Cracoviensis Lettuce

CR’s absolute favorite of all the lettuces Seed Savers curator M. Schultz shared, unlike any other in size, shape or colors. Cracoviensis is where the red meets the green, making a dazzling twisting rosette with heavy purple accenting, especially towards the center. Recommended for spring and fall culture, the plants grow fast and very large (14–16") in cool temps. Called “Bolt-o-viensis” by Scott Paquin, it sends up seed stalks with just a touch of heat. No matter: the leaves’ tender buttery flavor does not give way to bitterness even after bolting! Those thick fleshy bolted stems are prized in China where they are peeled and eaten like asparagus. Listed as a distinct type, Asparagus Lettuce , in The Vegetable Garden by Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885). Customers in New Jersey and Mass. have reported success overwintering it. 1996 Fedco introduction.