Grow These “Vegetables” for Fall Color
Cabbage is one of the most widely cultivated leafy vegetables. Along with its close relative, Kale, cabbage is a cool-season crop, sown in spring for fall and winter harvest. It is a staple food in many European countries, and the main ingredient in two well-known foods, coleslaw and sauerkraut.
The plants described and represented here are close relatives of Head Cabbage, but are grown for decoration only and not for food. However, they are edible, but have a rather bitter taste. Still, they can be used as a colorful garnish for salads, appetizer trays or other dishes.
horticultural origin
Ornamental cabbage and kale belong to the Acephala group of the species Brassica oleracea, a member of the mustard family native to southern and western Europe. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are also members of this species, but they are found in different groups. These are all cultivated plants with horticultural origins and are not found in nature. Ornamental cabbage and kale have been hybridized for their colors and leaf shapes at the expense of flavor.
Various Varieties
There are a number of varieties of ornamental cabbage and kale, which can be roughly divided into two groups: those with smaller leaves with smooth, wavy edges, and those with larger leaves with heavily fringed lace edges. In both types, the outer leaves are always green or bluish green. The central rosette is white or cream, or shades of violet pink or reddish purple. There is a newer F1 hybrid called ‘Peacock’, with long, narrow, deeply cut leaves that give the plant a snowflake appearance.
____________________________________________________________________________
How to Grow Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Ornamental cabbage and kale are annuals grown from seed sown in late spring. They are great for fall and winter color and can be worn in many ways. When used as landscape plants, the leaf shapes and color combinations provide an interesting palette for unusual designs. They are ideal for pots, tubs and window boxes, either alone in a mix of the varieties, or planted together with fall-blooming plants such as mums. An effective method is to plant the different colors and varieties close together in concentric circles, or other geometric patterns, in a large, shallow bowl or tub.
Easy to grow from seed.
Sow seeds outdoors in late spring or early summer in trays, seedbeds, or uncovered frames. Cover the seeds lightly. They will germinate in 2-3 weeks at a temperature of 60°-65°F. Put the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them so that the cotyledons (seed leaves) are at ground level. Store them in a sunny but cool place. The soil must be rich and well drained; add some extra organic matter, like compost or leaf mold, to the regular potting soil.
Ornamental cabbage and kale need plenty of water and weekly feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer. They will grow quickly and should be potted into larger pots (or their final location, if desired) as needed. They can then be planted in the garden or tubs at any time during the growing season.
As temperatures begin to drop in late summer or early fall, stop fertilizing. Leaves will begin to color when suitable temperatures drop to 50°F or below. The more temperate the climate, the longer they will continue to color.
Discard the plants when they begin to “bloom” later in the winter or spring. You can let them bloom and collect seeds if you wish, but it’s best to buy fresh seeds each year.
____________________________________________________________________________
medical plant
Cabbage and kale are subject to numerous insect and disease problems.
Keep an eye out for “chewers,” particularly cabbage worms and cabbage worms. These will leave unsightly holes in the leaves (or no leaves, if the infestation is severe) that will mar the appearance of the plant. Remove them by hand and use an insecticide.
–Rootworms can infect seedbeds; they are less of a problem in potted plants later on. The plants will look wilted and begin to decline. Water with an insecticide.
–Club root fungus can be a serious problem in garden beds, primarily where other cruciferous plants have been grown. As with rootworms, the roots are attacked and the plant will look wilted and may even die. Your nurseryman may also recommend a special fungicide for watering, but this may not help in advanced cases. Destroy plants and remove infected soil, and wait several years before replanting cabbages or their relatives there. Reducing the acidity of the soil by liming also helps.
NOTE: Pesticides not used according to label directions can be harmful to humans, animals, and plants. Use only pesticides that are labeled with instructions for use in the home and garden. Always read and follow label instructions.
____________________________________________________________________________
purchase advice
Ornamental cabbage and kale seed is available from mail-order seed catalogs and sometimes from nurseries. Potted plants are also often available at nurseries in the fall.
Shelf Life: Annual
Season: Autumn and winter.
Difficulty Quotient: Easy, but pests and diseases can be a problem.
____________________________________________________________________________
Soon
size and growth rate
Fast-growing annuals with colorful leaves, which may be heavily fringed along the edges. It can grow up to 12 inches or more wide and 12 to 15 inches tall.
flowering and fragrance
Odorless white or creamy yellow flowers on a spike that “shoots” from the center.
light and temperature
The plants need full sun to maintain their compact shape. However, temperatures should be cool: in hot summer areas, a southern exposure is too hot. Leaves begin to color in the fall when night temperatures drop below 50°F.
irrigation and feeding
Plenty of water should be provided, never let the plants dry out. Feed weekly with diluted liquid fertilizer during the summer, but stop feeding towards the fall.
Soil and transplant
Use rich, well-drained soil that is neutral or slightly alkaline.
Cleanliness
None
extension
By seed.
Ambient
Use them as garden plants, or in large tubs, containers, or planters.
