Lactuca sativa 'Marvel of Four Seasons'
lettuce 'Marvel of Four Seasons'
A heritage variety from 1885, this red and green butterhead lettuce is very attractive, with beautiful crumpled deep red leaves and an open structure around a small heart. It has an excellent flavour and can be harvested as baby leaves as needed or as a whole. While it can be sown nearly all year round, best results are achieved if you sow in the spring and early autumn. It can take most weather a British winter throws at it but would benefit from protection from snow and frost during the winter months, such as a cloche or horticultural fleece. Sow February to March under cover, and then March to May and September. Harvest May to December if the winter is mild.
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red | |||
| Autumn | Green Red | |||
| Winter | Green Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Lactuca can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with alternate leaves, milky white sap and daisy-like flowers in white, yellow or blue. The genus includes a wide range of wild plants, as well as species cultivated for their edible leaves (lettuce)
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Thin seedlings as soon as the first true leaves appear and continue until the plants are 30cm (1ft) apart. The seedlings you thin out can be added to salads. Water when the soil is dry, ideally early in the morning. Harvest May to December if winter is mild. See lettuce cultivation for more information.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, slugs, snails and lettuce root aphid.
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and lettuce downy mildew. Lettuce mosaic virus can affect overwintering crops.
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.