Brassica oleracea 'Nine Star Perennial'
A hardy, heritage variety, overwintering to produce crops for three or fours years before plants begin to decline. Produces a large, yellowish central head each year, surrounded by several smaller heads
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Yellow | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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, firm, moist but well-drained soil, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Plant out 90cm apart; these are large plants needing plenty of space. Where possible, avoid growing brassicas in the same soil year on year, to prevent the build up of soil-borne diseases. See broccoli cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seed for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
Harvest when heads are well formed and tight, before flowers begin to open. Remove any unused heads before they go to seed, to improve cropping
Pests
May be susceptible to cabbage root fly, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly and mealy cabbage aphid
Diseases
May be susceptible to black leg, downy mildews, powdery mildews, and club root particularly in acidic soil
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