9 Top Types Of Ornamental Cabbage Flowering Kale

But wait until a frosty night breathes life into these cruciferous lovelies. Bright pink, frosty white, and moody purple tones appear on leaves that grow ever larger as the plants mature, giving hostas a run for their money when it comes to winsome foliage. Leaves are often deeply ruffled, giving each plant the effect of a single, giant frost-proof blossom. Best of all, ornamental cabbages and kales are a piece of cake for a first-time gardener to grow, requiring nothing more than a sunny site and a shovelful of compost to get them off to a healthy start.  It can be confusing to distinguish between the terms “cabbage” and “kale” when it comes to these ornamental varieties. Technically, they’re all kales, but those sold as kales tend to produce their leaves in tight rosettes with ruffled leaves. Those sold as cabbages form denser heads with more rounded leaves. In the horticultural trade, “flowering kale” is the term used for varieties with curly, frilly, or ruffled leaves, while “ornamental cabbage” is the term used for types with flat leaves edged with a contrasting color.  Here are nine ornamental cabbage and flowering kale varieties to consider for your garden.

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (grown as annuals)Height: 10 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (grown as annuals)Height: 12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (grown as annuals)Height: 24–30 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (grown as annuals)Height: 8–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (grown as annuals)Height: 8–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11Height: 8–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11Height: 8–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11Height: 8–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun

Native Area: Southern and western EuropeUSDA Growing Zones: 2–11Height: 8–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun