Radicchio 'Rossa di Treviso Precoce'

'Rossa di Treviso Precoce' is a celebrated Italian radicchio variety that performs excellently in the UK, especially for late summer sowings. It produces elegant, elongated, upright heads of deep burgundy-red leaves with stark white midribs. This variety is known for its pleasant, sophisticated bitterness and crisp texture, which adds both colour and a gourmet touch to winter salads. In Britain, it is typically sown in June or July for harvest from September through to December. As the weather turns colder, the red colour often intensifies. It is moderately hardy, though very severe frosts may require the protection of a fleece or cloche. It prefers a well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny position. For those who find the bitterness too intense, the leaves can be grilled or sautéed, which mellows the flavour beautifully. It is a stunning visual addition to the vegetable plot, looking almost like a floral display during the autumn months.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.