Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group) 'Olivia'
kohlrabi 'Olivia'
A hardy biennial, grown as an annual vegetable. This is a high quality green-skinned variety with upright dark-green leaves and a small, globe shaped, light green, swollen stem which is edible. Slow to bolt with a super tolerance of mildew and other fungal diseases. Good for successional cropping if sown every 3 weeks or so
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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 light, non-acid, free draining soil in full sun. Green varieties can be sown early. Sow seed direct from March to July, 1.5cm deep in drills 30cm apart, thin out to 15cm between each plant. Or start indoors and transplant out in May-June. See Vegetable Cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, cabbage root fly, cutworms, flea beetle, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root, leaf spot
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.