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Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
2.5m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Crambe cordifolia
Other names
Greater sea kale, Flowering sea kale, Heart-leaved colewort
Genus
Crambe Crambe
Species
C. cordifolia - C. cordifolia has bold, dark green, lobed leaves, and branching sprays of small, beautifully scented white flowers.
Crambe cordifolia is: Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are scented.
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Caterpillars , Flea beetles , Slugs Caterpillars , Flea beetles , Slugs
Clubroot Clubroot
General care
Pruning
Cut down to ground level in autumn.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings
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Where to grow
Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows bestfertile, well-drained soil in full sun. It will tolerate poor soil and light shade, but needs shelter from strong winds.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Combine with something evergreen in front of this plant, as the leaves can become scruffy.
Botanical name
Crambe cordifolia
Other names
Greater sea kale, Flowering sea kale, Heart-leaved colewort
Genus
Crambe Crambe
Species
C. cordifolia - C. cordifolia has bold, dark green, lobed leaves, and branching sprays of small, beautifully scented white flowers.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
The flowers are scented.
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Caterpillars , Flea beetles , Slugs
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut down to ground level in autumn.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grows bestfertile, well-drained soil in full sun. It will tolerate poor soil and light shade, but needs shelter from strong winds.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Combine with something evergreen in front of this plant, as the leaves can become scruffy.
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
My beautiful Oxfordshire garden was revitalised with the help of Mark Griffiths. Sheltered by old walls and high fences, the garden that surrounds my North Oxford home covers about 750 square metres. read more
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There is 1 active discussion about Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale)
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