Sea kale
A perennial with dusty, blue-green leaves that grows to 2′ tall, Sea kale is native to northern Europe, the Baltic and Black sea area. It has stalks of small white or cream flowers. Like all the plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae,) each of it’s flowers has four petals. The seeds fall into the sea and float to their new home. It can also spread like a tumbleweed, the dry fruit stalks blowing across rocky screes and shores. There are around 29 other species of Crambe, found in Europe, Africa and Asia.
I first ran across the name of this plant while putting together lists of perennial vegetables. Today at the nursery I admired it as we rearranged the plants. The foliage is deep purple and ruffled as it emerges from its pot. I had a question about it from a customer on hardiness. It can grow in zones 5 to 9. The young stalks are eaten in spring. Often they are blanched in the garden like asparagus or endive.
hello!
my strawberry begonia is, as promised, putting out sweet little runners. should i just let them latch on where they please? also the curly willow is now in leaf again!!
hope you are well. talk to you soon.
e.