'Stowell's Evergreen' Sweet Corn - Zea mays

'Stowell's Evergreen' Sweet Corn – historical variety with large, sweet ears and creamy‑white kernels. 

This variety is a robust, mid‑season to late‑maturing sweet corn with characteristic creamy‑white kernels and a traditionally sweet, aromatic flavor. The plants grow vigorously, reach impressive heights, and are well suited for open‑field cultivation. High‑yielding, open‑pollinated, and reliable – ideal for self‑sufficiency and organic growing.

  Origin & History

‘Stowell’s Evergreen’ is an open‑pollinated sweet corn developed around 1848 in Burlington, New Jersey, by Nathaniel Newman Stowell from two traditional corn types. Botanically, the variety belongs to the grass family (Poaceae), within the subfamily Panicoideae and the genus Zea, placing it among the crop plants that have ranked among humanity’s most important food sources for thousands of years. The variety attracted considerable attention shortly after its creation and spread rapidly from the early 1850s onward.

The name “Evergreen” refers to the kernels’ remarkable ability to remain tender and juicy for an extended period — a trait that made it one of the most popular white sweet corns in North America during the 19th century. For many decades, it was regarded as the benchmark for classic sweet corn and remained the preferred white variety well into the 20th century. Its reliability, sweetness, and long eating quality ensured that it was passed down through generations.

Today, ‘Stowell’s Evergreen’ is considered one of the oldest named sweet corn varieties and continues to be cultivated and preserved for its genetic stability, traditional flavor, and historical significance.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plants grow vigorously and upright, reaching a height of about 200-220 cm. They typically produce 2-3 large ears per plant. The variety shows robust growth and good adaptability to different sites. Not winter‑hardy – it dies back when exposed to frost.

Ear details:

• Size: Very large, approx. 20-25 cm long

• Shape: Cylindrical, uniform, densely filled

• Color: Creamy white

• Texture: Tender, juicy, crisp

• Flavor: Sweet, aromatic, with a traditional sweet‑corn flavor

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The ears of ‘Stowell’s Evergreen’ are excellent for fresh eating – grilled, boiled, or steamed. The kernels freeze and can well while retaining their full aroma. They pair beautifully with salads, soups, stews, vegetable sautés, casseroles, and grilled dishes. They are also popular in salsas, wraps, and bowls. In addition, the kernels are suitable for corn purées, creamy soups, and savory pie fillings. They can be lightly roasted in pan dishes, made into corn fritters, or used as a mild ingredient for fermentation. For long‑term storage, the kernels can be blanched and frozen or preserved by canning, ensuring year‑round availability.

Thanks to its vigorous growth and strong adaptability, ‘Stowell’s Evergreen’ delivers reliable yields in open‑field cultivation. The variety matures mid‑season to late (approx. 95–100 days), produces large, well‑filled ears, and prefers deep, nutrient‑rich, well‑drained soils. It thrives in companion planting, for example with beans and squash – the traditional Three Sisters milpa system. It also shows high tolerance to heat and temporary drought and remains productive even in variable summers. Its sturdy stalks make it less prone to lodging, while the uniform ear development facilitates harvesting. The plants use space efficiently, shade the soil well, and help maintain a balanced microclimate. Thanks to its long eating window, the ears can be harvested over an extended period, greatly simplifying planning in self‑sufficient gardens.

Compared to modern hybrid sweet corn varieties, ‘Stowell’s Evergreen’ stands out for its robustness, open‑pollinated nature, and traditional sweet flavor – ideal for anyone who values historical varieties with reliable growth and characteristic creamy‑white kernels.