What: Crambe maritima, commonly called sea kale, has dramatic texture with its bold, distinctive foliage. Its thick leaves are bluish green, roundish, and ruffled along their margins, they add an eye-catching presence to the sunny garden. Sea kale is a spreading, mound-forming perennial with dozens of small white flowers that arch and drape over the plant in early summer. Native to European seashores, it is drought resistant and a natural choice for seaside gardens and well-drained, sunny banks.
Where: Plant sea kale in full sun. Combine it with grasses such as blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), or bronzeleaf sedges like Carex comans. Add some purpleleaf sedums for contrast. Sea kale is great in containers or the mixed border-wherever dramatic foliage is desired.
Size: Grows to 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide in 10 years.
Care: Drought-tolerant when established.
— Richie Steffen,
Great Plant Picks
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