Over the many years of selection and cultivation, garlic has lost the ability to produce fertile seeds and, in some varieties, flower stalks and flowers are not even formed.

Although true garlic seeds cannot be easily produced, there are many different varieties from which to choose. These varieties have been selected over the years, presumably developedas the result of random mutations.

Garlic varieties are broadly classified into two main categories: hardneck and softneck.

Hardneck varieties (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) produce a flower stalk, or, technically, a scape, and are often termed “topsetting” or “bolting” varieties. The assumption is that they are most closely related to wild garlic.

Flowers, if they are produced, usually abort and form “bulbils” instead. These are small, aerial cloves that have the same genetic make-up as the mother plant. They can be used for propagation, but the bulbs that are formed from bulbils are usually small the first year after planting. Two or three years are required before usable bulbs are produced from bulbils. They are, however, an economical way to increase seed stock.

Typically, hardneck garlic varieties have four to 12 cloves surrounding the flower stalk. Because of the hard flower stalk, they are difficult to braid. Another disadvantage of hardneck varieties is they do not store well and may either start to form roots or start to dry out within a few months after harvest.

Softneck varieties (Allium sativum var. sativum ), sometimes referred to as “Artichoke” varieties, do not produce a seed stalk. These are among the varieties that are commonly used in California for commercial mass production. Most of the garlic grown in Washington is softneck.

Softneck varieties are considered to be the most domesticated varieties due to minimal flower stalk and bulbil production. They are generally more productive than hardnecks because all the energy goes to producing a bulb rather than a bulb and flower stalk. Each bulb generally contains between 10 to 40 cloves arranged in multiple layers somewhat like an artichoke.

Softneck garlic generally has a much longer shelf life than hardneck garlic and typically can be stored for six to eight months without significant deterioration. They also are easy to braid.

Varietal characteristics can vary tremendously from one location to another, complicating variety selection.

Climate can have a significant impact on garlic flower stalk formation as well as garlic taste. For example, a variety may be considered a softneck in one location, but in other locations it may produce a flower stalk. Occasionally, only a partial flower stalk is produced and bulbils will form directly above the bulb.

Since there is no standardization, some garlic seed producers will rename particular varieties, leading to more confusion. It is best to try out several different varieties for a few years and select those that do best in your area.

-University of Minnesota