Crop type: Celeriac
Apium graveolens var. rapaceum ‘Brilliant’
Common name: Celeriac ‘Brilliant’
Crop slug: celeriac
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Brilliant’ is a smooth-skinned celeriac cultivar selected for easy preparation and dependable storage. Beneath its upright celery-like foliage it forms a rounded, pale swollen stem with crisp white flesh that does not discolour after cutting. This useful kitchen quality helps the harvested crop retain an attractive appearance.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
The crop reaches harvestable size within one annual growing cycle.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Clay, loam and sand
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral or alkaline
Rich, moisture-retentive ground supports an even, smoothly developed swollen stem.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H4 — hardy through an average UK winter
Choose a sunny sheltered bed and keep young plants warm until established outdoors.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
No seasonal colours are assigned. The edible feature is the relatively smooth pale skin and white interior flesh, contrasting with the columnar green foliage.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar and upright
- Name status
- Accepted
- Breeder
- Michael John Day
- Potentially harmful
- Plant sap may harm skin in sunlight; wear gloves and protective clothing when handling
Genus
Apium includes annual, biennial and perennial herbs with divided or pinnate leaves and tiny white summer flowers held in umbels.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. Incorporate plenty of organic matter before planting. Sow indoors in March and transplant outside in May once conditions are suitably mild, keeping the crown at soil level.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, normally sown indoors for the long growing season.
Pruning
No pruning is required, although fallen outer leaves may be removed during routine crop care.
Pests
Plants may be susceptible to carrot fly and celery leaf-mining fly.
Diseases
Plants may be susceptible to celery leaf spot.