Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

Ornamental cabbage and kale are popular cool season annuals. Their colorful leaves brighten the fall and for some, the winter landscape. But what’s the real difference between these two.

Both plants are types of Brassica oleraceas like those commonly grown in our vegetable gardens.  Ornamental and the less ornamental cabbages are in the capitata group. These form heads while the kale varieties are in the acephala group, growing more upright.

You can identify ornamental cabbage by the rosette or cluster of broad flattened leaves. These may be tipped in red, pink, purple or cream and make a nice focal point in the garden or container. Kale forms a tighter more upright cluster (rosette) of leaves making it a great vertical accent. The colorful leaves may be smooth, ruffled or lacy.

Watch the color intensify and deepen as temperatures drop throughout the fall and early winter.

A bit more information: These foliage plants combine nicely with colorful annuals like pansies, alyssum, stocks and dianthus.  Or plant them in the garden or containers with mums and asters.

Tags

flowers-ornamental-grasses vegetables-herbs-fruits cabbage kale

Related

Audio

Lettuce, Kale and Collards - Harvest Tips for Maximum Flavor and Nutrition

Audio

Holes in Cabbage, Broccoli and Kale leaves

Audio

Plant Broccoli, Kale and More Now for Fall Harvest

Audio

Soil Temperature Influences When to Plant

Audio

Quick DIY Weekend Projects

Audio

Cancer Fighting Vegetables

Audio

Grow Your Own Smoothie Ingredients

Audio

Grow Braising Greens Indoors or Out

Audio

Grow Your Own Baby Kale Indoors

Audio

Heat Tolerant Greens

• <
• 1 (current)
• 2
• 3
• >