broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. Italica | Also known as: Sprouting Broccoli ‘Purple Sprouting’ | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

It’s broccoli, Jim – but not as we know it…

Brassica oleracea var. Italica or Purple Sprouting Broccoli is an edible variety with compact purple colour flower heads that appear in the spring. Purple sprouting broccoli has come into favour over recent years and can be found on many restaurant menus. This variety thrives in alkaline loamy or sandy soil. It's a tasty and unusual alternative to the usual green broccoli. It does take up space in the vegetable garden, that's why you'll pay more for it at the greengrocers than the larger green broccoli. Snip off the buds for your cooking and you should find new shoots will appear.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.3 - 0.5
Spread [m]
  • 0.45
Dominant flower colour
  • Inconspicuous or absent
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
Environment
Acidity
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z6-11
Heat zone
  • H6-1
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -23 - 4
Heat days
  • 0 - 60
Moisture
  • well-drained
Soil type
  • sandy
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Vegetables & herbs
  • Vegetables
Grown for
  • Culinary use
Creative category
  • Kid Approved
  • Outdoor food
Garden type
  • Kitchen garden
Gardening expertise
  • intermediate
Time to reach full size
  • 1 to 2 years
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