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Italian broccoli [2] | Plant Finder | Fill My Garden

Home/Plants/Climbers

Plants > Climbers

Italian broccoli [2]

Brassica rapa Ruvo Group

Genus: Brassica
Family: Brassicaceae
Common Names: broccoli raab, ruvo kale, turnip broccoli

About this plant

This is the subspecies of Brassica rapa from which broccoli raab or rapini has been bred. It has large waxy, green leaves with wavy to serrated edges and a smooth or slightly wrinkled surface. The flower buds are like green spouting broccoli. The shoot tips including flower buds are harvested, If left to flower fully, they will be yellow, becoming long seed pods. All parts are edible when young

Growing Information

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Spread

0.5-1 Metres

Hardiness

Foliage

Evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Soil

ClayChalkLoamSandy

AlkalineNeutral

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Moisture

Poorly Drained

Aspect

South FacingNorth FacingWest FacingEast Facing

Exposure

ShelteredExposed

Care Guide

Cultivation

Sow seed outdoors in deep, fertile but firm, soil that isn't too acidic. If space is limited, start the seeds in modules or seedtrays and plant outside when big enough to handle easily (about 5 or 6 leaves). Watering through the summer months is very important. For more advice see vegetable cultivation

Pruning

No pruning necessary

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Pests

May be susceptible to flea beetle which can prevent seedlings from thriving and attacked by caterpillars when eggs laid by butterflies, hatch and feed. It is very popular food for pigeons which only netting can prevent. It is also eaten by snails, although once plants are established, this damage isn't usually severe. The cabbage root fly can cause failure to thrive and a heavy infestation of mealy cabbage aphid can spoil the harvest

Diseases

May be susceptible to brassica downy mildew and brassica white blister. In areas where brassicas have been grown before, clubroot can build up in the soil

Garden Uses

Season of Interest

SpringSummerAutumnWinter

Size & Characteristics

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Spread

0.5-1 Metres

Habit

Bushy

Time to Full Height

Two To Five Years