Scientific Name
Cichorium intybus 'Roseum'
Common Name(s)
Pink Chicory
Scientific Classification
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Cichorioideae
Tribe: Cichorieae
Subtribe: Cichoriinae
Genus: Cichorium
Flower
Color: Light pink
Bloom Time: Summer
Description
Cichorium intybus 'Roseum' is a perennial plant that sends up a flower spike from a basal rosette of leaves in summer. The stems are slender, up 4 feet (1.2 m) tall, and bear light pink daisy-like flowers that are at their best in the mornings.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 4a to 11b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Seeds can be started indoors five to six weeks before moving outdoors. In warm climates, sowing outdoors or transplanting occurs from September through March. Planting Chicory in cooler climates should be done three to four weeks before the danger of frost has passed.
Sow Chicory seeds 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) apart in rows 2 to 3 feet (60 to 0) apart. You can always thin the plants if they crowd each other, but close planting discourages weeds. The seeds are planted ¼ inch (6 mm) deep, and thinning is done when the plants have three to four true leaves.
You can also sow a crop for fall harvest if you choose a variety with an early maturation date. Planting Chicory seed 75 to 85 days before the anticipated harvest will ensure a late crop.
Chicory plants that are to be forced for blanched leaves will need to have the roots dug up before the first frost. Cut the leaves to 1 inch (2.5 cm) and store the roots for three to seven weeks in the refrigerator before forcing. Plant the roots individually after chilling to force the leaves to grow in a tight, blanched head.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Chicory.
Origin
This plant is a cultivar of Cichorium intybus.
Links
- Back to genus Cichorium
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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