Bogatyr generally forms 4 to 6 large cloves per head, so a package of 3 bulbs may provide approximately 12 to 18 planting cloves; the actual count varies by bulb. Separate them only at planting time to avoid drying. Keep wrappers and basal plates intact, then discard any soft, spotted, or injured clove. Set the largest in the main row with points upward, 8 cm (3 in) deep and 15 cm (6 in) apart. Every healthy clove normally produces one plant and a new head. Label rows clearly so Bogatyr identity remains secure through harvest and curing. Record the actual clove count because natural variation is expected between heads.
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Marbled Purple Stripe hardneck garlic bulbs for planting
Amaryllidaceae
Hardy hardneck garlic for fall planting
Bogatyr garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon ‘Bogatyr’)
Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon
Bogatyr is a Marbled Purple Stripe hardneck garlic recognized for dark violet inner wrappers, 4 to 6 large cloves, and aromatic heat that lingers pleasantly. The Van Noort package contains exactly 3 bulbs to separate immediately before fall planting. Upright plants reach approximately 60 cm (24 in), tolerate Zone 2, and thrive in full sun or bright partial shade with rich, draining soil. Tender scapes provide an early harvest, followed by summer bulbs that store for a long time after careful curing. Bogatyr is especially suitable for Canadian vegetable gardens seeking vigour, assertive flavour, colourful bulbs, and durable productivity through the cold season.
Quantity
3 bulbs
Exposure
Full sun to partial sun
Hardiness
Zones 2 to 10
Difficulty level
Easy
Discover the plant
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Genus
Allium
Species
sativum var. ophioscorodon
Cultivar
Bogatyr
Type
Marbled Purple Stripe hardneck garlic bulbs for planting
Cycle
Bulbous perennial grown as an annual vegetable crop
Bogatyr garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon ‘Bogatyr’) is a Marbled Purple Stripe hardneck distinguished by deep purple inner wrappers and 4 to 6 large, pointed cloves. Its hot, persistent, aromatic flavour gives raw dishes considerable character and becomes rounder when cooked. Green foliage grows as an upright clump approximately 60 cm (24 in) tall, followed by a flowering scape in late spring. Hardy from Zones 2 to 10, Bogatyr tolerates severe winters and provides a long season of interest, from vigorous spring emergence through a colourful summer harvest with handsome striped bulbs.
Plant in fall in full sun or bright partial shade, using loose, fertile, moisture-retentive, freely draining soil at pH 6.0 to 7.0. Separate all 3 bulbs immediately before planting and position every clove point upward, 8 cm (3 in) deep and 15 cm (6 in) apart. Water to start root growth, then mulch after soil cools. In spring, weed early, supply approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) of water weekly, and feed moderately. Cut scapes before they straighten to support bulb size. Avoid saturated ground because hardneck garlic remains vulnerable to bulb diseases in poorly drained beds.
Bogatyr suits family vegetable gardens, edible borders, raised beds, and large containers. Its substantial cloves season pesto, marinades, sauces, roasted vegetables, and preserves, while tender scapes cook like a green vegetable. Harvest as lower leaves brown, then cure whole plants for three to four weeks in a dry, airy place. Its long storage life extends the harvest into winter. Selected umbels left open may attract pollinating insects, but garlic remains toxic to dogs and cats. Rotate the crop for four years to reduce disease and pest pressure, and reserve only firm, healthy cloves for future planting.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
8 cm (3 in), clove point upward
Spacing / density
15 cm (6 in) between plants and approximately 30 cm (12 in) between rows
Establishment temperature
10 to 15°C
Establishment time
14 to 28 days
Best planting time
October to November in Quebec, depending on region
Propagation
Separate bulbs into cloves immediately before planting
Growing method
In fall, choose a site in full sun or very bright partial shade, never a hollow where water collects. Loosen soil to 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in), remove perennial weeds, and incorporate well-matured compost. Keep all 3 bulbs intact until planting day, then separate them without removing protective skins. Discard soft or injured cloves. Position every point upward, 8 cm (3 in) deep and 15 cm (6 in) apart, leaving approximately 30 cm (12 in) between rows. Water deeply once to settle soil naturally around the bases. After soil cools, apply 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) of clean straw or shredded leaves to reduce frost heaving. In spring, open mulch slightly above shoots, weed early, and provide approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) of water weekly. Feed moderately as growth resumes, then stop nitrogen once bulbs swell. Cut scapes as they begin straightening. Stop watering two weeks before harvest, lift with a fork, and cure whole plants for three to four weeks in shade with dry, moving air. Label Bogatyr separately from other garlic cultivars and record planting and harvest dates for meaningful comparison.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun to partial sun
Soil pH
6.0 to 7.0
Hardiness zone
Zones 2 to 10
Minimum temperature
-45°C (-49°F)
Watering
During spring and bulb enlargement, soak soil deeply to provide approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) of water weekly including rainfall. Shallow roots respond quickly to drying, yet cloves rot in saturated ground. Check beneath mulch before irrigating. Reduce moisture as lower leaves yellow and stop two weeks before harvest to protect wrappers and storage quality. Water at soil level early in the day so leaves dry promptly.
