Posted 12:49 am Thursday, January 26, 2012
Colorful Peacock Kale Pretty As Flower
By DEE BISHOP
Smith County Master Gardener
Color in winter is unexpected, but so rewarding. Color in winter that is edible and beautiful is priceless in the garden.
This Peacock Kale is just as pretty as any flower. Did you know kale is one of the most healthy of all vegetables? We usually eat the common green kale, but this ornamental kale is definitely edible too and so beautiful in salads or as garnishes on a plate.
With its frilly lacy leaves, peacock kale dresses up a winter garden, a color bowl, or a salad plate in style. What more could you ask?
Smith County Master Gardener
Color in winter is unexpected, but so rewarding. Color in winter that is edible and beautiful is priceless in the garden.
This Peacock Kale is just as pretty as any flower. Did you know kale is one of the most healthy of all vegetables? We usually eat the common green kale, but this ornamental kale is definitely edible too and so beautiful in salads or as garnishes on a plate.
With its frilly lacy leaves, peacock kale dresses up a winter garden, a color bowl, or a salad plate in style. What more could you ask?
There are several ornamental kales, all lovely, all healthy, all easy to grow. These kales run from pink, to purple, to white. Try some white ones in with bright dianthus. Growing together, they become a large bouquet of frilly pinks, reds, and whites -- stunning!
The cool blue-pink kales look lovely back lighting blue pansies or white alyssum. Plain curly green kale, with its blue-green leaves makes a lovely back drop for yellow calendula or pink snapdragons.
think a bed done totally in silver-gray dusty miller and pink kale would be a knock-out.
I love my kales and when I want to make a stunning salad, I toss in a few of the frilly leaves and watch my guests oooh and aaah over it.
You will find peacock kale throughout the IDEA, Heritage, and Sunshine gardens. We have always used veggies in our gardens in winter to add variety and unexpected color in winter. Kale is super hardy. It never freezes and remains lovely until we plant the gardens for summer. All kales need is a place in the sun and reasonably fertile soil. Usually you won’t have to water In winter unless we have a really long dry spell. Consider planting some of these lovely plants in your garden or pots next fall. You will be glad you did.
Dee Bishop is a Smith County Master Gardener and writes about things growing within Tyler Municipal Rose Garden.
The cool blue-pink kales look lovely back lighting blue pansies or white alyssum. Plain curly green kale, with its blue-green leaves makes a lovely back drop for yellow calendula or pink snapdragons.
think a bed done totally in silver-gray dusty miller and pink kale would be a knock-out.
I love my kales and when I want to make a stunning salad, I toss in a few of the frilly leaves and watch my guests oooh and aaah over it.
You will find peacock kale throughout the IDEA, Heritage, and Sunshine gardens. We have always used veggies in our gardens in winter to add variety and unexpected color in winter. Kale is super hardy. It never freezes and remains lovely until we plant the gardens for summer. All kales need is a place in the sun and reasonably fertile soil. Usually you won’t have to water In winter unless we have a really long dry spell. Consider planting some of these lovely plants in your garden or pots next fall. You will be glad you did.
Dee Bishop is a Smith County Master Gardener and writes about things growing within Tyler Municipal Rose Garden.
