Alphabetical Plant Listing

Crambe maritima (Sea Kale)

Sea Kale, Sea Cabbage, Sea Colewort, Seakale


Crambe maritima (Sea Kale) is a robust herbaceous perennial forming a fantastic clump of large, lobed, wavy-edged powdery-blue leaves. Resembling cabbage leaves, they form a bold foliage mound that is handsome in its own right. In summer, dense sprays of small, fragrant creamy-white flowers are carried above the foliage. Aside from being ornamental, Sea kale is also a popular vegetable in parts of Europe, where shoots are blanched in the spring and eaten like asparagus. It is also useful in coastal areas where salt spray and saline soils are common.

  • Grows up to 30-36 in. tall (75-90 cm) and 24-30 in. wide (60-75 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in deep, fertile, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soil and partial shade. Provide shelter from strong winds. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Excellent choice for beds and borders, coastal gardens, cottage gardens or vegetable gardens.
  • Keep an eye out for slugs and club root.
  • Cut down to 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 Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
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,Late)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Botanik Foto, Shutterstock

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 – 9
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,Late)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United Kingdom
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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