Asparagus 'Mary Washington'

Asparagusofficinalis

Genus
Asparagus (a-SPARE-uh-gus)
Species
officinalis (oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Green
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Vegetables
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Valdosta, Georgia

Hampton, Illinois

Foxboro, Massachusetts

Belding, Michigan

Blissfield, Michigan

Marietta, Mississippi

Natchez, Mississippi

Corvallis, Montana

Trenton, New Jersey

Cary, North Carolina

Winston Salem, North Carolina

Scappoose, Oregon

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Fort Worth, Texas

Godley, Texas

South Jordan, Utah

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Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
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R
Winston Salem, NC (Zone 7a) | April 2011 | positive

This is the 9th spring for my asparagus bed and it just gets better and better! I began with a dozen Mary Washington crowns because that...Read More

F
Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) | March 2006 | neutral

Shoots are thick, straight, dark green and tinged purple at the tightly folded tips.

Plant this perennial vegetable just o...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

My Mom and I are asparagus lovers, and I have been growing 'Mary Washington' for several years now. We are both very happy with the flav...Read More

G
Hampton, IL (Zone 5a) | June 2005 | positive

As long as you use plenty of organic matter when you plant these roots, you will get a good stand before you know it.

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | April 2003 | positive

Second year for my plants, and they are proving to be very hardy and prolific. Can't wait to start eating some asparagus in earnest next year!

M
M
Montville, NJ | April 2003 | positive

Perennial grown for tender edible new shoots that appear in early spring. I put in twelve crowns last spring and let them go to flower a...Read More

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