Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) 'Red Admiral'

RHS Plant Profile
broccoli (purple sprouting) 'Red Admiral'
broccoli (purple sprouting) 'Red Admiral' Michael John Day
Annual Biennial

An upright, branching, biennial with oblong, wavy-edged, blue-green leaves. The sideshoots, or spears, are topped with purple-flushed buds and harvested as sprouting broccoli from autumn to spring. This cultivar produces high quality spears, of good flavour and texture, and can crop for up to two months

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile soil in full sun. See broccoli cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to damage by birds and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to club root