ECLIPSE asparagus

Origin & history

• ‘Guelph Eclipse’ is a male hybrid developed at the University of Guelph, Ontario (Canada).
• Experimental number UG005 before being officially named Eclipse.
• The rights holder is the University of Guelph; plant variety protection was granted around 2017.

Main characteristics

• Type   
  • 100% male hybrid — no berry production; this promotes spear production.
    
• Hardiness    
  • Hardiness zones ≈ 2-8 (cold + varied climates) 
    
• Stem color & quality    
  • Green stems, thicker than standard varieties. Firm, uniform heads.
    
• Productivity/precocity    
  • Good yields, especially early in the season. Better maturity than some existing varieties; faster early harvest.
    
• Tolerance/health    
  • Better tolerance to leaf diseases.
    
• Production life    
  • Perennial plant; once well established, it can produce for a long time. More than 15-20 years depending on conditions.

Advantages & things to watch out for

Advantages:

• High yield, so good for commercial growers and gardeners who want productivity.
• Early productivity: you can start harvesting relatively early compared to some varieties that take longer.
• Good stem strength: thickness, firmness, ability to withstand bad weather conditions.
• Resilience in cold climates—tolerates harsh winters well.

Things to watch out for/limitations:

• Like all asparagus, the plant needs to be well established—this requires patience (lower yield for the first 2-3 years).
• The soil must be well-drained, rich, and deep. Very heavy, poorly drained, or compacted soils reduce plant health.
• Spacing is important for good yields. If plants are too close together or poorly maintained, this can affect yield or stem quality.