Soil type
Bogatyr prefers deep, loose loam rich in stable organic matter that retains moisture without remaining saturated. A pH of 6.0 to 7.0 supports nutrient availability. Incorporate mature compost but avoid fresh manure. In clay, use a raised bed; in sand, increase compost. Avoid stones, compaction, and slow drainage, which distort bulbs or encourage disease. A crumbly texture also allows the large cloves to expand without distortion.
Fertilization
Prepare the bed with mature compost and base mineral additions on a soil test whenever possible. In spring, a moderate balanced or slightly nitrogen-forward fertilizer supports foliage, followed by a light application before bulb swelling if growth is weak. Stop nitrogen afterward. Late excess creates soft leaves, delays maturity, and reduces storage quality. Water after feeding and keep granules away from emerging leaves and stems.
Seasonal care
In fall, inspect all 3 bulbs, separate them at the last moment, and plant only firm cloves in drained soil. Water once, label the row, then wait until the surface cools before applying even mulch. During winter, let this cover stabilize temperature and reduce frost heaving; avoid walking on the bed or piling salt-contaminated snow there. In spring, expose shoots gently, rearrange mulch around them, and confirm that meltwater drains away. Weed early because garlic competes poorly, then feed moderately. Irrigate deeply whenever rainfall does not supply approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) weekly. In late spring, cut scapes after their first curl for cooking and bulb development. During summer, stop nitrogen, reduce moisture as lower leaves brown, and discontinue watering completely two weeks before harvest. Lift a sample bulb; if cloves fill their skins, harvest in dry weather without pulling stems. Cure whole plants for three to four weeks under cover in shade with strong airflow. Then trim roots and stems, store in a cool, dry place, and inspect monthly. Reserve the best cloves and plan a four-year rotation without Alliums in this bed. Keep curing heads away from direct sun, rainfall, and condensation. Record bulb size, wrapper quality, and storage losses so the next planting can be adjusted according to evidence from this specific garden. Review those notes annually.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
At least 30 cm (12 in) deep and 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) wide, with generous drainage
Use a pot at least 30 cm (12 in) deep and 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) wide for several cloves, with numerous holes and slight elevation. Fill it with structured, light, fertile mix containing mature compost, without a gravel layer that reduces rooting volume. Plant cloves point upward, 8 cm (3 in) deep and 15 cm (6 in) apart. Water until drainage occurs, then let the surface begin drying between applications while keeping the root ball moist. Place the container in full sun or bright partial shade and rotate it monthly if light is uneven. After fall cooling, mulch the surface and protect the sides from rapid freeze-thaw cycles; group the pot beside a sheltered wall or surround it with breathable insulation. In spring, inspect drainage holes immediately, feed lightly, and remove weeds. Cut scapes, then reduce watering as foliage yellows. To harvest, tip the root ball gently or use a narrow fork without pulling stems. Cure bulbs outside the pot and replace part of the mix before growing an unrelated crop. Never leave water standing in a saucer during winter or thaw. Label the pot and note harvest results.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
White to purple-pink when umbels are allowed to open
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous, strap-like, and aromatic
Growth rate
Moderate
Bloom period
In late spring, Bogatyr produces a firm scape that curls before carrying a pinkish-white to purple umbel. Harvest the scape while tender and curved, before it straightens, to direct more energy toward the bulb. Selected umbels may remain open for pollinators or observation; they mainly form bulbils rather than true seed. Clean cuts reduce damage and preserve every leaf needed for bulb filling.
Fruiting
Bogatyr does not form fleshy fruit. When a scape matures, the umbel mainly produces small bulbils capable of creating new plants, but several seasons are required before cooking-size heads develop. To favour large bulbs, cut most scapes. Save and label only selected bulbils when experimenting with slow propagation so they are not confused with package cloves. Store them dry until their separate planting date.
