French scorzonera (Reichardia picroides)

Description

Reichardia picroides Size: 50cm high x 30cm spread Perennial salad plant, produce long slim roots (long with dark brown to black skins) with roots up to 1 metre in length. The roots are  highly regarded for their flavour Easily grown in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Grows best in a shady position in summer, where it will produce better quality leaves. It prefers plenty of moisture in the growing season, though it is fairly drought tolerant once established. Plants are very tolerant of poor soils. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. It is likely to be hardier when grown in a soil on the poor soil, though the leaves will not be so tender nor so freely produced. Plants are also likely to be hardier in well-drained soils and dislike very wet weather. Plants are often short-lived, though they are self-sowing quite freely. Not attractive to slugs and snails which is an added bonus! Scorzonera is a perennial flowering in its second year, therefore select the best looking and best tasting roots for replanting soon after digging in the fall. *see ‘Additional information’ tab for plant care and harvest.