Castelfranco Endive Seeds – Italian Winter Rose Radicchio Heirloom Garden SeedsCichorium intybusListing is for 1 packet of approximately 100 seeds Castelfranco endive (often called radicchio variegato or “winter rose”) is an Italian heirloom chicory from the town of Castelfranco in Veneto, bred in the late 19th century by crossing Treviso radicchio with escarole. This unique cross yields rosette‑shaped heads with creamy green to pale yellow leaves speckled with burgundy flecks, giving it a flower‑like appearance and nicknames like “orchid lettuce” and “edible flower.” Unlike darker radicchios, Castelfranco is known for its milder sweet‑bitter flavor and tender, crisp texture, making it a versatile star in salads, slaws, sandwiches and grain bowls, or lightly cooked in soups, braised dishes, risottos and even desserts. It thrives in cool, fall‑to‑winter gardens thanks to cold‑hardy genetics (tolerating down to 25F), and traditional blanching practices that encourage creamy interiors, and can be grown either as full‑size heads or harvested younger for baby greens PLANTINGGermination: 3-14 days Seed Sowing Depth: 1/4” deep, barely press the seeds into the surface of the soil Sowing: Catelfranco is a type of chicory which is a cool season crop, best grown in fall or very early spring. Direct sow seeds 3 months before your first winter frost date. Or for a spring crop, direct sow seeds as soon as the soil can be worked. HOT CLIMATES - only grow in the fall. Direct sow seeds 3 months before your first winter frost date and grow straight through the winter. Follow square foot gardening guidelines for proper spacing - 4 plants per square foot. Days to maturity: 75 days. Usually the entire head is harvested. The outter green leaves are removed to reveal the light green/cream color center head.
