Ornamental Vegetables Growth and Care Guide

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage bring bold texture, brilliant foliage, and lasting color to the garden when most Summer annuals are beginning to fade. Their vibrant rosettes continue to intensify as Winter approaches, making them one of the signature plants of the Fall and Winter gardening season. In this Plant Guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about growing Ornamental Vegetables, including planting, care, the differences between Ornamental Kale and Cabbage, the best varieties, and how to use them to create stunning seasonal containers and landscape displays.

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By: Reggie Meehan (7/28/2026)

Introduction to Ornamental Vegetables

Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage are prized for their spectacular foliage, not their flowers. As Autumn temperatures drop, their centers gradually develop brilliant shades of white, cream, pink, rose, and purple, creating colorful rosettes that often remain attractive well into Winter. Combined with their exceptional cold hardiness and naturally symmetrical growth habit, they provide months of interest when many other garden plants have finished for the year.

Although both belong to the same species (Brassica oleracea), they offer distinctly different appearances. Ornamental Kale produces deeply ruffled or finely fringed leaves that create a softer, more textured look, while Ornamental Cabbage develops broad, smooth leaves arranged in dense, perfectly layered rosettes. Both thrive in cool weather, withstand repeated frosts with ease, and often become even more colorful after chilly nights.

Every Fall we grow thousands of Ornamental Kale and Cabbage, and they're always among the first plants to catch customers' attention. Whether they're planted in mass landscape beds, decorative containers, porch displays, or paired with Pansies, Violas, or Chrysanthemums, they instantly signal that Autumn has arrived. If you're looking for a plant that delivers months of color with very little maintenance, Ornamental Vegetables are hard to beat.

Ornamental Kale vs. Ornamental Cabbage

Although the names are often used interchangeably, Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage have one obvious difference once you know what to look for: the leaves. Both belong to the same species (Brassica oleracea), are grown the same way, and develop their brightest colors as temperatures cool. The distinction is almost entirely aesthetic, allowing gardeners to choose the style that best complements their landscape or container design.

Ornamental Kale

Ornamental Kale is known for its deeply ruffled, fringed, or feather-like foliage that creates tremendous texture in the landscape. The curled leaves give each plant a softer, more relaxed appearance, making it an excellent choice for cottage gardens, mixed containers, and informal plantings where texture is just as important as color. Even before the colorful center develops, the intricate foliage provides plenty of visual interest.

Characteristics include:

• Deeply ruffled, curly, or feathered leaves

• Soft, highly textured appearance

• Excellent for adding contrast to containers and mixed plantings

• Resembles edible curly kale in overall form

Ornamental Cabbage

Ornamental Cabbage offers a completely different look. Its broad, smooth leaves stack neatly together to create dense, perfectly layered rosettes that almost resemble oversized flowers. The clean lines and symmetrical form make it especially popular in formal landscapes, commercial plantings, and porch containers where a polished, architectural appearance is desired. As cooler weather arrives, the colorful center becomes even more striking against the smooth outer foliage.

Characteristics include:

• Broad, smooth, or lightly wavy leaves

• Dense, symmetrical rosette

• Bold architectural appearance

• Similar in form to traditional garden cabbage

Which Should You Choose?

From a growing standpoint, there's very little separating the two. Both thrive in full sun to partial sun, prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil, become more colorful after cool nights, and easily tolerate repeated frosts. Neither requires more maintenance than the other, and both provide months of dependable Fall and Winter color.

If you enjoy texture and a more natural-looking display, Ornamental Kale is usually the better choice. If you prefer crisp symmetry and a clean, formal appearance, Ornamental Cabbage is hard to beat. Personally, I like using both together. The contrast between the frilly foliage of Ornamental Kale and the bold rosettes of Ornamental Cabbage creates far more visual interest than planting either one by itself.

