The distinguishing feature between ornamental cabbage and kale are their leaves. Kale has curly, frilly edges (above), and cabbage has broader, flatter leaves. >>>download photo

Submitted by Dr. Susan Hamilton


Ornamental cabbage and kale are two popular fall plants. Both plants flower, but their flowers are insignificant because people grow these plants for their colorful foliage and their persistence through the cooler, late-season months.

The plants are made up of rosettes of leaves often a foot across and in colors of red, white, pink, purple, light green and mixed colors. The distinguishing feature between the cabbage and kale are their leaves. Kale has curly, frilly edges, and cabbage has broader, flatter leaves.

As night temperatures drop, the colors in the leaves intensify. Don't count on these winter annuals to last until spring like other cold-hardy ones. Many don't survive past January or the first few hard freezes.

These biennials, grown as annuals, prefer full sun and rich, organic soil. Space plants approximately 12 to 14 inches apart. The soil should be kept moist. A general purpose fertilizer, such as granular 10-10-10, or water soluble 20-20-20, is recommended at planting. As October tends to be Tennessee's driest month, take special care to remember the watering needs of these otherwise tough plants.

Ornamental cabbage and kale are most effective when used in mass or as a front border. They can also be used in window boxes and containers. These bold foliage plants also work well in combination with other fall-winter annuals such as pansies, violas, and snapdragons.

Ornamental kale also has edible leaves, but it is primarily grown as an ornamental plant. Both ornamental cabbage and kale belong to the Brassica family, which includes other cool season vegetables such as cabbage, collards, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi.

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Susan Hamilton is an associate professor of plant sciences on the faculty of the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. She is also director of the UT Gardens, which are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. The gardens are open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. More information is available online at http://utgardens.tennessee.edu.