds.org.