Size and Growth Habit

Most Ornamental Kale and Cabbage varieties develop into symmetrical rosettes measuring 10 to 18 inches tall and wide, although compact selections for containers and larger landscape varieties are also available. Each plant grows from a central crown, producing densely layered leaves that gradually expand outward into a nearly perfect circular form.

Unlike sprawling annuals that spread across the garden, Ornamental Vegetables maintain a tidy, upright habit throughout the season. Their bold shape makes them excellent focal points in containers, repeating accents in landscape beds, formal borders, and mass plantings where consistency and structure are just as important as color.

Are Ornamental Vegetables Annual or Perennial?

Although Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage are technically biennials, they're almost always grown as cool-season annuals in ornamental landscapes. During their first growing season they produce the colorful foliage that makes them so popular. If left in the garden through Winter, they typically send up tall flower stalks with yellow blossoms the following Spring before completing their life cycle. For most gardeners, the colorful foliage is the main attraction, so plants are usually replaced with warm-season annuals once temperatures rise and the foliage begins to decline.

Best Ornamental Kale Varieties

Ornamental Kale varieties are celebrated for their richly textured, ruffled foliage and vibrant colors that become even more striking as temperatures cool. From compact container selections to taller landscape and cut-flower varieties, these are some of the best Ornamental Kale cultivars for adding bold texture and long-lasting Fall and Winter color.

Crane® Series

Unlike most ornamental kales, the Crane® Series grows on sturdy, upright stems that elevate the colorful rosettes above the foliage. This unique growth habit has made it one of the industry's premier cut-flower varieties, with blooms that last for weeks in fresh arrangements. It also performs beautifully in landscape beds, where its taller stature adds height and architectural interest.

Peacock Series

The Peacock Series stands out for its finely dissected, feather-like foliage that gives each plant a softer, more delicate appearance than most ornamental kales. As temperatures cool, colorful centers emerge in shades of white, rose, and purple, creating dramatic contrast against the intricately textured leaves. It's an outstanding choice for gardeners looking to add movement and texture to mixed Fall containers and seasonal displays.

Redbor

Redbor is grown almost entirely for its dramatic foliage rather than a brightly colored center. Deep burgundy to purple leaves become even richer after cool weather arrives, while the tall, upright habit creates a bold vertical accent in mixed plantings. Its striking color combines beautifully with ornamental grasses, chrysanthemums, pansies, and other cool-season favorites.

Nagoya® Series

The Nagoya® Series is one of the most widely grown and recognizable ornamental kale collections available. Large, densely ruffled rosettes develop brilliant centers in white, pink, or deep red, surrounded by rich green outer foliage that creates outstanding contrast. Its compact, uniform growth and exceptional cold tolerance make it an excellent choice for landscape beds, decorative containers, and commercial plantings where consistent performance is important.

Best Ornamental Cabbage Varieties

Before choosing a variety, it's worth remembering that Ornamental Cabbage is grown for its bold, symmetrical rosettes and vibrant foliage rather than its flowers. Modern breeding has produced dozens of outstanding cultivars that vary in size, color intensity, leaf shape, and growth habit, making it easy to find one that fits almost any landscape or container design. Whether you're creating a formal garden display, decorating a front porch, or planting large seasonal beds, these are some of the best Ornamental Cabbage varieties to consider.

Coral Queen

Coral Queen is one of the most unique ornamental brassicas available, featuring finely cut, coral-like foliage that falls somewhere between traditional ornamental kale and ornamental cabbage. The deeply divided leaves create extraordinary texture while maintaining a full, rounded habit, making it an outstanding specimen plant for premium containers, mixed borders, and gardeners looking for something a little different from the standard varieties.

Osaka® Series

The Osaka® Series has become a standard for ornamental cabbage thanks to its large, smooth, perfectly layered rosettes and brilliant centers available in white, pink, and red. The bold symmetry creates an elegant, formal appearance that looks equally at home in residential gardens, commercial landscapes, and decorative Fall containers. It also offers excellent cold tolerance and retains its beauty well into Winter.

