A monstrous cousin of the more commonly seen Sea Kale, the Giant Sea Kale (Crambe cordifolia) is valued as both a bold and bodacious ornamental as well as a very useful perennial vegetable. Just like Sea Kale, the Giant Sea Kale can be harvested for its young leaves, flower buds in the “broccoli” stage as well as flowers and roots. Grows as a large perennial mound 1.5′ to 2′ tall with flower stalks that can reach up to 4 feet tall or more. A very fun and exciting perennial vegetable to add to the garden.

Latin Name: Crambe cordifolia
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -25° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland except the occasional aphids and slugs
USDA Zone: 5

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Native to many a northern coastline on the Pacific and Atlantic, this uniquely briny plant delivers the oceanic taste of oysters, anchovies and mushrooms in its fleshy blue-green leaves. A small bite of the leaf and you’ll think you’ve just slurped down a fresh oyster from the Puget Sound.  It’s quickly becoming a favorite with chefs and works well in many dishes to add a seafood flare without having to break out the shucking knife. With a similar leaf color to Sea Kale, you could make a fantastic oceanic perennial veggie garden with these! Maybe plant a thicket of Sea Berry behind it all and call it a plant life aquatic?

Finally, a vegan alternative to the briny bivalves for our vegan friend Colin! He says, “what’s a bivalve?”

Latin Name: Mertensia maritima
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -40° F.
Size at Maturity: 6″ in height by 2-3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: Slugs love the leaves as much as we do. Strange as they taste so sea-salty and salt kills slugs. Plant in a container or mulch with something slugs don’t like.
USDA Zone: 3

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Despite its name, Sea Kale does not need a nearby ocean to thrive.  This perennial vegetable has edible roots, shoots like asparagus, leaves like kale, cabbage, or spinach, and flower heads like broccoli. It’s quickly becoming a cult classic in permaculture gardens everywhere.

Latin Name: Crambe maritima
Site and Soil: Full to part sun and well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -35° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 3′ feet wide
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland except the occasional aphids
USDA Zone: 4

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