Colorful Kale
Pansies are a good choice for winter color, but ornamental kale is a great option that is often overlooked. Ornamental kale is a group of plants that should be used more in the home landscape. Comments I have heard include “you only see it planted in commercial landscapes”. I thought so also until I saw the light, or should I say the ornamental kale. It’s an easy to care for plant and who wouldn’t like that when the temperatures start to dip. Ornamental kale is available in a variety of color combinations that can be considered shocking. The color of the plant centers range from whites, pinks, and purples. The colors are intensified as the temperatures fall. A variety that has performed really well in Mississippi, and in fact has been chosen as a Mississippi Medallion winner, is Redbor kale. The crinkly leaves of Redbor turn an incredible dark red through the winter months. Redbor should be planted about 18 inches apart to allow for the best development. Ornamental kale likes to be planted in raised beds with well-drained consistently moist soil. This is a vigorously growing plant that needs steady nutrition. Always add a tablespoon of slow release fertilizer directly into the transplant hole, followed by monthly feeding with water soluble fertilizer to keep your ornamental kale beautiful. Ornamental kale is edible and usually used as a garnish, so feel free to use it to spice up your dinner plate as well as your landscape. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.