- Botanical name: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis 'Violet Queen'
- Common name: Cauliflower
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
- Key features:
- Prefers rich soil
Cauliflowers are tasty and nutritious vegetables that can survive temperatures down to -10°C. Choose the right varieties and time your seed sowing well, and you could harvest crops right through the year. The leaves are also edible. Once the central head has been cut, smaller heads will be produced.
Cauliflower ‘Violet Queen’ is a vigorous cultivar with rich purple heads that can be eaten raw or cooked, which will turn the heads green. Like other brassicas, cauliflower ‘Violet Queen’ thrives in a fairly heavy, alkaline soil – if your soil is acidic, add lime. Grow in a sheltered spot in firm, rich, well-drained soil in full sun. The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded cauliflower ‘Violet Queen’ its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Plant deeply, 60cm apart, and protect from birds and insects. Water well after planting.
How to grow Brassica 'Violet Queen'
-
Plant size
60cm height
50cm spread
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Brassica 'Violet Queen' and wildlife
Brassica 'Violet Queen' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Brassica 'Violet Queen' poisonous?
Brassica 'Violet Queen' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Brassica 'Violet Queen'
