Ornamental kale and cabbage are the sorts of crops I really like to design with. I think of those plants since I do succulents; they are not flowers but provide a flower or rosette kind of silhouette. They can be tucked into gardens among many other sorts of plants and appear incredible throughout the entire year, and offer an unexpected bonus over winter.
If you reside in a milder climate and are on the lookout for intense colour and texture, especially over winter, these crops are perfect for you.
J. Peterson Garden Design
Botanical name: Brassica oleracea
Common names: Ornamental cabbage, decorative kale
Water requirement: Average
Light requirement: Full sun to light or dappled shade
Mature size: 6 inches to 2 feet in diameter
Advantages and tolerances: Low-maintenance drama in the garden
Seasonal interest: Winter colour and texture in mild climates; spring interest in cooler climates
J. Peterson Garden Design
Distinguishing traits. Although sometimes referred to as flowering cabbage or flowering kale, these crops are grown for their striking foliage instead of flowers. They are edible too, though they are tagged “ornamental.”
Their prevalence is due to the extreme colours 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 magnificent container and bedding plants, mixing nicely with evergreens as well as additional 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’, also B. oleracea ‘Osaka Pink’ or ‘Osaka White’.
J. Peterson Garden Design
Planting notes. Buy these crops in 1-gallon containers; smaller dimensions like 4-inch pots may have stunted growth or may take too much time to mature. Choose a sunny site for these — but they will tolerate a light or dappled shade, their growth and colour will probably be healthier and livelier in fuller sun.
They’ll take chilly temperatures, however if you’re expecting freezing rain or ice, make certain to pay them up to avoid harm. Water before an frost.
More thoughts for winter gardening