Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'Charlotte'
chard 'Charlotte'
A highly ornamental chard with dark green foliage with dark red veining and long, dark red stalks which is why it is sometimes referred to as 'rhubarb chard'. Shows very good resistance to bolting and good for growing in pots and ornamental borders. Sow March-May, plant out May to September. Young leaves can be harvested for salads within around 8 weeks
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green Red | ||
| Winter | Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Beta can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, often with rosettes of basal leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus includes a range of wild species, as well as cultivated food crops such as beetroot, chard and sugar beet
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. Add compost or well-rotted manure in the autumn and keep watered in dry conditions. See chard cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove outer leaves when large enough
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cutworms, lettuce root maggot, root aphid, root knot eelworm and slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey mould, lettuce downy mildew, mosaic virus and ring spot
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.