Kim, I like the Nootka Rose, Silver Rose, Lorz and Thermadrone for a long shelf life bulb. they grow just fine in zone 6 and colder. I know where to get all those varieties and reasonable prices. contact direct if interested. I would go for a purple stripe for a longer shelf life on the hardneck side.

music stores about 6 months tho i have read some people say theirs stored 8,9 months. softnecks store longer than hardnecks as they have higher sulfur compounds (and therefore are hotter) but the bulb is packed tighter and that aids storage. hardnecks are tight but not as tight as softnecks.

french pink and nootka rose are softnecks i have grown for 2 years in ct. i think most softnecks will grow but if you save and replant from stock i have read that they revert to a hardneck! so far those 2 have not done that in 3 seasons+ (i got my seed locally so he has grown them for X years) but garlic is a strange plant. as i said i read that but i have no proof that it happens or how many seasons it takes if it does happen.

tom