Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) 'Red Spear'
broccoli (purple sprouting) 'Red Spear'
A hardy biennial grown as an annual vegetable. A heavy yielding, vigorous variety with dark purple spears noted for its excellent performance in the garden. It can be harvested early in the year, between Feb-March, when the kitchen garden can be scarce
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Purple | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Purple | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Brassicas can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped, yellow or white flowers. The genus includes a number of species bred to produce food crops, such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape, as well as others grown for their ornamental value
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well compacted, moist but well drained, non-acid soil in full sun. Sow indoors between March and April and transplant out in June or sow direct between March and June at a depth of 1cm and 30cm apart. See broccoli cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage root fly, cabbage whitefly, cabbage caterpillar, cutworms, flea beetle, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root, grey mould, downy mildew, leaf spot
Get involved
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