Alphabetical Plant Listing

Crambe cordifolia (Flowering Sea Kale)

Flowering Sea Kale, Heart-Leaved Colewort, Greater Sea Kale, Colewort


Statuesque and impressive, Crambe cordifolia (Flowering Sea Kale) is a handsome herbaceous perennial boasting huge, dark green, lobed leaves, up to 12 in. wide (30 cm). Resembling cabbage leaves, they form a bold foliage mound. In early summer, branched sprays packed with hundreds of small, sweetly fragrant white flowers hover above the foliage. Lasting about 3 weeks, the large inflorescences are reminiscent of huge plants of baby’s breath. Loved by bees and butterflies, they provide a spectacular floral show. Crambe cordifolia makes a magnificent specimen with its enormous foliage and airy clusters of white flowers. It is also invaluable in the perennial border where its haze of flowers provides a lightly scented cloud at the back of the border.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 4-7 ft. tall (120-210 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in deep, fertile, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soil and partial shade. Provide shelter from strong winds.
  • Excellent choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens, or wildlife gardens.
  • Keep an eye out for flea beetles, slugs, caterpillars, club root.
  • Cut down to the ground level in autumn.
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn or propagate by division in early spring or take root cuttings in winter.
  • Native to the Caucasus.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 6 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 4' – 7' (120cm – 210cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 40" – 48" (100cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Coulanges, Shutterstock, Clive Nichols

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 6 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 4' – 7' (120cm – 210cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 40" – 48" (100cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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