Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'Fantasy'

RHS Plant Profile
chard 'Fantasy'

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Annual Biennial

A leaf beet variety considered to be the best tasting Red Chard with a mild, juicy flavour and no harsh after taste. It shows excellent tolerance to downy mildew and can be successionally sown throughout Spring and Summer for a harvest of baby leaf or mature leaves

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

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

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Beta can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, often with rosettes of basal leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus includes a range of wild species, as well as cultivated food crops such as beetroot, chard and sugar beet
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, rich, free draining soil in full sun or partial shade. Sow direct between March and July, 2.5cm deep and 10cm apart or sow indoors in modules and transplant when large enough to handle. See vegetable cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to birds, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds. Shows excellent tolerance to downy mildew