Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale)

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

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Caterpillars , Flea beetles , Slugs

Specific diseases

Clubroot

General care

Pruning

Cut down to ground level in autumn.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed, Root cuttings

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Crambe cordifolia (Greater sea kale)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/

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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