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Kale, Ornamental

Annual Flower

Also known as Flowering Kale
Brassica oleracea var acephala, ornamental kale
Brassicaceae Family

Flowering Kale brings a delightful bit of color and green foliage to the fall and early-winter garden.

	Site and Plant Characteristics
	Growing Information
	Varieties

Site Characteristics

Sunlight:

full sun

Provide some shade in areas where afternoons are warm.

Soil conditions:

requires well-drained soil

Prefers cool soil. Performs best after temperatures drop below 50�F.

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 0.75 to 1.5 feet

Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet

Flower color: inconspicuous

Foliage color: variegated

Leaves vary in color, depending on the variety. Colors include: pink, white, cream, green hues, purple, and red. The leaves are deeply lobed and feathery, and have ruffled and frilled edges.

Shape: cushion, mound or clump

The plants form dense rosette mounds.

Shape in flower:

same as above
inconspicuous flower

Special Considerations

Tolerates:

frost - Often remains colorful and showy into early winter.

Special characteristics:

non-aggressive
non-invasive
not native to North America - Europe

Special uses:

edible landscaping

Growing Information

How to plant:

Propagate by seed - Start the seeds indoors or outdoors in midsummer for fall use. Do not cover, as light aids germination.

Germination temperature: 65 F to 70 F

Days to emergence: 10 to 14

Maintenance and care:

Fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting to the garden or larger pots.
More growing information: How to Grow Annuals

Varieties

�Red and White Peacock�: Deeply cut leaves are feathery and showy. The rosettes have red or cream colored centers surrounded by green leaves. As winter approaches, the centers deepen in color and expand in size. Grows 1 to 1 �� tall.
�Coral Queen�: deep red centers surrounded by feathery green leaves.
�Coral Prince�: creamy white centers surrounded by feathery green leaves.
�Sparrow Red�: 1� to 1 �� wide rosette of red leaves surrounded by fringed green leaves.
�Sparrow White�: same as �Sparrow Red�, with cream colored center instead of red.
�Kamone� Series: red or white centers surrounded by fringed green leaves. Dwarf plants.
�Nagoya� Series: Red, white or rose colored centers surrounded by fringed purplish-green leaves.