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 |
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 |