ORNAMENTAL KALE AND CABBAGE

Are you looking for some beautiful fall garden color?

By: Julie Barnes

Ornamental cabbage and kale are prized for their large rosettes of white, pink, or purple leaves.  Both are considered kales, being in the same species as edible cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.  While ornamental cabbage and kale are edible, they tend to have a bitter flavor and are mainly used as garnishes. Because cool weather (night temperatures in the forties to low fifties) is needed to bring out their colors, they are best planted in the fall.

Ornamental kale types have deep-cut, curly or ruffled leaves.

Ornamental cabbage types have rounded broad flat leaves that are edged in contrasting color.