Description... This is a vegetable that because of ornamental good looks, is grown in the herbaceous garden for its stem colour. This cabbage-like plant has bright red stems and deeply crinkled, crumpled leaves that are shiny and corrugated. They are deep red-black with a pronounced central vein. If you position it with the light behind, it will take on a ruby glow. Swiss chard is a delicious vegetable. To harvest it, pull off the outside leaves and the remainder of the plant will continue to grow.
Typically available as
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Seeds
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Bulbs
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Plants
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Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla 'Ruby Chard'
Planting your new plant
Water the plant thoroughly when you get it home, and plant out as soon as possible. Make the hole for the plant larger that the pot it is in and the same depth. When removing the plant from the pot, squeeze the sides of the pot to loosen it. Loosen the roots of the plant, put the plant in the hole spreading the roots to encourage them to grow outwards. Fill round the edges of the rootball with soil to the same level as the surrounding soil.
Care for your plant
Plants in containers need plant food to thrive when in growth. Seek advice from your retailer regarding best product(s). Follow the packet instructions when applying plant food. Remove fading flowers to encourage fresh ones.
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