Garlic varieties are often named after their place of origin. Often their are different selections of a variety available according to grades or origin.
Like onions, there are early, mid season and late varieties available. You will need to consider this, along with the climate of the region you are growing in.
There are softneck and hardneck varieties. Softnecks are the most common garlics grown, generally don’t have a flowerhead and have a longer shelf life (up to 9 months). Hardnecks do have flowerheads like onions, and generally have less but bigger cloves. They will not have as good a shelf life as the softnecks and prefer cooler winters.
An artichoke type is called such because cloves overlap each other like an artichoke. There can be 3 or 4 layers.
There is also the extra large garlic called Elephant or Giant Russian garlic and has a milder flavour but is great for roasting.
Popular garlic varieties include:
Glenlarge – early season variety developed in Queensland with a purple tinge
Southern Glen – also a Qld variety suitable for warmr climates
Creole – softneck more suited to hot dry climate
Printanor – mid season softneck of french origin – main variety grown in Australia & New Zealand
Mouliner – mid season with symmetrical bulbs
Simonetti – softneck originating from Republic of Georgia
Californian Early – mid season in temperate climates
Californian Late – small dark pin skinned cloves – late variety for cooler regions – excellent storage
Australian White – also a Californian type, selected in Sth Australia
Rojo del Pais Baza – Spanish heirloom with a small bulb that has big flavour
Italian White – stores well, grown in temperate climates
New Zealand Purple – small high quality bulbs with purple tips
