Description
The Asparago Selvatico is a highly sought-after Mediterranean delicacy, celebrated for its robust and intense flavour that far surpasses its cultivated cousins. Its slender, dark green spears are notably more pungent and carry a characteristic, delightful bitterness (amarognolo).
This assertive flavour is precisely why it is so prized in traditional Southern European cooking. It is a staple of the Maltese and Italian spring table. The classic use is in a simple, rustic frittata (omelette) with fresh eggs. Its strong flavour also makes it perfect for blending into rich risottos or pasta sauces—often paired with ricotta or prawns to balance the bitterness. Simply blanch the tender tips and dress with high-quality olive oil, salt, and lemon for an authentic, spring-time antipasto.
Growing Guide: Wild Asparagus is a hardy, drought-tolerant Mediterranean native that is well-suited to the Maltese climate.
When to Plant: Since the plant is dormant in the hot, dry summer, the ideal time to plant your seedling is in early autumn (September to November). This allows the roots to establish well during the cooler, wetter months. You should expect your first productive harvest of spears in the following spring.
Location/Sun: This plant thrives in full sun but will also tolerate semi-shade, such as under the dappled light of olive or carob trees, mimicking its natural habitat in the Mediterranean macchia. It’s extremely tolerant of rocky, poor, and even saline soils, making it perfect for most spots in a Maltese garden or courtyard.
Soil & Potting: It prefers rocky, well-draining soil and is happy in the thin, alkaline soils common in Malta. For pots, choose a large, deep container to accommodate its perennial root system, and mix a general-purpose potting mix with plenty of gravel or sharp sand to ensure excellent drainage.
Watering: It is very drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly after planting to help the roots take hold. Once mature, you can reduce watering significantly; it generally only needs supplementary water during prolonged hot, dry periods in late summer/early autumn, but will mostly rely on natural rainfall.
Care & Harvest: Minimal care is needed. The plant dies back (goes dormant) in the summer heat and sprouts new spears with the autumn/winter rains. Harvesting occurs in late winter/early spring (typically February to April/May in Malta). Pick the young, tender spears (turions) when they are 10-20cm tall, snapping them off where they break easily. Allow some spears to mature into the spiny, feathery foliage; this foliage is essential for the plant to photosynthesize and store energy in the crown for next year’s crop. Do not cut the entire plant back until all production has stopped in late spring.
Why Buy Seedlings? Growing Wild Asparagus from seed is a patient process that can take up to a year for germination alone! Our robust, established Asparago Selvatico seedlings bypass the difficult and time-consuming germination stage. You get a strong, perennial plant ready to be placed directly into its permanent home, guaranteeing you a head start and allowing you to potentially enjoy the distinct flavour of Malta’s own Spraġ as early as the next spring season.
