Bill’s Pea Ridge variety description
Variation in variety. Two plants have blue-green leaves. One of these blue-green leaved plants has highly prominent veins that stand out. One of the green leaved plants has a more erect growth habit and ruffled leaves. Three plants with green leaves have more dentate margins. Leaves vary from elliptic to spatulate in shape and have moderate blistering. Plants measure 14-21 inches tall and 25-35 inches wide. Non-heading variety. Average taste qualities with slight bitterness.
Bill’s Pea Ridge variety history
This is one of many heirloom collard varieties grown by Buddy Brickhouse of Gum Neck, North Carolina. Buddy believes this variety, like his others, dates back to his maternal grandmother and therefore likely to before 1910. In 2004, Buddy gave some seeds to Dr. Edward Davis, a professor of geography at Emory & Henry College, who was collecting heirloom collard strains for preservation on behalf of the USDA Accession. Seed Savers Exchange requested this variety in 2016 from the USDA Accession collection (PI 662817).
Seed Status:
This variety is low quantity in the Seed Savers Exchange collection and is currently being regenerated at Heritage Farm in Decorah, IA.