Grow the Asparagus with the difference! That difference is color and flavor and it will make one of the best treats of the garden, fresh Asparagus, even better! ‘Purple Passion’ will start sending its thick spears through the soil in late April as the ground warms. You’ll notice two things immediately: The spears seem thicker than green Asparagus and you’ll rub your eyes at its outlandish deep burgundy-purple color! As spears elongate, you can cut them at ground level to harvest and then you’ll have a choice to make. Will you eat them raw and take advantage of the sugar content that is 20% higher than that of green Asparagus or will you steam them and revel in their mild, nutty flavor even as they lose their purple color when cooking? Either choice is a delicious one! ‘Purple Passion’ is easy to grow and will last in the garden for years acting as a perennial that dies to the ground in winter. When you plant, do not harvest the first year and only lightly harvest the second to give this garden treat the chance to establish so it will keep on giving for years to come.