leek 'Below Zero'

A vigorous, cold tolerant leek with white stems and dark leaves to a height of 45cm, stands well over a long period without bolting. Tolerates extreme cold well and is resistant to rust. Leeks are herbaceous perennials usually grown as annual vegetables, with upright stems which can be blanched white, and green or blue-green leaves about 30-50cm long; plants may flower by bolting in their first year, or the following year if left overwinter, with stems up to 1.5m high topped by rounded flowerheads 5-9cm across of hundreds of star-like pale pink to white flowers which are visited by bees, in summer.