The Perennial plant Crambe Maritima also known as Sea-kale is commonly found on shingle beaches.
The large bluish-green leaves and the flowering stems which are two feet tall are topped by creamy white honey scented blooms, the structural shape of the plant, especially the leaves, has made it popular with garden designers.
I did at first find this plant a great addition to the Summer garden, however by the third season it was way past its best and not worthy of its place in the border. However, if you accept Maritima as a short lived perennial then there is no reason why it should not be used.
Sea-kale was once extensively cultivated as a vegetable,and coming into fashion once again. The young shoots are blanched under pots to reduce bitterness. They can then be picked and served like spinach.
Sea-kale dislikes acid conditions.
Hardiness – Fully Hardy
Position – Full Sun
Height – 75cm
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Crambe Cordifolia
To be perfectly honest, if you have heard anyone raving about Crambe, more than likely it was Cordifolia that caught their eye.
The first time I saw this plant I was positive that it must be a form of Gypsophila. It is in fact a hardy perennial which grows to a height of seven feet. Leaves are large, dark green and deeply cut. The billowing clouds of small white sweet perfumed flowers are truly magnificent and loved by the bees. I have to say, the leaves smell of cabbage, but hey, so what if it was good enough for Gertrude Jekyll, need I say more.
Choose the planting spot carefully as they do not take kindly to being moved. A sunny spot is essential, Crambe is very drought tolerant and is said to grow where the soil is relatively poor, however the general consensus is to plant in deep, fertile well drained soil. In Autumn cut the plant back to ground level and apply a mulch of good quality garden compost.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Position – Full sun
Flowering – June/July
Height – 200cm/7ft
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After constant nag I mean reminding from the house boss, I finally got round to replacing the rickety old fence in the clothes drying area. Finished off with Ronseal forest green
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This is the trellis fence between the round garden and the secret garden. Just gave it a coat of wood preserver natural oak. A very long tedious job.
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The garden bench is back in position after a little freshen up. This is positioned near the kichen window where I can be observed and timed, (only joking Myra!) Hmm.
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
Alistair, I do love the Crambe! Very handsome fencing and bench. I am trying to imagine all the pots overflowing with blooms. Lovely.
carolflowerhill recently posted..Birds in Review Part XXXI A Bird Parade Thrilling Thrushes
Thanks Carol, the pots usually get scattered about the garden later on placed in positions where hopefully they will look at their best.
The fence and the bench look great! Love them. As for Crambe c., it’s a wonderful plant, and I’ve been waiting for 2 or 3 years for my plant to bloom. It haven’t grown much although, and now I am wondering if its location is wrong. It has only dappled sun. I need to find its label. Maybe I made a mistake… Thanks for this post!
Tatyana recently posted..Vacation My Picture of the Day
If it doesn’t flower this Summer Tatyana I would try it in a south facing position where it gets full sun.
We have three crambe cordifolia in our garden. People always admire them. I took root cuttings from this year. I believe Derek Jarman grew a lot of crambe maritima in his garden in Dungeness in Kent
Hi Janet, I am searching for a spot in the garden for another one.
You can never have too many crambe…
I love the Crambe Cordifolia, but its the Ronseal forest green fence I covet the most! Looks fabulous!
Thanks Christine, I’ll just nip over and do some fencing work for you.
I do like Crambe, with its light airy flowers and size it gets in the summer.
Great job on your fences and bench btw! I think they’re the real highlight of your current blog post
Mark and Gaz recently posted..Morning Has Broken
Thanks guys, first time in all these years that I have ever erected a fence.
Oh, even your clothes drying area is bijou perfection! Mine is definitely still in the before, needs work stage. He has done the shade trellis over the compost bins, and planted a hedge of spekboom. Now I need to tidy up the tired perennials and strings of unwanted kikuyu.
Elephant’s Eye recently posted..Rocher Pan- birds by the sea
Diana, some of my pictures often look better than the real thing. Planting a hedge of spekboom, now that’s hard work. ‘Spekboom’ is the Afrikaans word for a succulent tree found predominantly in the Eastern Cape. (See I did my research)
But that’s why these virtual garden tours are fun for both of us – this hostess doesn’t have to say, no DON’T look that way, and your guest sees only bijou perfection. Actually, planting the spekboom was fairly easy. Being a succulent you chop it up into strategic pieces, and poke them in!
Elephant’s Eye recently posted..Rocher Pan- birds by the sea
It is fun, and we learn a lot, off to check on kikuyu this time.
Alistair – I agree with M&G, the bench and fences steal the show.
Maybe you should take a break from giving us advice about plants and share some tips on marriage …
b-a-g recently posted..Broccoli 28 MAR 2011
Too late to change now b-a-g. Marriage tips is easy, just accept that women are right most of the time.
I love both the white tiny flowers..I have a thing for them white flowers! Your fences are so wonderful looking so sturdy for years to come. I wouldnt mind sitting on that bench for hours reading or just enjoying the view of your beautiful garden and getting the delicious aroma of your wife’s cooking!
p3chandan recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Perforated!
Thank you so much, — Myra! p3 thinks you may be a good cook ha ha —- wham, bang, ouch.
Hi Alistair,
I was not familiar with Sea-Kale at all and so have learned something new. I love the garden fence between your round and secret gardens. It may have been a tedious job, but the end result looks just great.
Jennifer@threedogsinagarden recently posted..Its not always easy being a Canadian Garden Blogger
Thank you for the visit Jennifer and I hope that you are soon clear of the snow.
sorry I was away a bit from my computer these last 2 days but I am back looking in at Aberdeen first and what a pleasant visit…the fences look fab and great colors too …and that bench is gorgeous..so welcoming…I nag I mean remind my husband often as well…
Donna recently posted..My Hero- My Dad
Its a universal thing Donna, otherwise we would sit back all day with a can of beer watching old westerns on tv.
I don’t mean to be argumentative. But I realize this contradicts you somewhat. I’ve had a single Crambe maritima in my garden since 2003. It has become larger & more attractive each year. The flowers have formed increasingly larger masses. The leaves have become bigger & more numerous. I really love this plant for the foliage, which is almost blue. I have it planted at the southern edge of the vegetable garden in full sun. It balances the rhubarb nicely & makes an interesting contrast to other crucifers. Perhaps it is the dryness of Seattle summers that helps it live a longer & more robust life. By the way, I’m glad to have been of help with Primula ‘Wanda’.
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I don’t see it as argumentative Jordan, I guess the contradiction does have more to do with conditions. Your welcome comment adds so very much to my post.
Alistair I just did a search for Primula Julianna Wanda and the photos that came up look exactly like the one I have so thank you very much for the identification,
tell the ‘boss’ hmm I mean Myra that she is lucky to have some one to do all this work about the garden ;o) Frances
island threads recently posted..wordless Wednesday
Hello Frances, I like this type of Primula as it is so reliable and is fully perennial. In actual fact I had been looking for the name of it and found it on the site of a master gardener, Jordan, http://www.metropolitangardens.com/.