Hard necks seem to do better in colder climates, compared to soft neck types. When you start to see scapes (blossoms) from the plants, soon, remove these so the garlic bulbs will grow bigger. Usually they are harvested once the green tops die down. Mine are all hard neck varieties and are at 12+ inches tall too. You might want to side dress the garlic with a good fertilizer too. I think that in Z7 you can grow either type. I never had much luck with soft necks here in Z6 I chose hard neck varieties that yield large cloves, as I like to pickle them.

Christine, some garlics will easily top 4 feet in height, when grown in proper conditions.

There are several differences between hardneck and softneck. From a culturing point of view, the most important one is that hardnecks send up scapes (like a flower stalk), which has a bulbous mass at the end called a spathe. Inside the spathe are bulbils---tiny, round cloves that often are mistaken for seed, which they are not.

Softnecks, generally, do not send up scapes except rarely with stressed.

From a culinary viewpoint, the most important difference is keeping ability. Hardnecks have their skins loosely surrounding the clove. This means they peel easily. But the tradeoff is that they don't keep as long as softnecks. Geneally, 6-9 months is the best you can expect. Softnecks have their skins attached tightly. This makes them more difficult to peel, but they keep much better. As much as a year.

Garlic varieties within both groups have a vast diversity of tastes and heat levels. Something else that varies is where in the mouth you feel the heat, and when it hits.

Thank you both for the great information! :) I am learning more every day! I will have to watch mine to see what they are, and will definitely save some of the cloves to replant this fall. I have read so much about scapes, that I hope mine get them!
Thank you again...
Christine

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Garden Club website

In zone 7 east coast Yes you can grow hardnecks and softnecks. And it is a good idea to plant both because how well they do often depends on the winter temps.
This is what WE have found after 10 years growing and exprimenting with Aprox 40 varieties.
Silverskins (softnecks) don't like our climate

Artichoke (softnecks ) love our climate and will do good no matter what kind of winter (we are down to 3 varieties we really like)
Lorz Italian (strong and spicy)
Inchilliam (great garlic for eatting Raw)
Kettle River Giant (It is the biggest garlic in our garden except elephant and it makes beutiful braids

Hardnecks

Rocamboles types don't do well here it is not cold enough for them We usually grow one variety because we like the taste they never get big

Purple stripe some varieties do well some years. We are growing several varieties and haven't decided with does best yet

Porcelain We grow Music it doesnt get huge like it does up north but still does well.

Turbans Like our weather and shorter growing season. they are kin to artichokes but have a flower stalk

Asiatics It is our first year for these but they look great they are kin to artichokes but have a flower stalk

Creoles Don't like it here they like the Deep South best