I grow a hybrid called Lancelot. They're started in January/February and harvested in the fall, so I suppose that would make them a summer leek. Some of the ones I've grown have brought a tear when slicing, just like an onion. They're quite flavourful in my opinion, but I don't have anything to compare it to because I'm not interested in providing enough protection to overwinter a specifically winter leek in my zone.

The link below talks a bit about the differences between the summer and winter varieties available there, but I didn't see anything about flavour differences. Including it because it's a good read on leeks anyway, though. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: great page on leeks

Thanks, Mackey! Yes, that is one of the pages I read before I asked my question. Makes me feel enthusiastic about growing them, but as you said doesn't answer the flavor question. Your description of Lancelot sounds promising.

I tried replicating the search I did before but can't find some of the stuff I was reading. Anyhow one place said that summer leeks were more flavorful and another saaid winter leeks were... And I don't know if "flavorful" means more pungent or if is just means sweeter, or god forbid, more sulfury.

Oh, funnily, Johnny's describes Lancelot as a Fall variety... Neither summer nor winter? Cheers!

I've grown some of the different varieties of leeks sold by Johnny's and others. There is a difference in how well they stand up to the cold, although here in Michigan, it's only the very mildest winter that doesn't nip them to the ground line by springtime, but all of them seem to survive for the most part and regrow rapidly in the spring.

Thanks for the interesting link. Vive La France!