Désirée

The Désirée is a red-skinned main crop potato originally bred in the Netherlands in 1962. It has a red skin and yellow flesh with a distinctive flavour. It is a favourite with allotment-holders because of its resistance to drought, although it is not well suited to organic growing. It is a versatile, fairly waxy variety which is firm and holds its shape and useful for all methods of cooking; from roasting to mashing and salads.

Its recent popularity in the UK is attributed to TV chef Delia Smith.
 * Habit: Medium height, later spreading
 * Foliage: Medium to dark grey-green. Strong purple colour throughout plant.
 * Stems numerous, purple.
 * Leaf rigid, open, slightly arched.
 * Leaflets oval, pointed.
 * Secondaries few.
 * Buds/Flowers: Buds large, red-purple on hairy stalks. Flowers red-violet fading to white.