This bicentennial variety, originally from France, is often sold under the names Ice Queen and Queen of Ices in North America; Queen of the Ices in the United Kingdom; and Regina delle Ghiacciole in Italy. It is a pure batavia lettuce, very cold-hardy, that withstands the first snows without issue.

Its leaves, a brilliant emerald green, are ultra-crisp and are distinguished by a heavily serrated and wavy border that gives it a curly appearance. It quickly forms a dense head, very heat-resistant, which does not turn bitter. After harvesting the head, what remains of the plant is left in the ground and cultivated as a cut-and-come-again lettuce. Young leaves can also be harvested, if needed.

Very refreshing raw, it is astonishing when quickly heated in a pan, as its leaves retain their crispness in the heat. It is then served with warm garlic butter! In addition to its taste qualities and superior garden performance, Queen of Ices proves to be very resistant to downy mildew. The head is harvested approximately 60 days after sowing.

Days to harvest: Young leaves: 30 | Mature leaves: 60

 Packet of 400 seeds