Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Ornamental Kale, Ornamental Cabbage

Description:

This ornamental variety grows upright, producing branches of purplish-red foliage that deepens in cooler weather; a stunning garden accent; great fall and early winter color; tasty leaves can be harvested in winter

Ornamental Features

Redbor Kale is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. Its attractive crinkled round leaves remain red in color with showy purple variegation throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Redbor Kale is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Redbor Kale is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Redbor Kale will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Redbor Kale is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.