Growing Guide
 
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Cabbage, Ornamental

Annual Flower

Also known as Flowering Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var capitata, ornamental cabbage
Brassicaceae Family

Flowering cabbage brings a delightful bit of color and green foliage to the fall and early-winter garden. Its leaves are wavy edged, and form rosettes with pink, purple, red or white centers.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
Provide some shade in areas where afternoons are warm.

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
Flowering Cabbage prefers cool temperatures. They perform best after temperatures drop below 50°F.
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 0.8 to 1.5 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Foliage color: variegated

Leaves vary in color, depending on the variety. Colors include: pink, white, cream, green hues, purple, and red. The leaves have wavy edges.

Shape: cushion, mound or clump

The plants form dense rosette mounds.

Shape in flower:

  • same as above
  • inconspicuous flower
Special Considerations
Tolerates:
  • frost
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America - Europe
Special uses:
  • edible landscaping
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed - Start the seeds indoors or outdoors in midsummer for fall use. Do not cover, as light aids germination.

Germination temperature: 65 F to 70 F

Days to emergence: 10 to 14

Maintenance and care:
Fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting to the garden or larger pots.

More growing information: How to Grow Annuals

Varieties
‘Northern Lights Mixed’: 10” tall, 1 ˝’ wide plants with purple, pink, or cream colored centers surrounded by blue green leaves. Striking.

‘Dynasty’ Series: pink, white or red centers surrounded by green leaves. Grows 8 to 10” tall.

‘Osaka’ Series: pink, white or red centers surrounded by green leaves. The leaves on ‘Osaka White’ and ‘Osaka Pink’ are green-veined; ‘Osaka Red’ leaves are purple-veined.