Crambe cordifolia
greater sea kale
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: deep, fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
- Flowering period: June to July
- Garden care: Cut back the plant to ground level in autumn and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant in spring.
Billowing clouds of tiny, white flowers float above huge rosettes of deeply cut dark green leaves in June and July. A favourite plant of Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, this perennial looks magnificent at the back of a sunny border or as part of a cottage garden scheme. The tiny flowers, attractive to bees, are a perfect foil for large-flowered plants. The leaves smell strongly of cabbage and the plant needs space to spread out.
- Eventual Height: 2.5m
- Eventual Spread: 1.5m