Flower Specifications
- Season: Annual
- USDA Zones: 4 - 9
- Height: 12 - 16 inches
- Bloom Season: Fall and winter
- Bloom Color: Mix
- Environment: Full sun
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, pH 6.6 - 7.3
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 65F
- Average Germ Time: 7 - 14 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: 1/8 inch
- Sowing Rate: 1 - 2 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 14 - 16 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Ornamental Kale
Ornamental Kale (Brassica Oleracea) - Ornamental Kale provides beautiful ornamental color from early fall well into winter with frilly green outer leaves and pink, white or purple centers. These cold hardy annuals easily establish from Ornamental Kale flower seeds, and as the rest of the flowers in the garden are dying down, Ornamental Kale is just getting started! It takes the cool weather for Ornamental Kale to start showing their true colors. Light and moderate frosts will intensify the beautiful coloring of these plants. If the winter is moderate, it can survive all winter, and in the early spring when temperatures warm, Ornamental Kale will bolt giving yet another attractive look for the landscape.
Ornamental Kale flower seeds should be planted 6 - 10 weeks before the first anticipated frost. If you sow the flower seeds too early, the warm weather will keep the color from forming in the young plants. You can either plant in starter trays and transplant once the plant is large enough, or sow Ornamental Kale flower seeds directly outside. Plant the flower seeds 1/8 inch deep, 6 inches between seeds, and 18 - 24 inches between rows if planting directly outside. Keep soil moist during germination. This frost tolerant annual should be grown in full sun in a moist, well-drained soil. Ornamental Kale plants benefit from several applications of a balanced liquid fertilizer during their bloom period. Any plants that don't look the way you want, feel free to eat! While not as tasty as the normal garden kale, the plants are still edible.
