Crambe maritima

Also Known As

Sea Kale

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 2'-3'
W: 1'-3'

planting zones

5a-9b

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Crambe maritima plant details

Crambe maritima is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with blue foliage. In spring white flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular water. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Crambe maritima

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: brassicaceae
Foliage: deciduous blue
Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring
Uses: cutting garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Crambe maritima

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular

Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Cultivated as a vegetable before the 16th century, the large blue-green cabbage-like leaves and carrot-like flower, on a 3' stem, make this an effective perennial as well, especially near the sea where it tolerates sand and salt. S/M

By: Forestfarm

The sea kale has large, ruffled, edible, cabbage-like, silver-blue leaves with undulating edges that provides great texture to the garden. In early summer Crambe maritima will start producing branched panicles of white flowers. The foliage is also edible and, we've been told, delicious sauteed in butter. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

We have this eye catching perennial near our parking area, where it thrives in hot sun in a well drained soil. Grown especially for its powder blue large cabbage like foliage, it does look quite pretty in bloom in June, with clouds of small white flowers. The young shoots harvested in early spring are a eaten as a tasty vegetable in Northern Europe.. Foliage grows 15-18" tall, with flowering stems reaching 2'. Spread is about 2'.

By: Avant Gardens

Sea kale is a halophytic perennial plant in the genus Crambe that grows wild along the coasts of Europe, from the North Atlantic to the Black Sea. It has large fleshy glaucous collard-like leaves and abundant white flowers. The shoots are served like Asparagus: steamed, with either a Bechamel sauce or melted butter, salt and pepper. ZONE 5