Zea mays 'Swift'
sweet corn 'Swift' (extra tender sweet)
This popular, quick growing 'extra tender-sweet' variety is well adapted to British conditions, producing one to two, well filled 20cm long cobs per plant, from late summer
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | Green Yellow | |
| Autumn | Green | Green | Green Yellow | |
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
A genus of five, large, flowering plants the grass family. The most important species, Zea mays is widely cultivated food crop. Male flowers are borne in large, terminal inflorescences (tassels) and female flowers are hidden in clusters in the leaf axils
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Needs a long, warm growing season. Start seeds under glass in mid-spring and plant out, or sow direct, after all risk of frost has passed. Plant in blocks (to aid wind pollination) in fertile soil in a warm, sunny, sheltered position. See Grow your own sweetcorn.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to mice eating seeds, slugs and snails eating young plants and birds and badgers taking the crop
Diseases
May be susceptible to maize smut
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.