Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla 'Bright Lights'
Swiss chard, Common beet
Also known as Beta vulgaris 'Bright Lights'
- Height × spread
- 0.45m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an ornamental plant that is also edible! It has thick stems that are a vivid red, orange and yellow. The leaves are green and purple with coloured central ribs. They are long, fairly slender and beautifully corrugated, and they arch strongly out from the central stem. General care: Give these a sunny or partly shaded site in light but rich well drained soil. This needs water during dry periods and is not drought tolerant. It is a biennial that is often grown as a half hardy annual. This stands around 45cm (18in) in both height and spread.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.45m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.