Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) 'Red Fire'
broccoli (purple sprouting) 'Red Fire'
A British bred, hardy annual vegetable grown for its exceptional yields of high quality, medium sized dark purple spears with an excellent flavour and texture. Over-winters well and easy to pick
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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Purple | Green | ||
| Winter | Purple | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well compacted, non-acid soil in full sun. Sow indoors between April-June and transplant out in June. Harvest between October and March. 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 whitefly, cabbage root fly, cabbage caterpillar, cutworms, slugs and snails, flea beetle, swede midge
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root, downy mildew, leaf spot
Get involved
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