As summer gives way to fall and fall fades into the short, dark, wet and cool days of winter, we're all looking to add some brighteners to our gardens and containers. We need plants that have some brilliance, toughness, hardiness and blend well with other winter colour.
Some of the most overlooked plants are the ornamental kales and cabbages that are used so much around the world but seldom here.
Part of the challenge is heavy winter rains on some of the very full headed varieties planted out in the open. If these same varieties are placed under the eaves of our houses, they will stand up very well.
There are, however, varieties that will thrive out in the weather. Fringed varieties, like the 'Coral' and 'Peacock' series, are ideal because rather than trapping water they allow water to simply flow through.
Exposure to extreme cold wind chills, particularly out in the eastern Valley, can be another issue that may cause their demise. Kale will take a good deal of frost but when we get frost in excess of -10 C. they'll have some difficulty.
There are, however, three shining lights: the newly introduced 'Red Bor', 'Winter Bor' and 'Laciniato' kale. If they have sun, these varieties can take -25 degrees C. in their stride. 'Red Bor' is a deep ruffled purple, 'Winter Bor' is a wow ruffled green and 'Laciniato' is a green-silver showpiece.
Classy and elegant, they light up a winter garden. Curiously, they are also edible and delicious when they've had a little frost - remember, kale is a new superfood.
Today, magnificent new varieties of ornamental kales and cabbages come in all shades and colours and they really add that pop to any fall and winter display.
The secret to having them look their best is colour blocking them together in groups. Whites, pinks and purples look so good together and create a brilliant winter display. Complementary companions are winter violas, pansies and dusty miller. Evergreen grasses, such as carex, acorus and fescues, blend beautifully with ornamental kale and cabbage and make great focal points.
Flowering kale is also a great accent for evergreen ground covers and looks fabulous as underplantings for trees and winter flowering shrubs like viburnum 'Pink Dawn'. Smaller four inch pots are ideal to mix in with containers and established plantings
There's a wide selection of ornamental kale and cabbage now available in the Lower Mainland. As your garden begins to lose its colour, these ornamental and colourful brassicas will add fresh new life.
Give them a try - it's a perfect time for planting.
Brian Minter is owner of Minter Gardens.
