Great Design Plant: Ornamental Cabbage and Kale — Winter's Living Sculpture

Ornamental cabbage and kale are plants I love designing with. Like succulents, they aren't flowers but offer rosette shapes that tuck beautifully among other plants year-round, with an unexpected winter bonus.

In milder climates seeking intense color and texture over winter, these are perfect.

Plant Profile

• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea
• Common names: Ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale
• Water requirement: Average
• Light requirement: Full sun to light/dappled shade
• Mature size: 6 inches to 2 feet diameter
• Benefits: Low-maintenance drama
• Seasonal interest: Winter color/texture in mild climates; spring interest in cooler climates

Distinguishing Traits

Sometimes called flowering cabbage/kale, they're grown for striking foliage, not flowers. Edible despite "ornamental" labels. Cabbages form flower-like rosettes; kale forms looser, leafy growth. Popularity stems from intense colors and textures.

How to Use It

Spectacular as bedding and container plants, combining well with evergreens and cool-season annuals like pansies, violas, snapdragons, stock, and alyssum. Look for B. oleracea 'Peacock Red/White', 'Nagoya Red/White', 'Osaka Pink/White'.

Planting Notes

Buy in 1-gallon containers; smaller 4-inch pots may stunt or mature too slowly. Choose a sunny site — they tolerate light shade but color and growth are livelier in full sun. They handle cold, but cover for freezing rain/ice to avoid damage. Water well before expected freezes.

More ideas for winter gardening