Brassica oleracea Black Leaf seeds - Ornamental kale

'Black Leaf' ornamental cabbage is an F1 hybrid variety with finely wavy leaves in a very dark purple, almost black. This cousin of kale from the vegetable patch (Brassica oleracea Acephala group) can decorate the garden or balcony from autumn until the heart of winter. Its rapid growth, good cold tolerance and impeccable performance in pots as well as in borders make it a reliable choice. The colour of its foliage intensifies as soon as the nights cool down.

Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, 'Black Leaf' ornamental cabbage is a horticultural variety intended more for ornament than for the kitchen. It is an exclusive selection from the Dutch company Evanthia. This variety is described as 'voluminous', with tightly packed, wavy and serrated leaves, in a purple-green so dark it appears black. It shows excellent cold tolerance and fits the standards of cut flower series while remaining highly decorative in a pot.
This cabbage forms a dense rosette in the first season (autumn-winter cultivation). In open ground, ornamental cabbages form clumps of 30 to 45cm in both height and width; in cut-flower production, this selection develops stems of 60 to 80cm bearing a compact terminal rosette. Growth is rapid: 14 to 16 weeks from sowing to the decorative stage. The foliage is evergreen throughout winter in temperate climates, with spatulate to obovate leaves, strongly wavy and toothed, 15 to 25cm long depending on vigour, with prominent purple veins. The decorative 'flowers' are not true flowers: flowering occurs in the second year, in spring in the form of small yellow flowers with 4 petals (cruciate) grouped in clusters.
Like all brassicas, ornamental cabbage can be subject to clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) and bacteriosis (black rot); the risk of attack is limited by a long crop rotation, a neutral to slightly calcareous soil, regular but not excessive watering and good air circulation. The plant withstands frost well, down to about –15 °C.

'Black Leaf' works well in an autumn-winter border, an ornamental vegetable bed or in pots on a contemporary terrace. In a container, create a long-lasting scene from September to February with pansies (Viola × wittrockiana), a bright sedge like 'Evergold' and a purple heuchera such as 'Obsidian' or 'Black Pearl'; its ample, very dark foliage enhances light tones and fine textures. Place it in small groups of 3 to 5 plants in a border, with light grasses (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Heart', Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’), tall autumn sedums and compact hardy chrysanthemums.

Please note: like all kale, it is edible, but ornamental selections are firmer and more bitter; it is best to harvest a few young leaves from untreated plants, finely sliced, to prepare a salad, a quick stir-fry or chips.