Crambe cordifolia

Crambe cordifolia (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Brassicaceae

Crambe cordifolia is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump form habit. Its dark green leaves are cordate with wavy entire margins, up to 30cm long and 20cm broad. Its white flowers are up to 15mm across and appear en mass above its leaves. Its roots are deep which enable this plant to resist drought.

Crambe cordifolia, commonly known as Greater Sea Kale, Heartleaf Crambe or Flowering Sea Kale, is native to the Caucasus region.

Crambe cordifolia Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Crambe is derived from the ancient Greek Krambh, the name given for a cabbage like plant. Cordifolia is derived from the Latin, meaning ‘heart-shaped leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Crambe cordifolia useful as a large herbaceous perennial, possibly as part of a cottage style planting scheme. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Crambe cordifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Crambe cordifolia Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Crambe cordifolia their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Crambe cordifolia prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Crambe cordifolia requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance the plant may be cut back to ground level in autumn.