Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Winterbor'

RHS Plant Profile
borecole 'Winterbor'

Other common names

curly kale 'Winterbor'

Award of Garden Merit
Annual Biennial

A vigorous hardy annual vegetable growing to 1m tall with well-curled, blue-green, ruffled leaves. It produces excellent yields and has a good standing ability and cold hardiness through Winter and Spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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, non-acid soil in full sun. Sow seeds direct between mid-May-July or sow indoors in March-April and transplant out in May-June. See vegetable cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove yellowing leaves

Pests

May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillar, cabbage whitefly, cabbage gall weevil, slugs and snails, flea beetle, mealy cabbage aphid, swede midge

Diseases

May be susceptible to black rot, club root, downy mildew, foot and root rot, leaf spot, white blister