Ornamental Kale Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Brassica oleracea subsp. acephala
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka ol-ur-RAY-see-uh
- Description
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The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. Kale, collards, and borecole (a form of kale) are cool-weather plants or winter greens in the Acephala group. They are the most similar to wild cabbage in appearance. They are often planted in the fall for winter interest lasting into spring.
Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat— one serving is both low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals, including 200 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement. Kale can be grown in the home garden in rows, planted in containers, or even used as an accent plant in the landscape. It needs 12-18 in. of space to be successful, though edible kale can be planted as densely as 6 in. apart if harvesting when small. In containers, it can grow in a minimum size pot of 6 gal. with as shallow as an 8 in. depth.
Among the edible Acephala group, 'Blue Curled Scotch' is a variety that is nutritious and delicious. It can be used in salads or stir-frys. Another edible in this group is 'Lacinato'. It has a sweeter, milder taste than other varieties of kale. 'Georgia Southern' is a common cultivar of collards with large leaves and little bitterness.
These plants grow best in full sun and rich, loamy, moist, well-drained soil. They grow best in cool temperatures and may need some afternoon shade to survive in the summer heat.
Once growing well, there are few insect problems after a frost occurs. Flea beetles are the exception. These insects overwinter as adults in plant debris. In early spring, they often become active. If there are extended warm spells in the winter, they may also come to kale and other crucifers to feed. If you like the sweetest leaves, harvest after the first frost. To encourage plants to continue to grow, harvest the larger leaves, allowing the center leaves to continue to produce.
Cultivars with colored leaves are considered ornamental, and not edible.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, slugs, aphids, and caterpillars are insects that may affect the plants' health. Diseases may include leaf spot and black rot.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves undulate to fringed, tinted white to purple
- Large, fleshy, glaucous leaf in a basal rosette
More information on growing, purchasing and cooking kale
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Vegetable Garden at Reynolda Gardens Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Curled Scotch'
A sturdy compact kale with dark green leaves that are tender and delicious. - 'Coral Prince'
Ornamental. Creamy white centers surrounded by feathery green leaves. - 'Coral Queen'
Ornamental. Deep red center surrounded by green leaves. - 'Georgia Southern'
A popular edible cultivar of collard greens. Great flavor along with heat and cold tolerance. - 'Jersey Longjack'
Ornamental. Grown up to 10' tall. Stems are used for walking sticks. - 'Kamome'
Ornamental. Red leaves or white centers with fringed green leaves. - 'Lacinato'
Also called Dinosaur, Toscano, or Tuscan kale. Has dark blue leaves, tender, great taste. - 'Nagoya'
Ornamental. Red, white or rose centers with fringed purplish-green leaves. - 'Nagoya Garnish Red'
Ornamental kale with frilly leaves. - 'Red and White Peacock'
Ornamental. Red or cream colored. - 'Redbor'
Ornamental with upright habit, curled leaves, deep purple color. - 'Sparrow Red'
Ornamental. 1'-1.5' wide rosette of red leaves surrounded by fringed green leaves. - 'Sparrow White'
Ornamental. 1'-1.5' wide rosette of cream colored center surrounded by fringed green leaves.
- 'Blue Curled Scotch'
- 'Blue Curled Scotch', 'Coral Prince', 'Coral Queen', 'Georgia Southern', 'Jersey Longjack', 'Kamome', 'Lacinato', 'Nagoya', 'Nagoya Garnish Red', 'Red and White Peacock', 'Redbor', 'Sparrow Red', 'Sparrow White'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Curled Scotch'
A sturdy compact kale with dark green leaves that are tender and delicious. - 'Coral Prince'
Ornamental. Creamy white centers surrounded by feathery green leaves. - 'Coral Queen'
Ornamental. Deep red center surrounded by green leaves. - 'Georgia Southern'
A popular edible cultivar of collard greens. Great flavor along with heat and cold tolerance. - 'Jersey Longjack'
Ornamental. Grown up to 10' tall. Stems are used for walking sticks. - 'Kamome'
Ornamental. Red leaves or white centers with fringed green leaves. - 'Lacinato'
Also called Dinosaur, Toscano, or Tuscan kale. Has dark blue leaves, tender, great taste. - 'Nagoya'
Ornamental. Red, white or rose centers with fringed purplish-green leaves. - 'Nagoya Garnish Red'
Ornamental kale with frilly leaves. - 'Red and White Peacock'
Ornamental. Red or cream colored. - 'Redbor'
Ornamental with upright habit, curled leaves, deep purple color. - 'Sparrow Red'
Ornamental. 1'-1.5' wide rosette of red leaves surrounded by fringed green leaves. - 'Sparrow White'
Ornamental. 1'-1.5' wide rosette of cream colored center surrounded by fringed green leaves.
- 'Blue Curled Scotch'
- 'Blue Curled Scotch', 'Coral Prince', 'Coral Queen', 'Georgia Southern', 'Jersey Longjack', 'Kamome', 'Lacinato', 'Nagoya', 'Nagoya Garnish Red', 'Red and White Peacock', 'Redbor', 'Sparrow Red', 'Sparrow White'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- oleracea
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean
- Edibility:
- Leaves are edible raw or cooked. Cooking can help to tenderize tough leaves.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Short-beaked siliqua 5" long and round in cross-section. They dry and split when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Rarely flowers, a terminal raceme with 20-40 flowers. 4 petaled yellow to yellow-white, clawed with 6 stamens.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Pinnatisect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant can be green, purplish, pink, red to white, purple, or marbled. Loose rosettes (not solid heads), lyrate or pinnately divided, with undulate and sometimes fringed margins, thick, glaucous.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- Usually unbranched
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses
