Ornamental Kale Brassica oleracea (Ornamental Kale Group)
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Raphanus brassica-officinalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka ol-ur-RAY-see-uh
- Description
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The ornamental kale group contains both ornamental kale and cabbage. These plants have been bred for their aesthetic appeal rather than for consumption. They are biennials grown as annuals.
The plants grow 1-2 feet tall and wide and do best in full sun in amended, well-drained moist garden soils. Plant transplants as the weather cools in the fall. They are cold tolerant to 5 degrees F. If attempting to grow them from seeds they will need to be maintained in a cool environment until planted to prevent bolting.
These plants grow in a wide rosette of colorful and often crinkly leaves. They come in shades of white, red and purple with the color intensifying as the temperatures drop below 50 degrees. In their second year, they will produce a cluster of small yellow flowers. Although grown for their looks, they are also edible if you choose.
Plant them in masse, in borders, along walkways or in containers in a fall/winter garden.
Insects, Pests and other Plant Problems: Cabbageworms, cabbage loopers, aphids, caterpillars and slugs are insects that may cause problems for broccoli. Leaf spot, blackleg, and black rot are health issues.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems.
More information on Brassica oleracea
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- ‘Chidori’ Series
Purple leaves and very curly leaf margins - ‘Color Up’ Series
Cabbage with upright growth habit in in white, blush pink or fuchsia. - ‘Nagoya’ Series
Heavily crinkled leaves in fuchsia pink, lavender, yellow green to creamy white. - ‘Osaka’ Series
Compact, fast growing in pink, red or white - ‘Peacock’ Series
Compact with deeply serrated, feathery red or white leaves.
- ‘Chidori’ Series
- ‘Chidori’ Series, ‘Color Up’ Series, ‘Nagoya’ Series, ‘Osaka’ Series, ‘Peacock’ Series
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘Chidori’ Series
Purple leaves and very curly leaf margins - ‘Color Up’ Series
Cabbage with upright growth habit in in white, blush pink or fuchsia. - ‘Nagoya’ Series
Heavily crinkled leaves in fuchsia pink, lavender, yellow green to creamy white. - ‘Osaka’ Series
Compact, fast growing in pink, red or white - ‘Peacock’ Series
Compact with deeply serrated, feathery red or white leaves.
- ‘Chidori’ Series
- ‘Chidori’ Series, ‘Color Up’ Series, ‘Nagoya’ Series, ‘Osaka’ Series, ‘Peacock’ Series
- 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
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- Stem, buds, leaves, flowers, and young seed pods. Use within a couple days of refridgeration, though heads and leaves can be frozen for long-term storage.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Although rarely left to set seed, broccoli forms long pods with many round seeds. They can be eaten when young and immature. The fruits dry and split when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Large flowering heads on a tree-like structure are eaten as a vegetable.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large colorful leaves in a rosette form, Shades of green, white, pink, purple
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses
