Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Nero di Toscana'

RHS Plant Profile

borecole 'Nero di Toscana'

Other common names

curly kale 'Nero di Toscana'

Synonyms

Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Toscana'
Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Cavolo Nero'
Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) 'Black Tuscany'

Annual Biennial

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A robust and easy to grow variety of kale with dark green to black wrinkly leaves which provide architectural interest in the vegetable patch or even flower borders. A strong but pleasant flavour with pickings available through to March/April if sown early enough in the spring. Flowers can be left as an early source of nectar for bees

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, 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

Prefers well drained, loamy, alkaline soil. Water regularly in dry periods and add plenty of organic matter before planting. Harvest once they reach the size you want and formed a firm head. See kale cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Architectural
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, aphids, flea beetles and slugs and snails

Diseases

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