Botanical Name:
Brassica oleracea (Acephala group)
General Description/History:
Ornamental Kale is a vegetable closely related to broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. They look very much like brightly coloured cabbages. While most kales are loose–leafed, ornamental kales produce cabbage-like heads with white or purple-pink centres and green outer leaves. Heads are made up of close packed leaves with frilly or serrated edges.
Ornamental kale is a popular garden plant, and enjoys cold weather. They are also available as flowering pots. Most are grown in the field in colder regions of Victoria and Tasmania.
Common Names:
Flowering Kale, Kale, Ornamental Cabbage, Ornamental Kale
Country Of Origin:
Europe
Available Colours:
Blue, Cream, Green, Pink, Purple, White
Availability:
What to look for:
- Buy when heads are tightly packed;
- Avoid heads with dried or brown frilly leaf edges.
Flower Care:
1. Keep cool at all times.
2. Recut stem and place in water immediately.
3. Using a preservative is optional.
4. Replace water regularly.
5. If growing in a pot, place the pot outside during cold nights to recondition – these plants do not like hot, dry conditions. Water regularly ie every 2 to 3 days.
Interesting Facts about this Flower:
Ornamental kale is one of few vegetables regularly used in floristry.
