Cichorium intybus 'Leonardo'

RHS Plant Profile
radicchio 'Leonardo'

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Annual Biennial

A raddichio for late summer and autumn cropping. The large, tightly closed heads take on a good red colour as night temperatures drop

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Cichorium can be annual or perennial plants with loosely branched stems bearing toothed or pinnately lobed leaves and dandelion-like, usually blue flowers which close by early afternoon, in summer
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant out young plants 30-45cm apart in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Keep plants well-watered and remove any weeds. See growing chicory in vegetable cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds