Curly-Leaf Sea Kale
Crambe maritima
Curly-Leaf Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 24–30 in tall and 24–36 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Bold blue-green ruffled foliage and clouds of white honey-scented flowers.
Plant Select®low to medium water24–30 in tall and 24–36 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: Charlesdrakew, Wikimedia Commons (PD)
- Photo 2: Jon Mortin, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
- Photo 3: Nevlyutov Marat, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 24–30 in tall and 24–36 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~25–36 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Curly-Leaf Sea Kale good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Curly-Leaf Sea Kale is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Curly-Leaf Sea Kale get?
- It matures to about 24–30 in tall and 24–36 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Curly-Leaf Sea Kale?
- Space Curly-Leaf Sea Kale about 25 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 36 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Curly-Leaf Sea Kale hardy on the Front Range?
- Curly-Leaf Sea Kale is hardy in USDA 5–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Curly-Leaf Sea Kale need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Curly-Leaf Sea Kale native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Curly-Leaf Sea Kale deer-resistant?
- Curly-Leaf Sea Kale is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- How long does Curly-Leaf Sea Kale bloom?
- Curly-Leaf Sea Kale blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
