Precoce d'Argenteuil is a celebrated French heirloom asparagus from the Argenteuil region near Paris, historically the most famous market asparagus of France. It is traditionally grown blanched as fat white spears with rose-pink tips, though the spears turn green and purple when exposed to sunlight. Prized in French cuisine for generations, it produces thick, tender, richly flavored spears earlier than many varieties, as the name precoce (early) suggests. As an open-pollinated heirloom it includes both male and female plants and yields less than modern all-male hybrids, but it is grown for its exceptional flavor and heritage character. It suits USDA zones 4 to 8 and deep, sandy, fertile soil. Mounding soil over the emerging spears produces the traditional white or pink-tipped gourmet crop.
Flavor Profile
Rich, delicate, and sweet with the refined flavor that made Argenteuil the standard of French gourmet asparagus.
Visual Characteristics
Thick spears that are rose-tinged white when blanched under soil or green with purple tips in the light.
Growing Tips
Mound loose soil over emerging spears to blanch them white for the traditional French crop; plant in deep sandy loam.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.