Crambe maritima

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Crambe maritima thrives in full sun. It requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and flowering.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil, mimicking its natural coastal habitat. It tolerates poor soils and dry conditions but does not thrive in heavy clay or waterlogged areas.

• Moisture Needs: Once established, Sea Kale is very drought-tolerant. During its first year, regular watering is important, but overwatering should be avoided. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

• Planting Site: Choose a sunny, open site with free-draining soil. Excellent for coastal gardens, gravel beds, or xeriscapes. Also suitable for kitchen gardens or ornamental edible beds.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or early autumn. Bare-root crowns or young plants can be transplanted when soil is warm and workable.

• Spacing: Space plants 24 to 36 inches apart to accommodate their wide rosettes and encourage good air flow.

Ongoing Care, Pruning, and Maintenance

• Watering: Water moderately during dry spells in the first growing season. Established plants rarely need irrigation, even in summer.

• Feeding: Generally low-maintenance, but a light application of compost or organic fertilizer in spring can support strong early growth. Avoid heavy feeding, which encourages soft, floppy leaves.

• Mulching: Mulch in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds, especially in dry soils. Use gravel, bark, or leaf mould to maintain natural soil texture.

• Pruning and Tidying: Remove spent flower stalks and dead leaves to maintain a neat appearance. Cut back dead foliage to the crown in late autumn or early winter.

• Blanching for Edible Shoots: For edible use, early spring shoots can be blanched by covering with a bucket or forcing pot for 2–3 weeks. This produces tender, pale stems that are a traditional delicacy.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Highly resistant to pests and diseases. Occasionally susceptible to slugs and snails, especially on young leaves. Avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

• Winter Hardiness: Fully hardy in USDA Zones 4–9 (UK H5). In very cold areas, apply a mulch to protect crowns in severe winters.

Ornamental Features and Edible Value

• Foliage: Forms large, broad, crinkled blue-green leaves with a waxy coating that gives a silvery appearance. The foliage adds dramatic texture to borders or edible landscapes.

• Flowering: In late spring to early summer, it produces tall, branched sprays of small, fragrant white flowers, similar to alyssum. The blooms attract bees and other pollinators.

• Size and Growth Habit: Grows into a low, spreading clump about 24–30 inches tall and wide. The flower stalks may rise up to 3–4 feet when in bloom.

• Edible Uses: Young shoots can be harvested and steamed like asparagus. Leaves and roots are also edible when properly prepared but are less commonly used. Shoots are traditionally blanched to reduce bitterness.

• Design Uses: Excellent in coastal or seaside gardens, dry gardens, or culinary borders. Its bold, architectural form makes it a striking focal plant.

• Companion Plants: Combines well with lavender, eryngium, sedum, alliums, and other drought-tolerant or Mediterranean-style plants.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.