Pigeon Series

The Pigeon Series produces some of the most perfectly symmetrical rosettes of any ornamental cabbage. Smooth, tightly layered leaves surround vivid centers that become increasingly colorful with cool weather, creating a refined appearance that's particularly attractive in formal gardens and decorative containers. Its compact habit also makes it an excellent choice for edging walkways and entryways.

Kamome Series

Kamome offers a subtle twist on the traditional ornamental cabbage by combining broad leaves with gently waved edges that provide additional texture without sacrificing its classic rounded form. The colorful centers intensify after repeated frosts, while the uniform growth habit makes it easy to create balanced, eye-catching seasonal displays.

How to Grow and Care for Ornamental Vegetables

Unlike most annual flowers, Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage are planted as temperatures begin cooling rather than warming. In most regions, late Summer through early Fall is the ideal planting window, allowing plants to establish before the coldest weather arrives. One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is planting too early, as prolonged Summer heat delays the development of the brilliant pink, purple, red, and white centers that appear once cool nights and light frosts arrive. For the best color and growth, choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, although light afternoon shade is beneficial in the warmest climates.

Plant Ornamental Vegetables in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost to encourage vigorous growth and healthy foliage throughout the season. Space compact varieties about 12 inches apart and standard varieties 15 to 18 inches apart, giving each plant enough room to develop its naturally symmetrical rosette. Set each plant at the same depth it was growing in its nursery container, gently firm the soil around the roots, and water thoroughly after planting to encourage rapid establishment.

Sunlight Requirements

Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage perform best in full sun, where they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Plenty of sunlight encourages compact growth, strong stems, and the richest foliage color as temperatures cool. In warmer regions, light afternoon shade can help reduce heat stress during early Fall while still allowing the colorful centers to develop normally. Too much shade often results in looser growth, duller coloration, and less defined rosettes.

Soil Requirements

Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage grow best in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, incorporate compost or other organic material to improve soil structure, drainage, and moisture retention while providing nutrients for healthy foliage development. Avoid areas where water remains after heavy rain, as overly saturated soil can lead to root rot and other moisture-related problems. A slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 provides the ideal growing conditions for vigorous plants and vibrant foliage.

Watering Needs

Consistent moisture is especially important during the first few weeks after planting, helping Ornamental Kale and Cabbage establish strong root systems before colder weather arrives. Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil begins to dry, soaking the root zone rather than applying frequent, shallow watering. Once established, these plants tolerate short periods of dry weather, but prolonged drought can cause lower leaves to yellow and reduce their overall appearance. Watering early in the morning and directing moisture at the base of the plant helps keep the foliage dry, while container-grown plants typically require more frequent watering than those growing in landscape beds.

Fertilizer

Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage benefit from moderate fertility to produce vigorous growth and richly colored foliage throughout the cool season. I recommend incorporating compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting, which typically provides enough nutrients for healthy growth. If needed, a light application of a balanced water-soluble fertilizer four to six weeks later can help maintain plant vigor. Avoid excessive nitrogen, as it encourages lush green growth that can delay or reduce the development of the colorful centers.

Maintenance

Ornamental Vegetables require very little maintenance once established. As the season progresses, simply remove any yellowing, damaged, or weathered lower leaves to keep the plants looking clean and improve air circulation around the base. Resist the urge to remove healthy outer leaves, as they frame the colorful center and contribute to the plant's overall appearance. One of the best things you can do is simply let cool weather work its magic—repeated chilly nights and light frosts naturally intensify the brilliant pink, white, purple, and red foliage.

Common Pests

Because they belong to the cabbage family, Ornamental Kale and Cabbage can attract many of the same insects that feed on vegetable brassicas. Cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, aphids, flea beetles, whiteflies, slugs, and snails are the most common pests, particularly early in the season before cooler weather arrives. Fortunately, insect pressure usually declines during Fall, and regular inspections allow most problems to be addressed before they become severe. Hand removal, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or encouraging beneficial insects are usually all that's needed to keep plants healthy.

