About
This heritage variety from 1885, this red and green butterhead lettuce is very attractive, with beautiful crumpled deep red leaves and an open structure around a small heart. It has an excellent flavour and can be harvested as baby leaves as needed or as a whole. While it can be sown nearly all year round, best results are achieved if you sow in the spring and early autumn. It can take most weather a British winter throws at it but would benefit from protection from snow and frost during the winter months, such as a cloche or horticultural fleece. Sow February to March under cover, and then March to May and September. Harvest May to December if the winter is mild.
About the genus
Lactuca can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with alternate leaves, milky white sap and daisy-like flowers in white, yellow or blue. The genus includes a wide range of wild plants, as well as species cultivated for their edible leaves (lettuce)
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationThin seedlings as soon as the first true leaves appear and continue until the plants are 30cm (1ft) apart. The seedlings you thin out can be added to salads. Water when the soil is dry, ideally early in the morning. Harvest May to December if winter is mild. See lettuce cultivation for more information.
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to birds, slugs, snails and lettuce root aphid.
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds and lettuce downy mildew. Lettuce mosaic virus can affect overwintering crops.