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Great Design Plant: Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Yes, you can actually eat them. Or you can just marvel at their striking, unusual foliage during all four seasons in the garden
Houzz Contributor. I'm a landscape designer and freelance garden writer living in hot and humid Austin, Texas. I co-authored "Indoor Plant Decor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants" (St. Lynn's Press) with Kylee Baumle. Follow me on Twitter @MulchMaven or on my Facebook page, J. Peterson Garden Design.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a landscape designer and freelance garden writer... More »
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Ornamental cabbage and kale are the kinds of plants I love to design with. I think of these plants as I do succulents; they aren't flowers but offer a flower or rosette kind of shape. They can be tucked into gardens among many other types of plants and look incredible throughout the year, and offer an unexpected bonus over winter.
If you live in a milder climate and are looking for intense color and texture, especially over the winter months, these plants are perfect for you.
If you live in a milder climate and are looking for intense color and texture, especially over the winter months, these plants are perfect for you.
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| Botanical name: Brassica oleracea Common names: Ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun to light or dappled shade Mature size: 6 inches to 2 feet in diameter Benefits and tolerances: Low-maintenance drama in the garden Seasonal interest: Winter color and texture in mild climates; spring interest in cooler climates |
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Distinguishing traits. Although sometimes called flowering cabbage or flowering kale, these plants are grown for their striking foliage rather than flowers. They are edible as well, even though they are labeled "ornamental."
Their popularity is due to the intense colors and textures, with the cabbages forming flower-like rosettes and the kale forming a looser, leafy growth.
Their popularity is due to the intense colors and textures, with the cabbages forming flower-like rosettes and the kale forming a looser, leafy growth.
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| How to use it. Ornamental cabbage and kale are spectacular bedding and container plants, combining well with evergreens as well as other cool-season annuals like pansies, violas, snapdragons, stock and alyssum. Look for Brassica oleracea 'Peacock Red' or 'Peacock White', B. oleracea 'Nagoya Red' or 'Nagoya White', and B. oleracea 'Osaka Pink' or 'Osaka White'. |
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Planting notes. Purchase these plants in 1-gallon containers; smaller sizes such as 4-inch pots may have stunted growth or may take too long to mature. Choose a sunny site for them — although they will tolerate some light or dappled shade, their growth and color will be healthier and livelier in fuller sun.
They will take cold temperatures, but if you are expecting freezing rain or ice, be sure to cover them up to avoid damage. Water in well before an expected freeze.
More ideas for winter gardening
They will take cold temperatures, but if you are expecting freezing rain or ice, be sure to cover them up to avoid damage. Water in well before an expected freeze.
More ideas for winter gardening
Ideabook published on Jan. 3, 2013.
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Alas, we sold that house and moved on, so I don't know how they're doing now. But if anyone wants to try growing them, maybe buy a bunch, enjoy them in the vase and plant them out later.