Garden Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Krym, Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Sicilia, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Wikimedia: Evan-Amos
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Asparagus
- Species:
- Asparagus officinalis
- USDA Symbol:
- ASOF
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish-white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), clandestine dart (Spaelotis clandestina), common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Hitched Arch (Melanchra adjuncta), lesser cornstalk borer (Elasmopalpus lignosellus), nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Smeared Dagger Moth (Acronicta oblinita), speckled cutworm (Lacanobia subjuncta), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth (Trichordestra legitima), Sweetpotato Armyworm (Spodoptera dolichos), Trichordestra lilacina, underworld dart (Agrotis subterranea), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers soils with good organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–28 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 2-4 weeks before sowing.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)