Variety field guide
What to expect from Mary Washington Asparagus
Mary Washington Asparagus is a perennial asparagus selection grown for long-lived perennial beds, spring spears, and seed saving or crown establishment.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Mary Washington asparagus is the classic heirloom that defined spring gardens for generations. Known for its straight, uniform spears and refined flavor, this traditional variety produces tender, deep green stalks with slightly purplish tips and a rich, buttery taste when freshly harvested. Beloved by gardeners since the early 1900s, Mary Washington remains prized for its cold hardiness, longevity, and consistent performance in diverse soils.
About Mary Washington Asparagus
Mary Washington Asparagus is a perennial selection of asparagus, with an upright/erect habit and an expected height or spread of 49–60 in. It is best suited to long-lived perennial beds, spring spears, and seed saving or crown establishment. Notable traits include delay heavy harvest until crowns are established, then cut spears during the spring window; fresh green spear flavor.
The value of Mary Washington Asparagus is in the combination of its named traits, upright/erect growth, and fit for long-lived perennial beds, spring spears, and seed saving or crown establishment.
History and provenance
This is a perennial food crop whose first-year growth does not equal a mature harvest. Seed-grown plants establish genetic diversity and may take more than one season to reach full production, so establishment timing and mature harvest timing are kept separate. Mary Washington Asparagus Mary Washington is a beloved heirloom that defined asparagus growing in America throughout much of the 20th century. Bred and released in 1919 by J.B. Norton of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it was selected from older Washington lines for improved rust resistance, uniform spear size, and enduring vigor. Its success transformed asparagus from a finicky crop into a dependable garden staple, allowing families to enjoy fresh harvests for a decade or more from a single planting. The variety’s name honors the Washington lineage of asparagus and its reputation for reliability. Generations of home gardeners and small farmers have continued to grow Mary Washington for its tender, richly flavored spears and remarkable adaptability to diverse soils and climates. Even today, it stands as the benchmark of heirloom asparagus-an enduring symbol of American horticultural heritage, resilience, and the quiet satisfaction of long-term cultivation. Seed-grown perennial plants vary more than clonal divisions, and establishment year should not be confused with full production. With its heritage rooted in early American market gardens, Mary Washington continues to symbolize quality and endurance-offering the same dependable harvests and delicate flavor that made it a standard for home and farm production alike.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Asparagus officinalis L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Maturity | 365+ Days |
| Germination | 14-21 Days at 70–85 °F |
| Seed depth | 1/2 in |
| Plant height / spread | 49–60 in |
| Growth habit | Upright/Erect |
| Spacing | 18 in between plants; 48 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Sandy loam; pH 6.5–7.0 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Mary Washington Asparagus from seed
Sow 1/2 in deep and keep the seed zone evenly moist. Expect emergence in 14-21 Days when the seed-zone temperature is near 70–85 °F. Germination preparation: Start in clean seed-starting mix when season length requires it, then transplant at a sturdy but not root-bound stage. Light requirement: Cover evenly to 1/2 in. Soaking: Optional short soak; do not leave seed waterlogged. Stratification: None required. Scarification: None required.
Planting and care
Plant during spring and provide full sun. Space plants 18 in apart with 48 in between rows. Use sandy loam with a pH near 6.5–7.0, and follow a moderate watering plan. Support requirement: No-Support. Frost response: Hardy. Large permanent container possible, but in-ground culture usually supports longer life
Harvest and use
Approximately 365+ Days, from sowing to an established perennial planting; full harvest requires multiple seasons. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date. Harvest: Delay heavy harvest until crowns are established, then cut spears during the spring window. Uses: Long-lived perennial beds, spring spears, and seed saving or crown establishment. Flavor: fresh green spear flavor. Seed saving: Perennial seed crop. Best uses include long-lived perennial beds, spring spears, and seed saving or crown establishment. Flavor and eating quality: fresh green spear flavor.
Saving seed
Select several healthy, true-to-type Mary Washington Asparagus plants that match the expected upright/erect habit and overall plant form. Avoid saving seed only from the earliest or largest individual unless that is your deliberate selection goal. Pollination system: Perennial seed crop. Seed-grown offspring may vary, especially in heterozygous or named clonal traditions. Separate compatible varieties that may flower together, or use cages, barriers, hand pollination, or another documented control appropriate to the crop. Mary Washington Asparagus is a perennial. Seed production may require overwintering, vernalization, or more than one growing season, depending on climate and crop biology. Clean the seed carefully, dry it thoroughly away from direct heat, label the lot with variety and year, and store it cool, dark, and dry. Test germination before an important planting or distribution season.
Common problems
Common concerns: Damping-off, aphids, slugs, caterpillars, leaf spots, root rots, and stress-related bolting or poor establishment. Management: Start with clean seed and mix, match temperature to the crop, avoid overwatering, provide airflow, scout regularly, and rotate families. Diagnosis note: Similar symptoms can have different causes. Compare plants of the same age, record weather and irrigation, and use local Extension or diagnostic support before applying a control.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Mary Washington Asparagus
When is Mary Washington Asparagus ready? Use 365+ Days. Approximately 365+ Days, from sowing to an established perennial planting; full harvest requires multiple seasons. Weather, soil temperature, and planting method can shift the actual harvest date.
How long does germination take? Expect 14-21 Days at about 70–85 °F. Cooler, hotter, crusted, saturated, or dry seedbeds can slow emergence.
How large does it grow? Expect about 49–60 in with an upright/erect habit. Space plants 18 in apart and rows 48 in apart. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container? Large permanent container possible, but in-ground culture usually supports longer life Use a container with drainage and enough volume to maintain the listed spacing and steady moisture.
Can I save seed? Perennial seed crop. Keep compatible varieties isolated and allow selected plants to reach full seed maturity.
