ECOS Purple Potato

The Ecos purple potato shows good frost resistance in the ground and naturally produces a perennial type potato able to reproduce without replanting. Vines can spread 5-10 ft. in one direction. 'Perennializing'  this potato works best in drier mineral like soil similar to the alpine environment of its home. Our plantings have always reproduced over winter where the smaller tubers often survive in frozen soil. This potato has a great flavor similar to many fingerlings and is perfect for potato salad, soup or mashed. Because of its low maintenance and resistance to disease and insects it can be used in mixed landscapes and harvested periodically as a perennial tuber. 

This selection was given to me many years ago from a horticulture professor as a cast away in a breeding program. It has always been a reliable producer no matter what mother nature throws at it. It rarely has Colorado potato beetle damage and does not suffer from drought. Once I threw a batch into a snow bank in February in a paper bag. They sprouted fine in spring. Another time I put some in a freezer for a month-they too sprouted fine.  This is unusual in that the tuber can then be propagated like a daylily and treated like a perennial. It does not flower usually and if it does, it does not fruit. 

Spacing of three to five feet in the row and rows of ten feet is ideal.