Crop type: Chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens ‘Charlotte’
Common name: Chard ‘Charlotte’
Crop slug: chard
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
‘Charlotte’ is a highly ornamental chard with dark-green foliage, dark-red veining and long, deep-red stalks. Its colouring explains why it is sometimes described as rhubarb chard. The plant has a neat upright habit, performs well in pots and ornamental borders, and shows very good resistance to bolting. Young leaves can be ready for salads in about eight weeks.
The cultivar holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It combines edible productivity with a strong architectural display: outer leaves can be harvested regularly while the vivid central stalks and veined foliage continue to colour a vegetable bed or mixed border.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1–2 years
Although generally cropped in its first year, the plant is botanically biennial and can persist where winter and soil conditions are suitable. Its compact dimensions suit large containers as well as open ground.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Clay and loam
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral or alkaline
Use fertile soil improved with garden compost or well-rotted manure, ideally added in autumn before sowing or planting. Maintain even moisture through dry periods so the leaf blades and long stalks remain tender and productive.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun or partial shade
- Aspect
- East-, north-, south- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H3 — hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK, tolerating approximately -5°C to 1°C
The cultivar is adaptable to any aspect where it receives sun or light shade and protection from damaging wind. Its bolting resistance is useful when spring conditions fluctuate or plants are grown in containers.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Green foliage marked by dark-red veins appears in spring and remains decorative through summer and autumn. Long red stalks provide the strongest colour from summer into winter. The contrast between glossy dark leaves and saturated red midribs gives ‘Charlotte’ a more uniform appearance than multicoloured chard mixtures.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming and upright
- Name status
- Unresolved
Genus
Beta includes annual, biennial and perennial plants, often forming basal leaf rosettes and fleshy roots. Cultivated representatives include chard, beetroot and sugar beet.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow from March to May and plant module-grown seedlings outside from May to September once established and hardened off. Choose fertile ground in full sun or partial shade, add compost or well-rotted manure before planting and water during dry weather. Space plants so upright rosettes have good airflow.
Harvest young leaves for salads from around eight weeks after sowing. For mature plants, remove outer leaves cleanly when large enough and keep the central growing point intact. ‘Charlotte’ is well suited to city gardens, cottage plots, large patio containers and ornamental borders where its red stalks can be displayed among flowers.
Propagation
Propagate by seed.
Pruning
No formal pruning is required. Remove outer leaves when large enough to harvest, along with damaged or decaying foliage.
Suggested planting locations
Suitable for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, patio containers, flower borders and vegetable plots.
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cutworms, lettuce root maggot, root aphid, root-knot eelworm, slugs and snails. Protect seedlings and inspect crowns regularly, especially in damp weather.
Diseases
Possible diseases include grey mould, lettuce downy mildew, mosaic virus and ring spot. Maintain spacing and airflow, water at soil level where practical, and remove affected leaves promptly.