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Annual Biennial

Lactuca sativa 'Mascara'

lettuce (leafy) 'Mascara'

A large oak-leaved lettuce with large, uniform heads of deeply lobed dark red leaves which have a mild flavour. Good resistance to bolting and copes well in hot summers

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Bronze Red
Summer Bronze Red
Autumn Bronze Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Tufted
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun on moisture-retentive soil. Sow a short row every fortnight to ensure continuity of cropping. Use cloches or biodegradable horticultural fleece to protect early and late crops. See lettuce cultivation for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be suceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and downy mildews

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