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Allium oschaninii
Griselle
  • Hardy to Zone 5
  • Full Sun
  • Germination Tested Not tested
  • 5-20 bulbs per packet
Regular price $9.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $9.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Select the number of bulbils

 

Expected to restock in Fall 2026.

French Grey Shallots are THE shallot for chefs and foodies. They are smaller in size and don't store as long as other varieties, but they make up for that with an incredibly rich, umami flavour. The shallots are pear-shaped with coppery skin and purple and white flesh. They store for about 3-4 months. 

Plant in fall for early summer harvests, similar to garlic. Appreciates rich soil with lots of compost, and regular watering.

These bulbs will multiply over the winter to create a cluster of a few to a dozen bulbs or so. To harvest, pull up clusters when the tops have flopped over or died back. separate the bulbs and lay them out to dry in a shady spot with good airflow to cure. When they are dry (usually after a few weeks), discard any rotten bulbs, and store indoors in a dark and cool location with good airflow. Mesh bags, onions sacks, or paper bags are great.

I first received this variety as a gift from Jenelle at Nanoose Creek Farmhouse. All of the bulbs sold this year have been grown by Jenelle in Nanoose, Vancouver Island, BC.

Growing Instructions

Amend the soil with compost in a spot with good drainage. Avoid a weedy spot as alliums aren't very competitive against weeds- or be prepared to weed often!

Plant shallots root side down (pointy side up) 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. Mulch only lightly or not at all, as these small shallots may have difficulty pushing through thick mulch.

Plant in fall- on the coast usually late October to late November is a good time. In very cold areas, try planting the shallots in spring.

Shipping & Returns

By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.

Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.

 

Shipping within Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery and/or tracking.

Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS

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Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.

 

Refund Policy

Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable. 

Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion. We do not accept returns on seeds or plants.

Refused orders: We cannot issue a refund if you refuse to accept or do not claim an order we've mailed to you, or made available for local pickup. 

Incorrect addresses: Please double check your mailing address, and let us know ASAP if you've entered an incorrect address at checkout. We may need to charge for additional shipping fees to resend orders.

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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