Botanical name
Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) Northern Lights Fringed Mix
Other names
Ornamental kale Northern Lights Fringed Mix, Ornamental cabbage Northern Lights Fringed Mix, Flowering kale Northern Lights Fringed Mix, Flowering cabbage Northern Lights Fringed Mix, Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) Northern Lights Fringed Mixed
Genus
Variety or Cultivar
Northern Lights Fringed Mix _ Northern Lights Fringed Mix is an evergreen, short-lived perennial, often grown as an ornamental annual, with an open rosette of rounded, frilled leaves, cream, purple-pink, or reddish-purple inner leaves surrounded by grey- or blue-green outer leaves.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
COLOUR
Foliage
Grey-green, Cream, Blue-green, Reddish-purple, Purple-pink in All seasons
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Cabbage caterpillars , Cabbage gall weevil , Cabbage stem flea beetle , Cabbage whitefly , Chafer grubs in lawns , Cutworms , Diamond-back moth , Flea beetles , Mealy cabbage aphid , Slugs , Snails , Swede midge
Specific diseases
Black rot , Downy mildew , Foot and root rot , Grey mould , Leaf spot , White blister
General care
Propagation
Direct sow 3-4 months before full-sized plants are needed and at least 6-10 weeks before first frost in expected. Seeds should germinate in 1-2 weeks. Thin about 45 cm apart when seedlings are 6-8cm tall.
Propagation methods
Seed
WHERE TO GROW
Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) Northern Lights Fringed Mix (Ornamental kale Northern Lights Fringed Mix) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Tolerates partial shade. Protect from strong afternoon sun in hot areas. Add lime to acid soil prior to planting. Water regularly. Leaf colour is best in cool temperatures, particularly in autumn. Plants will bolt to seed in hot weather. Susceptible to powdery mildew in prolonged wet weather.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered