Overview
Crambe maritima is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Crambe, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Crambe maritima grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include architectural, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, coastal, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Belgium, Flemish Region, Walloon Region and Flanders.
About
Crambe maritima, common name sea kale, seakale or crambe, is a species of halophytic (salt-tolerant) flowering plant in the genus Crambe of the family Brassicaceae. It grows wild along the coasts of mainland Europe and the British Isles. The plant is related to the cabbage and was first cultivated as a vegetable in Britain around the turn of the 18th century. The blanched stems are eaten as a vegetable, and became popular in the mid-19th century. It is native to North America, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and other regions. Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and west-facing, south-facing and east-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Crambe maritima
About the genus
Crambe is a genus of annual and perennial flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to a variety of habitats in Europe, Turkey, southwest and central Asia and eastern Africa. They carry dense racemes of tiny white or yellow flowers on stems above the basal leaves. Crambe hispanica subsp. abyssinica, formerly known as Crambe abyssinica, is grown for the oil from the seeds that has characteristics similar to whale oil.
Wikipedia contributors, "Crambe", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Crambe
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Crambe
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Crambe maritima size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Coastal, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Belgium, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Crambe maritima
- Cultivation
- Requires well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position; benefits from blanching of shoots for edible use
- Pruning
- Remove dead or damaged leaves after flowering; cut back foliage in late autumn
- Propagation
- Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn, Division in early spring, Root cuttings in winter
- Pest resistance
- Flea beetles, Slugs, Caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- Club root
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Crambe maritima?
Requires well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position; benefits from blanching of shoots for edible use.
Where is the best place to plant Crambe maritima?
Crambe maritima prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Crambe maritima need?
Crambe maritima is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How do I prune Crambe maritima?
Remove dead or damaged leaves after flowering; cut back foliage in late autumn.
How big does Crambe maritima grow?
Crambe maritima reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Crambe maritima hardy in the UK?
Crambe maritima has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Crambe maritima?
Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn, Division in early spring, Root cuttings in winter.
More in the Crambe genus
Browse all Crambe →
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