What hardiness zones is Pastinaca sativa 'Hollow Crown' suitable for?

Pastinaca sativa 'Hollow Crown' is a biennial root vegetable grown as an annual, reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall (foliage) with a spread of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and an upright habit with a rosette of pinnately compound leaves above a long, tapering, cream-white root. An heirloom parsnip dating to the 1820s—one of the oldest named parsnip cultivars—it produces long, tapered roots 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) long and 2.5-3.5 inches (6-9 cm) at the broad, concave (hollow) crown. Fine-textured, sweet, nutty flesh. The 'Hollow Crown' name refers to the concave depression around the leaf rosette at the root shoulder. Days to maturity 100-120 from direct sow. Growth rate is slow to moderate. Open-pollinated. Requires deep, loose, stone-free soil for straight roots. Flavor sweetens markedly after frost.

Native Range

Pastinaca sativa is native to Eurasia. 'Hollow Crown' is an heirloom cultivar dating to the 1820s.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens with deep loose soil for culinary use—roasting, soups, mashing, stews. Longest parsnip 12-18 inches. Sweet nutty after frost. Heirloom 1820s. Open-pollinated—seed saving. Hollow concave crown. Overwinters in ground z5-8. Requires deep stone-free soil. Slow germination 14-28 days. Foliage sap causes phytophotodermatitis. Not suitable for shallow, rocky, or clay soil.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Gladiator' by the longer roots (12-18 versus 10-14 inches), the wider shoulder (2.5-3.5 versus 2-3 inches), the longer maturity (100-120 versus 90-105 days), the open-pollinated (versus F1 hybrid) breeding, and the characteristic hollow (concave) crown. Distinguished from carrots by the cream-white color and the sweeter nuttier flavor. Hollow Crown—longest parsnip, widest shoulder, hollow crown, heirloom 1820s, open-pollinated, deepest soil needed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Yellow-green umbel flowers on tall stalks in second year. Harvest roots before bolting. Foliage sap causes phytophotodermatitis—skin burns in sunlight.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow-green; umbels; second year only

Foliage Description

Medium green; pinnately compound; sap causes phytophotodermatitis

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

100-120 days from direct sow

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow in spring as soon as soil is workable—fresh seed only (viability drops after one year). Deep, loose, stone-free soil at least 18 inches (45 cm) deep (pH 6.0-7.0). Slow erratic germination 14-28 days. Thin to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm). Days to maturity 100-120 from direct sow. Frost sweetens flavor. Overwinters in ground with heavy mulch z5-8. Caution: foliage sap causes phytophotodermatitis.