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Herbaceous Perennial

Asparagus officinalis 'Pacific Purple'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A high yielding, colourful variety producing stringless, dark-green purple spears between April and June. The spears are more tender and sweeter than many other green varieties. Steam or eat raw as colour can be lost when cooked

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple
Summer Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
Potentially harmful
The young shoots (spears) are edible when cooked. Wear gloves for picking spears as they may a cause skin allergy. Fruits are harmful if eaten
Genus

Asparagus can be evergreen or deciduous perennials or subshrubs, sometimes climbing, with tuberous rootstock. Stems bear both inconspicuous scale-like leaves and larger, leaf-like phylloclades, with small white or pinkish flowers followed by red berries

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Plant one year old crowns or sow seed direct between March and April. Do not harvest in first year, half-harvest in second year and take a full harvest in the third year. See vegetable cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by crowns. Although propagation by seed is possible, it is not advisable as seedlings take longer, and may not be male cultivars which produce better plants

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Cut a few spears, if any at all, in the first two years to allow the plant to build up strength. Cut the foliage when yellowed to 2.5cm above the soil

Pests

May be susceptible to asparagus beetle and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot and root rot

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