Crambe maritima – Sea Kale –

Description

Crambe – There are about 20 species of imposing, often woody based annuals and perennials, in this genus. They occur from rocky mountain sloped, coastal sand dunes, and open grassland, in Central Europe, Turkey, Central Asia and tropical Africa. They have large, simple to pinnatisect basal leaves and erect, often thick stems, which are usually leafless or bear smaller leaves. It bears numerous, 4 petalled, tiny, scented cross shaped, white or pale flowers, held in large racemes or panicles. Crambe species are grown for their handsome foliage and elegant inflorescences, which are attractive to bees. The enormous span of their leaves require siting in a large herbaceous border. They also thrive in wild or woodland gardens, and in coastal sites. Grow in deep, fertile, well drained soil in full sun, although they will tolerate poor soils and partial shade. Provide shelter from strong winds. Divide in early spring. Prone to clubroot, and black rot. C. maritima – Sea Kale – This robust, spreading, mound forming, perennial from Coastal Northern and Western Europe grows 30″ tall and 24″ wide. It produces ovate, irregularly shallowly lobed to pinnatifid, twisted, glaucous, blue-green purplish, cabbage like leaves, to 12″ long. In early summer it bears white flowers in dense, erect panicles, to 24″ across. Leafy shoots are used as a green vegetable, often blanched to lessen the bitterness. Zones 5-9