View Larger Mangelwurzel

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden Fruit Garden & Nursery

  • Botanical Garden
  • Fruit Garden & Nursery

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

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    Mangelwurzels are incredibly large beets, sometimes over a foot long. They have typical red and green foliage, but their roots can weigh as much as 10 lbs.

    Latin Name

    Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris


    Family

    Amaranthaceae


    Also Known As

    Mangold , Fodder beet , Mangel beet


    Type of Plant

    Annuals Annuals
    Crops Crops

    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 2'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1'

    Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Colors


    Native Range

    Europe


    History

    In April of 1788, Washington planted Root of Scarcity (mangelwurzels) in his vineyard enclosure.


    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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