Harvest
Late June to late July, when lower leaves brown while slightly more than half the upper leaves remain green
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Use companion crops mainly to organize space and rotation. Early lettuce or radishes may grow between rows when harvested before bulbs enlarge. After garlic, sow beans, spinach, or an unrelated cover crop. Calendula and flowering herbs beside the bed support beneficial insects. Avoid tall or dense vegetation that shades Bogatyr, and keep garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots out of this plot for four years. Leave enough open space for airflow, hand weeding, and even irrigation throughout spring bulb development. Plan ahead.
Avoid planting with
The main problems are bulb rot in poorly drained soil, onion flies, and certain fungal diseases. Proper crop rotation helps reduce these risks.
Use Bogatyr when a recipe needs a sustained garlic presence. Its large, hot cloves strengthen pesto, salsa, marinades, sauces, soups, and roasted vegetables, while slow cooking softens their intensity. Tender scapes can be grilled, sautéed, or chopped into compound butter. After curing, store bulbs in an airy basket and reserve the healthiest as planting stock to maintain the cultivar. Its lasting heat also suits savoury breads, dressings, carefully prepared ferments, and garlic-forward dips. Cure fully before long storage and inspect monthly.
From the garden to inspiration.
Bold Bogatyr garlic scape pesto — Harvest 10 to 12 tender scapes before they straighten. Remove fibrous ends, chop the stems, and place them in a food processor with 45 g (⅓ cup) sunflower seeds or nuts, 45 g (½ cup) Parmesan, the zest of half a lemon, and a pinch of salt. Pulse, then slowly pour in 90 ml (⅜ cup) olive oil until supple. Add 10 to 15 ml (2 to 3 tsp) lemon juice and pepper. Serve with pasta, potatoes, toast, or roasted vegetables. To soften Bogatyr’s lasting heat, blanch scapes for thirty seconds, chill them in ice water, and dry before processing. Refrigerate in a clean container and use within three days. Freeze extra pesto in small portions. Never keep a garlic-and-oil mixture at room temperature because the low-oxygen environment can support botulism toxin formation. Label frozen portions with the date and thaw only what is needed. Discard any refrigerated pesto showing mould, bubbling, or an unusual smell.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
This hardneck garlic uses winter cold to differentiate cloves properly and form a well-structured head. Planting in October or November after early light frosts but before lasting soil freeze gives roots time to begin without encouraging long exposed shoots. Set cloves in draining soil, then wait until the surface cools before adding 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) of mulch. This cover reduces frost heaving without keeping ground saturated. Bogatyr is hardy to Zone 2, but hardiness never compensates for poor drainage. Avoid wet hollows and soil already frozen deeply, and mark the row so spring shoots are not disturbed accidentally.
Harvest the scape after it forms one complete curl but before it straightens and becomes fibrous. At that stage it is tender, and removal lets the plant devote more reserves to its bulb. Cut cleanly just above the upper leaf with a sanitized tool; do not pull because the stem may tear. Rinse, dry, and keep scapes in a perforated refrigerator bag for approximately one week. They can be grilled, sautéed, or made into pesto. Leave only one or two stems to open when observing bulbils or providing selected flowers for pollinators, accepting that those plants may form somewhat smaller heads.
Begin checking from late June through late July, but rely mainly on leaves. Lower leaves should brown while half or slightly more of the upper leaves remain green. Lift a sample bulb: cloves should fill their wrappers without bursting them. Harvesting too early gives small heads; harvesting too late exposes cloves and shortens storage. Stop watering two weeks beforehand, then use a fork placed safely away and never pull the stems. Cure whole plants for three to four weeks in shade with dry, strong airflow before trimming roots and foliage. Keep curing bulbs protected from rain and direct sun. Inspect carefully.
No. Cloves, bulbs, and scapes are edible for people, but Alliums can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats. Risk remains with raw, cooked, dried, or powdered garlic. Keep all 3 planting bulbs, harvested heads, scraps, and pesto beyond their reach. A large or repeated exposure may cause vomiting, weakness, rapid breathing, pale gums, or dark urine. If exposure is possible, contact a veterinarian promptly and provide the name Allium sativum with an estimated amount. Do not induce vomiting or use home remedies without professional instructions. Store curing and finished bulbs where pets cannot access them. Act promptly whenever exposure may have occurred.
Its strengths, naturally.
Not recommended for pets
Pets
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
Less attractive or generally tolerated by deer
Deer
