What hardiness zones is Pastinaca sativa 'Gladiator' suitable for?

Pastinaca sativa 'Gladiator' is a biennial root vegetable grown as an annual, reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall (foliage) with a spread of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and an upright habit with a rosette of pinnately compound leaves above a long, tapering, cream-white root. A modern hybrid parsnip (F1), it produces smooth, uniform, wedge-shaped roots 10-14 inches (25-35 cm) long and 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) at the shoulder with fine-grained, sweet, nutty flesh. Faster-maturing and more uniform than open-pollinated varieties—roots are smoother with fewer side branches. Days to maturity 90-105 from direct sow. Growth rate is moderate. Flavor sweetens markedly after frost—cold converts starches to sugars. Canker-resistant.

Native Range

Pastinaca sativa is native to Eurasia—Europe and western Asia. 'Gladiator' is a modern F1 hybrid.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—roasting, soups, mashing, stews, gratins. Sweet nutty flavor after frost. F1 hybrid—smoothest uniform roots. Fastest parsnip 90-105 days. Canker-resistant. Overwinters in ground z5-8. Caution: foliage sap causes phytophotodermatitis. Not suitable for shallow or rocky soil. Slow germination requires patience.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Hollow Crown' by the faster maturity (90-105 versus 100-120 days), the smoother more uniform roots, the canker resistance, and the hybrid (versus open-pollinated) breeding. Distinguished from carrots (Daucus carota) by the cream-white (versus orange) root, the wider shoulder, and the sweeter nuttier flavor. Gladiator parsnip—F1 hybrid, fastest parsnip, smoothest uniform roots, canker-resistant, sweet nutty after frost.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Yellow-green umbel flowers on tall stalks 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) in second year if overwintered. Harvest roots before bolting. All plant parts except the root can cause phytophotodermatitis—sap on skin causes burns in sunlight.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow-green; umbels; second year only

Foliage Description

Medium green; pinnately compound; on upright petioles; sap causes phytophotodermatitis

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

90-105 days from direct sow

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow in spring as soon as soil is workable—seed viability drops quickly, use only fresh seed. Deep, loose, stone-free soil (pH 6.0-7.0) for straight roots. Slow, erratic germination (14-28 days). Thin to 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Consistent moisture. Days to maturity 90-105 from direct sow. Flavor improves after frost. Can overwinter in ground with heavy mulch in z5-8. Caution: foliage sap causes phytophotodermatitis (skin burns in sunlight).