Crambe
( KRAM - bee )
|
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of perennial plants need full sun to light shade and regular water. They are relatives of Cabbage, and produce blue-green smooth leaves and loose clusters of small, white flowers in summer that smell like honey followed by green seed pods. Leaves will turn yellow and die after bloom period ends. Bees and butterflies will be drawn into the garden by the scent of the blooms. Grow these plants in mixed beds and borders, or simply as specimens in the landscape that are sure to start some conversations.
|
Crambe Species and Varietals
The genus Crambe includes is a member of the plant family Brassicaceae, making it a relative of Cabbage, Kale, and Broccoli. Crambe grows best in zones A2, A3, 2-9 and 14-17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
|
Crambe cordifolia (Greater Sea Kale, Colewort, Heartleaf Crambe) Hailing from the Caucasus, this plant will form a 2-3 foot tall mound of leaves from which intricately-branched flower stems sprout. When it is in bloom, the plant can reach 6 feet high and 4-6 feet wide. This is an ornamental plant, and is not meant to be eaten. |
|
|
Crambe maritima (Sea Kale, Seakale, Crambe) This edible species hails from the coasts of Northern Europe and has naturalized itself on the Oregon coastline. It gets to 2 feet tall and wide, and has bluish-green leaves. In late winter or spring, leaves are covered to prevent them receiving sunlight, and are then harvested like asparagus. These plants can be easily grown from seed. |
Caring for Crambe
Plant Crambe in a spot in the garden that receives full sun. These plants have chubby roots, and are not suited well to container growing. Plant in early spring or fall for best results. Ensure that soil is well-draining and moderately fertile, with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. These plants will not do well if soil is waterlogged, overly clayey, or wet. After planting Madagascar Periwinkle, mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, they are considered to be somewhat drought-tolerant, but do appreciate relatively regular waterings during growth and blooming periods in spring and summertime.
Pruning these plants is relatively straightforward; simply remove any yellowing, damaged, or diseased foliage to clean up the look of the plant, and take off flowering stems down to their base after flowers have faded. Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This one feeding will be sufficient to carry the plants through their active growing and blooming seasons.
Pruning these plants is relatively straightforward; simply remove any yellowing, damaged, or diseased foliage to clean up the look of the plant, and take off flowering stems down to their base after flowers have faded. Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This one feeding will be sufficient to carry the plants through their active growing and blooming seasons.
Propagation
Crambe can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Sea Kale, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Crambe by Seed
Propagating Crambe by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Crambe by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded and are typically light in color when mature and ready to be harvested. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Crambe by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Crambe seeds are round and appear along flowering stems after blooms have faded. They emerge green, and mature to light tan.
|
Crambe seeds are relatively round and light in color.
|
Problems and Pests
Crambe are typically resilient plants, though they can have issues with the following in the landscape:
- Slugs and Snails
- Aphids
- Cabbage Worms
- Flea Beetles
- Grasshopper
- Clubroot
Gallery
Crambe has a great way of filling in height above low-growing companion plants.
|
These plants have beautiful grey-green foliage.
|
Even out of bloom, Crambe provides some much needed interest to this bed.
|
Here, Crambe is planted in a border alongside Roses, Lavender, and various evergreens.
|
Saponaria is interplanted with Crambe in this two-tone bed.
|
Crambe flower shows are unmatched.
|
Videos
|
All you need to know about growing Crambe.
|
Check out Sea Kale, a great permaculture garden plant.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 268, Crambe
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
