These delicious vegetables are grown to eat, but have considerable ornamental merit in the border also due to their large, succulent leaves and thick stems in tantalizing shades of burgundy, white, gold and magenta. Beta vulgaris is the scientific name for beet, and B. vulgaris , cicla group denotes Swiss chard.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsThey are easily grown from seed, and if given ample water and nutrients, can survive the season to continue as large foliage statements of fall.
CareGrow in light, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade.
PropagationDirect sow in situ in early spring or late summer.
ProblemsFungal leaf spots, downy mildew, powdery mildew, damping off, root rot. Pythium, Phytophthora, leaf miners, aphids, caterpillars.
