Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) 'Rookie'
cabbage (red) 'Rookie'
A leafy biennial grown as an annual vegetable. This reliable cultivar is a red cabbage producing dense, round heads of very dark purple-red, well-flavoured leaves. It is very slow to bolt, and one of the earliest red cabbages to mature in mid- to late summer
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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
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | |||
| Autumn | Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical 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 firm, fertile soil in an open, sunny spot. Where possible, avoid growing brassicas in the same soil year on year, to prevent the build up of soil-borne diseases. See Cabbages (Grow your own)
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to cabbage root fly, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, mealy cabbage aphid and damage by birds
Diseases
May be susceptible to club root, particularly in acidic soil
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