Daubenton's green Perpetual Cabbage - Brassica oleracea var. ramosa

Perpetual kale 'Daubenton's Green' (Brassica oleracea var. ramosa) is an old variety of perennial kale still appreciated for its robustness, longevity and generous production of tender young shoots. Forming a bushy clump that can reach 1 m in height and spread, this kale does not develop a heart and rarely flowers, allowing it to produce leaves almost all year round. This variety is little affected by common cabbage diseases and resists pests such as flea beetles and cabbage whites. It is perfectly suitable for permaculture or organic vegetable gardens and grows easily in any rich, deep soil, even very clayey, that does not dry out in summer.

Perpetual kale 'Daubenton’s Green' belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is part of the group of non-heading cabbages (Acephala), such as kale or curly kale. The botanical species Brassica oleracea originates from the Atlantic cliffs of Western Europe — particularly the coastline of Brittany, the English Channel and the Iberian Peninsula — where wild populations can still be found today. These primitive cabbages gave rise to a multitude of vegetable cultivars.
The variety ‘Daubenton’s Green’ is said to come from old forage forms cultivated as early as the Victorian era. Very sparingly flowering and reproducing exclusively by cuttings, it has been passed down from gardener to gardener without intensive selection. Its name pays tribute to the French naturalist Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton (1716–1800), who is said to have described this plant and its value for livestock. The plant forms a bushy clump with a rounded habit, highly branched, almost resembling a small shrub. It shows rapid growth from the first year and can reach a height of 90cm to 1.50m, or even up to 1.80m if not pruned. Its spread is equally generous, easily reaching 1m to 1.50m depending on growing conditions. The plant generally lives between 5 and 7 years, but can survive much longer if regularly propagated by cuttings.
The foliage is dense and very decorative. The leaves are medium-sized, bright green to medium green, slightly lobed, sometimes curly, with a thick but tender leaf blade. Arranged alternately along the stems, the leaves renew themselves continuously. The foliage is semi-evergreen: it remains in place in winter in mild climates, but may dry out in case of frost or prolonged drought. The robust stems are sometimes slightly woody at the base, branch easily and can produce roots if they are laid down or partially buried. Flowering is extremely rare in this variety, ‘Daubenton’s Green’. In exceptional cases, it produces small yellow flowers with four petals, typical of crucifers. As the plant does not regularly flower, it does not produce viable seeds and must therefore be propagated exclusively by vegetative means.

Harvest from September to May. Pick the young leaves or small side shoots, always leaving a few leaves on each stem to ensure the plant's vigour. Harvest by hand or with secateurs, as needed.
The leaves can be kept for a few days in the refrigerator, but they are much better eaten fresh. They can also be frozen or dried for later use.

In the kitchen, Daubenton kale is distinguished by its mild, delicate flavour, not very bitter. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, while more developed leaves can be cooked: steamed, sautéed, in gratins, used in soups or even as kale chips. Their texture is pleasant, and their taste remains mild, even after cooking. In winter, the leaves tend to become sweeter, making them even more flavoursome.

The gardener's tip: mulching helps retain soil moisture and limit weeds. It is advisable to lightly prune the plant in summer to stimulate branching and the production of young shoots.
Very easy to propagate, Daubenton's Green roots easily from cuttings or layering: simply take a healthy stem, replant it in soil or a pot, and keep it moist until roots appear.