Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Red Russian'
Siberian kale 'Red Russian'
A Siberian kale cultivar producing attractive, deeply cut leaves with purple veining that are softer and sweeter than traditional kale cultivars. It can be grown as a 'cut and come again' crop for the tender young leaves that are great in salads, or left to mature
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | |||
| Autumn | Green Purple | |||
| Winter | Green Purple |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Genus
Brassicas can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped, yellow or white flowers. The genus includes a number of species bred to produce food crops, such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape, as well as others grown for their ornamental value
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors in mid-spring and prick out to modules or individual pots, transplant out in early summer between May-July in rows 60cm apart. Keep well-watered and cover with netting to protect from birds and insects. See kale cultivation
Propagation
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors in mid-Spring and prick out to modules or individual pots, transplant out in early Summer between May-July in rows 60cm apart. Keep well watered and cover with netting to protect from birds and insects. See vegetable cultivation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove yellowing leaves
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, cabbage gall weevil, slugs and snails, flea beetle, mealy cabbage aphid, swede midge
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root, brassica downy mildew, foot and root rot, leaf spot, white blister
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