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Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

Brassica oleracea

November 12, 1999
One goal which many gardeners strive for, is having year-round color in their gardens. However, locating a plant which maintains it's color and shape when the ground is frozen solid may seem to be somewhat of an impossibility. Very few flowers bloom during the cold winter months, and the foliage which graced the garden with it's beautiful fall colors, has long since fallen to the ground.
To fill this winter time slot, botanists looked to Brassica oleracea.... more often known as cabbage.
(Broccoli, edible Kale, Collard Greens and Cauliflower all share this botanical designation).
Through hybridizing by cross pollination, flowering (or ornamental) cabbages and kales came into existence.
These plants are very showy, and come in a variety of colors, ranging from white to pinks, purples or reds. The ornamental cabbages and kales look much the same as their edible cousins, but the ruffled foliage is much fancier and more colorful.
Ornamental cabbages and kales do not tolerate summer heat, but are extremely cold-tolerant. They can survive winter temperatures as low as 5 degrees F. if they are gradually acclimatized. While a sudden cold snap can be deadly, light and moderate frosts will intensify the brilliant coloring of these plants.
When purchasing ornamental cabbage or kale, look for a plant with a short rosette-type stem. Generally, if these plants were allowed to become rootbound in their pots, they will not get much larger after they are planted, so it may pay to buy the biggest plants you can find, even though they may cost more.
They may be grown indoors in a large pot. However, the length of time that they will last in the home will vary, depending on the temperature. A brightly lighted, cool room, is the best location .

Ornamental cabbage and kale prefer cool weather. Although plants may be set out in the spring and allowed to grow through the summer, the best time to plant them is in the fall.
Planting them in August or early September will allow the plant to become established, but if the temperature isn't cool enough, this will result in a leggy, relatively colorless plant. Planting before the first frost also means that you will have to contend with cabbage loopers, which bore unsightly holes through the plant.
The colorful pigmentations which these plants are known for, do not appear until after prolonged cool weather and several frosts.
Ornamental cabbage and kale should be planted in a sunny location in a moderately moist, rich soil.

Ornamental cabbage and kale are grown from seed.

It is best to sow the seeds directly into the garden, where they will grow. The exact timing for sowing and planting will depend on your local conditions. Sow your seeds about six to ten weeks before the first anticipated frost.
Plant the seeds in rows, spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, allowing 6 inches between seeds. Cover the seeds with 1/8 inch of fine soil, and pack it lightly. Keep soil moderately moist during germination.
Ornamental cabbage seeds require light for germination, so do not cover them with soil.
The seeds will germinate and sprout in one or two weeks, depending upon weather and soil warmth. When the young plants are about 3 inches tall, thin them out, leaving the strongest and best plants spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart. Although they may be sown indoors at any time of the year, without cool temperatures they won't attain much color.
For starting seeds indoors, I recommend that they be sown directly into a large 6-8 inch pot, to avoid the problems associated with transplanting. Once the seeds of ornamental cabbage are sown, place the flat or pot in the refrigerator for 3 days to expediate germination. Ornamental kale does not need this pre-chilling.

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