Our Favorite Ornamental Cabbage/Kales

Ornamental cabbage and kale (also known as "flowering" cabbage and kale) are in the same species (Brassica oleracea) as edible cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. While ornamental cabbage and kale are edible, they tend to have a bitter flavor and are often used in a culinary setting as garnishes. Ornamental cabbage and kale are prized primarily as colorful additions to home gardens where they are grown for their large rosettes of white, pink, purple or red leaves. Technically, ornamental cabbage and kale are all kales (kales produce leaves in a tight rosettes; cabbages produce heads). But in the horticultural trade, ornamental kale is the term used for types with deeply-cut, curly, frilly or ruffled leaves. Ornamental cabbage is the term used for types with broad, flat leaves that are edged in a contrasting color. Ornamental cabbage and kale grow approximately one foot wide and 15 inches tall.

For beautiful ornamental color from early fall until December, plant Ornamental Cabbages or kales in beds and borders. The center area of foliage will turn from green to red, white or pink (depending on variety) in response to cool fall weather. As a plus, flowering cabbage plants are edible, often used by restaurants as attractive salad garnishes. Sow seeds indoors in June and transplant outside in July for best fall color.

JB231 Flowering Cabbage Landscape Mix
This is for large beds and areas. Easily create a colorful bed that is cold tolerant and easy-to-maintain. Flowering Cabbage uses include edging the flower border or planting in containers for fall and winter interest. These plants contain all pink, all white, or all purple centers with green outer leaves. Nothing looks more elegant or stands out more beautifully in the fall than Flowering Cabbages.
 450mg package ( about 150-175 seeds ) $6.95
IP063 Color Up Red Flowering Cabbage
Red center, surrounded by green. Very compact, round solid heads, waved leaf, long lasting color growing about 6" tall, in full color 12 weeks from seed.
 80mg package ( about 25 seeds ) $2.95
2877 Osaka Series Pink Flowering Cabbage
Wavy, fringed leaves, early bloomer growing about 6" tall.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
2880 Pigeon Series Mix Flowering Cabbage
Mix of Pigeon colors. Smooth round solid heads, slightly waved leaf, extra dwarf.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
JB150 Flowering Kale Landscape Mix
Ornamental Kale provides beautiful ornamental color from early fall well into winter with frilly green outer leaves and pink, white or purple centers. These cold hardy annuals easily establish from Ornamental Kale seeds, and as the rest of the flowers in the garden are dying down, Flowering Kale is just getting started! It takes the cool weather for Ornamental Kale to start showing their true colors.
 450mg package ( about 150-175 seeds ) $6.95
IP345 Yokohama Mix Flowering Kale
Very unique, extra-curly fringed leaves in an assortment of colors. Slow to bolt - longer and stronger performance in the garden.
An added bonus is it improved cold tolerance. Plants fit perfectly into containers, both large and small and adds a striking texture to borders and landscapes. Annual. Height: 5-7". Spread: 8".
 65mg pack ( about 25 seeds ) $2.95
 100 seeds $8.95
D9911 Pink Crane Flowering Kale
Exhibits all the qualities of a fine cut flower - unique coloration, long, sturdy stems and a fresh appearance that lingers long after cutting. Gray-green foliage with pink center rosettes are 5" to 6" across. Height: 24"
 55mg pack ( about 20 seeds ) $2.95
 50 seeds $5.95
SF277 Condor Pure White Flowering Cabbage
A new and unique look for the flower vase. Flowers are pure white with a soft pink center - white color won't fade! Tall stems grow straight making them easy to cut and bunch. Makes one-of-a-kind arrangements and bouquets. Annual. Height: 25-30".
 40mg pack ( about 15 seeds ) $2.95
2891 Chidori Red Flowering Kale
Fringed dark leaf, red center, grows about 8" tall.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
2896 Nagoya Series Red Flowering Kale
Highly fringed leaves turn red in fall, grows about 8" tall.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
2898 Nagoya Series White Flowering Kale
Highly fringed leaves turn red in fall, grows about 8" tall.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
2900 Peacock Series Red Flowering Kale
Feather leafed type, compact, growing about 6 inches tall. The feathery, frilly leaves form a much more open head with a serrated red center and green surround. A standout in the autumn garden that will work well with mums.
It is a bold, round plant that exhibits great color during the Fall months. Just as with ornamental cabbage, kale isn’t very tasty or tender, so chowing down on it is not advised! This fancy leaved plant comes in red and white, and it’s great color makes it perfect for an ornamental.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
IP206 Lucir Rose Flowering Kale
F1 hybrid, long stem for cutting, rose center, ultra glossy waxless deep green leaf, growing about 24 inches tall.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95
IP207 Lucir White Flowering Kale
F1 hybrid, long stem for cutting, white center with pink eye, ultra glossy waxless deep green leaf, growing about 24 inches tall.
  Package of 10 seeds $2.95