Common Diseases

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage are generally dependable plants, but poor growing conditions can occasionally lead to disease. Black rot, downy mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, clubroot, and root rot are the most common problems, with most developing in overly wet soils or overcrowded plantings. Proper spacing, well-drained soil, and watering at the base of the plant rather than over the foliage greatly reduce the likelihood of disease. Removing damaged leaves as they appear also helps maintain healthy, attractive plants throughout the season.

Common Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is planting Ornamental Kale and Cabbage too early while Summer temperatures are still high. Although the plants survive the heat, their colorful centers won't fully develop until cool nights arrive, often leading people to think something is wrong. Other common mistakes include overwatering, planting in poorly drained soil, crowding plants too closely together, or applying too much nitrogen fertilizer, all of which can reduce their overall appearance. Give them sunshine, well-drained soil, and a little patience, and they'll reward you with months of spectacular Fall and Winter color.

Using Ornamental Kale & Cabbage in the Garden

One of the biggest advantages of Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage is their incredible versatility. Their bold foliage, vibrant colors, and exceptional cold tolerance allow them to thrive in everything from formal landscape beds to decorative porch containers, providing months of interest when many other plants have finished for the season. Whether you're designing a home landscape or a large commercial display, Ornamental Vegetables add color, texture, and structure that continue improving as the weather cools.

Fall Landscape Beds

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage are among the best plants for creating vibrant Fall landscape beds. Their naturally rounded rosettes provide bold blocks of color that complement evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses, chrysanthemums, asters, pansies, and violas. Planting large groups of a single variety creates a clean, uniform appearance, while mixing white, pink, purple, and red selections produces eye-catching patterns that become even more dramatic after the first frosts.

Porch Displays & Seasonal Decorating

If you're decorating for Fall, it's hard to find a better companion than Ornamental Kale and Cabbage. Their colorful rosettes pair beautifully with pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, hay bales, mums, pansies, violas, and ornamental grasses to create welcoming seasonal entrances. Because they tolerate repeated frosts and freezing temperatures, they'll continue looking fresh long after many traditional Fall decorations have begun to fade.

Containers & Mixed Planters

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage are outstanding container plants, serving as either bold focal points or textured fillers depending on the design. Their symmetrical form combines beautifully with cool-season favorites such as pansies, violas, chrysanthemums, dusty miller, sweet alyssum, ivy, creeping Jenny, heuchera, and ornamental grasses. Mixing contrasting foliage textures, colors, and plant heights creates containers that remain attractive from early Fall well into Winter.

Borders & Walkways

The naturally compact, rounded habit of Ornamental Kale and Cabbage makes them excellent choices for lining sidewalks, pathways, driveways, and garden borders. Their uniform size creates crisp, organized edges, while the colorful rosettes provide striking contrast against evergreen shrubs and cool-season flowering plants. Repeating the same variety throughout a border creates a polished, professional appearance that's easy to maintain.

Mass Plantings

Few plants create a stronger visual impact than large mass plantings of Ornamental Kale and Cabbage. Landscapers frequently use alternating colors to create geometric patterns, sweeping ribbons, and bold focal displays in parks, neighborhood entrances, commercial landscapes, and public gardens. Because the plants mature to a similar size and naturally maintain their symmetrical form, these large-scale plantings remain neat, colorful, and low-maintenance throughout the Fall and much of the Winter.

Enjoy Months of Color with Ornamental Kale & Cabbage

Ready to give your garden a stunning Fall makeover? At Garden Delivery, we offer premium Ornamental Kale and Ornamental Cabbage varieties selected for outstanding color, exceptional cold hardiness, and reliable garden performance. Whether you're designing seasonal containers, refreshing landscape beds, decorating your front porch, or creating large mass plantings, Ornamental Vegetables provide bold texture and vibrant color that continue improving as the weather cools. Plant Ornamental Kale and Cabbage this Fall and enjoy beautiful displays that remain attractive well into Winter.