Plant Type

Annual, Vegetable

 

Height Range

Under 1', 1-3'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

Winter, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green, Grey Green, Light Green, Yellow Green, Grey, Pink, Purple, Red, Silver, White, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

Container

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Flowering kale and flowering cabbage are fall stables for containers. Grown for the interesting leaf forms and colors, these annuals thrive in our long, cool falls. Though the leaves are edible, they aren't as tasty as their garden kin, but they look lovely on a serving tray cradling other morsels. Typically they grow about 12 to 18 inches tall, and about as wide. The leaves of flowering cabbage tend to be more substantial and plate-like, while flowering kale foliage is more cut and feathery.

Grow in rich, well drained soil. Prefers the cooler weather of early spring or fall. Tolerates a hard frost and even some snow. Though they like a moist soil, as they are typically planted in the fall that means you probably only have to water periodically.