Allium cepa Seeds | Southport White Globe Onion
LATIN NAME: Allium cepa
COMMON NAME: Southport White Globe Onion
Plant Profile
Allium cepa, better known as Southport White Globe Onion, is a hardy, biennial in the onion family. The Southport globe bleaches firm, white bulbs under hollow, grey-green leaves, the whole row standing in the clean, solid look of the kitchen garden. It is a plant of open, sunny, deep, rich, moist, well-drained ground. It is the sort of plant that quietly justifies the space it occupies.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the onion family, Allium cepa is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Southport White Globe Onion earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. The Southport globe is a clean, useful plant of kitchen garden and study collection. It is a clean, useful plant of open, sunny, deep, rich, moist, well-drained garden. The Southport globe seeds grow steadily in a sandy, loamy soil kept lightly moist. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
The onion family is one of the great medicinal plant groups: garlic, onions, leeks and their kin supply sulfur compounds such as allicin that have been studied extensively for cardiovascular and antimicrobial effects. Regular allium consumption is associated with several benefits in population studies, and garlic remains one of the world’s best-selling herbal supplements.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Southport White Globe Onion under ordinary good conditions. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
The traditional uses covered above are what first made this species worth cultivating. Its role in herbal practice, noted above, adds depth to an already garden-worthy plant. Sun and good drainage cover most of its demands.
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