Garlic Scapes
Common Names: Garlic scapes, Garlic shoots, Garlic stems, Garlic tops, Garlic flower stalks, Garlic spears, Garlic curls, Garlic whistles.
Botanical names: Allium sativum
Availability: April through September
Vase life: 5 to 7 days
Storage temperatures: 34 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit
Ethylene Sensitive: Yes
Description: Long slender, curling flower stalks produced by hardneck garlic plants. As they grow they form graceful curves and loops before developing a pointed flower bud at the tip.
Color: bright to medium green
Botanical facts: Garlic belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and is related to onions, leeks, chives, and ornamental alliums. Scapes are edible and have a fresh, mild garlic flavor.
Design notes: Garlic scapes are an exciting line material in floral design, prized for their naturally curling, sculptural stems. Their loops and graceful curves create movement, rhythm, and visual energy while adding an unexpected botanical character to an arrangement. They work especially well in contemporary, garden-style, and vegetative designs, where the distinctive shape can be showcased rather than hidden. Scapes can extend beyond the floral mass to define space, create dramatic directional lines, or repeat curved forms throughout a composition.
Purchasing hints: Purchase before the flowers bloom. Look for turgid, well hydrated strong stems.
Conditioning: Remove two to three inches of the stem with a sharp knife. Hydrate in a solution of water and commercial floral preservative before storage or usage.
Additional notes: Floral designers ned to be aware that garlic scapes have a strong garlic fragrance.
Video Demonstration: