The beauty of ornamental kale

If you’re sad that the peak gardening season is coming to an end, consider planting some fall showstoppers. Ornamental kale grows wonderfully in the fall and looks gorgeous too.

If you’re sad that the peak gardening season is coming to an end, consider planting some fall showstoppers. Ornamental kale grows wonderfully in the fall and looks gorgeous too.

Fall can sometimes be a bummer for gardeners as the season for fresh summer veggies and pretty flowers comes to a close. Luckily there are a few fall plants that can still make your garden look lovely for several more months. Mums and sunflowers might be the more popular fall plants of choice, but consider choosing the flowering kale.

Ornamental kales come in a variety of shades and colors. From whites to pink or a deeper purple and red, these sculptural plants put on a good show during fall. The bright inner colors make a lovely contrast with the soft green outer layers and is an easy way to add instant appeal to your outdoor space.

Here are 3 ideas for using ornamental kale:

1.Veggie Garden. If you’re growing some cool-season crops in your vegetable garden like lettuce and broccoli, but have a few open patches from old plants you took out, consider filling it in with ornamental kale. Add a cute scarecrow and a big pumpkin or two and you’ll have a conversation piece in your backyard while you wait to harvest the rest of the veggies.

2. Window boxes. Take out the dead summer flowers and add 1-3 small ornamental kale plants. Fill in the rest of the garden box with other fall favorites like mums, or add small pumpkins, squash, and pinecones for decor that will last until after Thanksgiving.

3. Pretty planters. Ornamental kale looks stunning in planters. Plant 4-6 in a square or rectangle container for a symmetric, modern look. Or plant in a larger urn to flank the front door adding an ornamental grass for height and accenting it will a pumpkin for instant fall decor.

Planting ornamental kale in your garden is a great way to give your outdoor space some fall flair and makes a nice alternative to showy flowers.