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Annual Biennial

Daucus carota 'Purple Dragon'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

carrot 'Purple Dragon'

'Purple Dragon' is grown as an annual for its edible taproot. Tapering roots with a reddish-purple skin and yellow-orange core up to 22cm long are ready for harvest approximately 80 days after sowing

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Apiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Daucus are more commonly known as wild carrot, a group of herbaceous, biennial (although not always) plants which can reach a height of between 30 to 60cm. The triangular shaped leaves are tripinnate, divided and lacy and flowers begin in pink buds, opening into small and white clustered together in dense umbels. The fruit is small, hairy and lumpy.

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a deep, fertile, well drained soil in full sun; do not sow in soil that has been manured within the previous year

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Carrot root fly and aphids may be troublesome

Diseases

May be affected by root rot, Sclerotina diseases and powdery mildews

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