When most plants begin to fade in fall, ornamental kale and cabbage come alive with bold textures and colors that thrive in cool weather. These vibrant rosettes of ruffled or smooth-edged foliage bring life to autumn and winter gardens when few other plants do. Unlike their edible cousins, these varieties are bred for beauty showcasing pinks, purples, creams, and greens in eye-catching displays. Here are 10 colorful ornamental kale and cabbage varieties that will elevate your cool-season garden with texture and flair.
1. ‘Peacock Red’ Ornamental Kale
Feathery elegance in ruby tones.
‘Peacock Red’ stands out with its finely dissected, feather-like leaves that radiate from a bright magenta-pink center. The lacy foliage gives it a delicate, artistic appearance, making it ideal for borders, containers, or mixed plantings. This variety tolerates frost well and continues to intensify in color as temperatures drop. The contrast between its deep green outer leaves and electric pink center adds vibrant visual interest even in the darkest months of the year.
2. ‘Chidori White’ Ornamental Cabbage
Creamy beauty with a classic cabbage form.
With its tightly packed, round rosette shape, ‘Chidori White’ resembles a decorative cabbage flower. Its creamy white center gradually blends into pale green outer leaves, offering a soft and elegant look perfect for formal garden designs. Cooler weather brings out its brightest hues, making it a star in fall and winter displays. Compact and easy to maintain, it’s a favorite for container arrangements and seasonal bedding.
3. ‘Nagoya Rose’ Ornamental Kale
Bold, ruffled, and bursting with color.
‘Nagoya Rose’ features densely packed, ruffled leaves with bright pink to rosy magenta centers surrounded by deep green outer layers. This variety is especially prized for its robust texture and full-bodied shape, which adds volume and color to cold-weather gardens. As a compact plant, it’s perfect for front borders, planters, or even as a festive table centerpiece. Its rich color deepens with cold, making it a standout in frosty landscapes.
4. ‘Glamour Red’ Ornamental Kale
Glossy and show-stopping.
Unlike most ornamental kale, ‘Glamour Red’ has a unique glossy finish to its leaves, which makes the plant appear almost lacquered. Its intensely fuchsia center contrasts with dark green ruffled edges, creating a high-drama effect. It was even an All-America Selections winner for its beauty and performance. ‘Glamour Red’ is a low-maintenance option that thrives in containers and garden beds, especially where high impact and visual sparkle are desired during colder months.
5. ‘Color Up White’ Ornamental Cabbage
Bright and serene, perfect for winter whites.
This refined variety features a radiant white center surrounded by layers of pale green to cream outer leaves. ‘Color Up White’ offers a more subtle, sophisticated aesthetic compared to brighter varieties. Its classic cabbage shape makes it a natural fit for both traditional and modern landscape designs. Planted en masse, it creates a snowy illusion in the garden even before the first flakes fall.
6. ‘Kamome Red’ Ornamental Kale
Compact, colorful, and weather-tough.
‘Kamome Red’ is a compact variety known for its highly fringed leaves and rich purple-pink center. Its tight rosette form and small stature make it ideal for window boxes and small pots. The more the temperature drops, the deeper its colors become. This kale handles frost and cold winds with ease, making it a favorite among landscapers for dependable winter curb appeal.
7. ‘Osaka Pink’ Ornamental Cabbage
Soft charm with a painterly touch.
‘Osaka Pink’ features large, smooth leaves in a tightly layered head that showcases pastel pinks fading into soft green. The blend of color and smooth texture gives it an almost watercolor-like appearance. Slightly larger than other varieties, it’s great for larger container displays or as a focal point in seasonal beds. It pairs beautifully with mums, pansies, and dusty miller for a stunning fall tableau.
8. ‘White Crane’ Hybrid Kale
Elegant and vertical a unique form.
Unlike the rosette shapes of most ornamental kales, ‘White Crane’ grows tall and upright, resembling a flower stalk more than a head of cabbage. Its creamy white center is surrounded by long, smooth-edged leaves that stand vertically, giving it a dramatic sculptural look. This variety is excellent for cut flower arrangements or vertical accents in containers. It adds structure and grace to gardens long after other plants have faded.
9. ‘Redbor’ Kale (Brassica oleracea)
Dark drama meets winter resilience.
While technically edible, ‘Redbor’ is often used ornamentally due to its deep, almost black-purple curly leaves. Its height and rich color make it a striking vertical element in flower beds and containers. This variety is incredibly cold-hardy and only gets more vivid with frost. It’s perfect for adding contrast to lighter-colored cabbages or silvery foliage like lamb’s ear or dusty miller in seasonal displays.
10. ‘Pigeon Purple’ Ornamental Cabbage
Soft lavender tones in a compact form.
‘Pigeon Purple’ is a compact, rounded cabbage variety with lavender-purple centers surrounded by green or bluish outer leaves. It holds its color beautifully in cold temperatures and maintains a neat, uniform shape throughout the season. Its size and symmetry make it ideal for symmetrical container designs, edging, or mass plantings. It blends well with both bright and neutral palettes for flexible design use.
Leave A Comment