Step back to the late 1800s French garden with 'Reine des Glaces'—the "Ice Queen" of lettuce. This historic crisphead heirloom defies its icy name by conquering the challenges of the summer garden. Unlike many temperamental varieties, this lettuce forms dense, beautifully textured heads, wrapped in striking, dark green outer leaves with jagged, ruffled edges. This superior type is widely regarded as the finest crisphead available, delivering far more complexity than standard iceberg varieties.
What makes this Queen reign supreme is her extraordinary resilience. She is notably frost-hardy, allowing for extra early spring sowing, and is also extremely slow to bolt, maintaining quality through summer heat. This dependable performance makes her a joy for the practical gardener looking to extend the lettuce season. You can harvest the mildly flavored outer leaves as baby greens, or wait until the head firms up completely to enjoy the crispy center, renowned for its clean crunch and subtle, complex bitterness.
