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Annual Biennial

Brassica oleracea (Italica Group) 'Cardinal'
  • RHS AGM

broccoli (purple sprouting) 'Cardinal'

Purple-sprouting broccoli to 60cm tall producing medium to large dark purple spears ready to harvest from spring into early summer

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

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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 fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or very light shade. Where possible, avoid growing brassicas in the same soil year on year, to prevent the build up of soil-borne diseases. See broccoli cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

Harvest when heads are well formed and tight, before flowers begin to open

Pests

May be susceptible to cabbage root fly, caterpillars, cabbage whitefly and mealy cabbage aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to club root, brassica downy mildew, brassica white blister and powdery mildews

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