Crop type: Cabbages
Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) ‘Regency’
Common name: Cabbage ‘Regency’
Crop slug: cabbages
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
‘Regency’ is a summer cabbage with an RHS Award of Garden Merit. Compact plants form very uniform hearts on strong bases, giving the crop good standing ability. Dark-green outer leaves enclose a tight, light-green pointed heart that can be harvested from June through September.
The cultivar combines a small clump-forming habit with a long summer harvest. Its even pointed heads and two-tone dark outer and light inner foliage are the main visual identifiers.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
These compact dimensions suit orderly rows and smaller plots. Maintain enough separation for each uniform pointed heart to receive full light and airflow.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, loam and sand
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Use fertile soil that drains well while supporting steady summer growth. Firm the planting ground around the strong base, and avoid acidic conditions where clubroot is more likely.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H2 — tolerant of cool conditions but not freezing, appropriate for a summer crop cut between June and September
Choose a sunny, sheltered bed and maintain moisture during dry periods. The strong base and standing ability help heads remain usable, but they should still be checked regularly once firm.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
| Season | Flowers | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | Green | — |
| Summer | — | Green | — |
| Autumn | — | Green | — |
| Winter | — | — | — |
Green foliage is recorded from spring through autumn. The overview adds the useful distinction of dark-green outer leaves around a light-green heart. An em dash means no colour is supplied for that field and season.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Brassica comprises annual, biennial and perennial plants, usually upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. It includes cabbages and many other food crops such as turnips and mustards.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow ‘Regency’ in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors from February to April and transplant when seedlings have five or six true leaves. Alternatively, direct-sow from March to April at a depth of 1cm, leaving 30cm between seed rows. Firm plants securely after transplanting.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown indoors or directly outdoors.
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove only faded outer leaves and cut the complete heart once it is firm and reaches the required size.
Pests
Potential pests include birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage gall weevil, cabbage root fly, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, flea beetles, mealy cabbage aphid, slugs, snails and swede midge. Fine mesh and regular inspection help protect the crop.
Diseases
The profile lists possible susceptibility to black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, foot and root rot, leaf spot and white blister. Rotate brassicas and provide suitable drainage, pH and airflow.