Sea Kale
Crambe maritima
- Native to:
- Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Krym, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Transcaucasus, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Siim (et.wikipedia.org) at et.wikipedia (et.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Crambe
- Species:
- Crambe maritima
- USDA Symbol:
- CRMA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 75 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal areas, tolerates salt spray
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification; fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C.