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Brassica oleracea 'Glamour Red'

Image of Brassica oleracea 'Glamour Red' (Acephala Group)

All-America Selections

Family

Brassicaceae

Botanical Name

Brassica oleracea 'Glamour Red'( Acephala Group)

Plant Common Name

Glamour Red Kale, Ornamental Kale

General Description

Bearing large chrysanthemum-like rosettes of frilly, brilliantly colored leaves, this 2011 All American Selection is the first ornamental kale to win AAS honors. Typically grown as annuals, ornamental kales derive from Brassica oleracea, a fleshy-leaved biennial from coastal areas of western and southern Europe.

Wide as dinner plates, the dense heads of large ruffled leaves have a large deep magenta-pink "bulls-eye" surrounded by a bright green halo. The outermost leaves are bronze-purple. Colors develop and are strongest when nights are consistently cool. The rosettes are borne near ground level on short stubby stems which elongate in hot weather. In their second year, plants produce sprays of four-petaled lemon yellow flowers in spring or early summer.

Flowering kales prefer full sun and fertile, organic-rich garden soil with ample drainage. Although tolerant of subfreezing temperatures, they will perish in severe cold. Ornamental cabbages and kales do best in cool weather, becoming leggy and drab in warm conditions. Sow seeds in the chill of early spring or in mid- to late-summer. Plants reach full size about 90 days after sowing. This cultivar may also be purchased as plants.

This easy to grow plant is beautiful in fall gardens and containers. Combine it with asters, pansies and mums in the autumn garden, and violas and spring bulbs in late winter and spring. It makes a spectacular "cut flower" for fall decoration. The edible leaves add color and zest to salads or stir-fries.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    6 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Vegetable

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm

  • Width

    12"-14" / 30.5cm - 35.6cm (12)

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Northern Africa

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Rosette/Stemless

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Purple, Rose, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Purple, Rose, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Purple, Rose, Bronze

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes