King of the Cold: Ornamental Cabbage & Kale
Looking to add interest to the fall and winter landscape? This year, plant ornamental cabbage and kale for bold textures and vibrant colors.
About Ornamental Cabbage & Kale
Unlike most other annuals and perennials, these two hardy plants improve in appearance after a frost or two, which bring out more intense and brilliant colors in their foliage – perfect as an autumn accent or centerpiece plant. Identified by a number of names including floral kale, decorative kale, ornamental-leaved kale, flowering kale and flowering cabbage, ornamental cabbage and kale are classified as Brassica oleracca (Acephala group). Offering unlimited use in the landscape, these plants have large rosettes of gray-green foliage richly variegated with cream, white, pink, rose, red and purple. Kale leaves are frilly edged and sometimes deeply lobed.
While typical ornamental kale and cabbage varieties are easy to find, you can also try more unusual options, including dwarf varieties as well as upright, taller hybrids that can even be used in cut arrangements.
Using These Attractive Plants
Popular in borders, grouped in planting drifts, or planted in containers for the deck or patio, ornamental cabbage and kale typically grows to 12-18” high and wide, depending on the cultivar. Plant these specimens at least 12” apart in an area with full sun that has moist, well-drained soil. Organically rich soil with proper compost or fertilization is best to provide adequate nutrition for these lush plants. Although they are able to withstand light frosts and snowfalls, ornamental cabbage and kale will typically not survive hard freezes and are best treated as showy annuals.
The best foliage color will occur if ornamental cabbage and kale is planted in early fall as temperatures are cooling, or you can sow seeds 6-10 weeks before the first anticipated frost date – just be sure the seeds have sun exposure in order to germinate properly. These plants are usually attractive in the garden until Thanksgiving or slightly later, or in mild climates they may even last until spring temperatures begin to rise. Hint – when the plants smell like cooked cabbage, it is time to pull them out!
While these plants are superficially similar to the familiar cabbage and kale vegetables popular in salads and other edible uses, it is important to note that ornamental varieties are cultivated for color and shape rather than taste. Keep them out of the kitchen and in the garden instead, and you won’t be sorry!
FAQ
What are ornamental cabbage and kale?
Ornamental cabbage and kale, also known as floral kale, decorative kale, flowering kale, or flowering cabbage, belong to the species Brassica oleracea (Acephala group). They feature large rosettes of colorful foliage and are grown for visual appeal rather than taste.
How do they enhance fall and winter landscapes?
These hardy plants actually look better after experiencing frost—as temperatures drop, their foliage intensifies in color, making them ideal as autumn accents or striking centerpieces in the landscape.
What colors and textures can I expect?
You’ll see beautiful rosettes in shades of cream, white, pink, rose, red, and purple. Kale typically has frilly-edged or deeply lobed leaves, while ornamental cabbage has larger, smoother foliage.
How should they be used in garden design?
Ornamental cabbage and kale are versatile—they work well in borders, mass plantings, or decorative containers on patios or decks. They generally grow to about 12–18 inches tall and wide. Plant them in full sun with moist, well-drained, organically rich soil, spacing around 12 inches apart.
Are these edible cabbage and kale like the ones in salads?
Though they belong to the same species as edible cabbage and kale, ornamental varieties are cultivated for their vivid color and shape—not taste. They tend to be bitter and are best kept in the garden rather than the kitchen.
Melanie has been with the family garden center business since 1999, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every aspect–from cashiering and greenhouse production to bookkeeping, perennial buying, marketing, and store management. Now serving as Finance and Marketing Director, she combines her expertise with a passion for growing the business. She and her husband, Russ, have loved seeing how plants, gardening, and beautiful landscapes bring joy to our community.
