Nyack Backyard

biodiverseed:

PERENNIAL TREE COLLARDS
The Kale that Just Won't Quit

These rather mysterious brassicas (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) are believed to have originated in Africa, and made their way into North American gardens through careful preservation by the African American community. Growing between 2 and 4 metres tall, and having a beautiful purpleish hue, they are a very desirable and nutritious perennial vegetable.

They do not come true from seed, however, so Tree Collards must be propagated by cuttings. They can be harvested year-round, and are said to get better after periods of cold. Apparently, they taste like a sweeter version of kale.

There are a few sellers in the United States: Bountiful Gardens, an eBay seller, and a few scattered nurseries. I’ve been trying to find them here in Denmark to no avail (if you know have a cutting or know of a seller in Europe, let me know!). The closest I have been able to find is Ewiger Kohl (Perpetual Cabbage) from a German nursery, but that variety is low-growing, and native to Belgium.

Photo 1: Inhabitat
Photo 2: Caritas Seeds
Photo 3: Tree Collards
Photo 4: Weird Vegetables

#perennial vegetables #tree collards #edible landscaping

Hope to find some!

(via mamisgarden)

  1. the-cutest-dumpster-fire reblogged this from watchale
  2. sym-biosis reblogged this from burrowsofmykeep
  3. spookysephone reblogged this from plantpest
  4. firelight-memories reblogged this from plantpest
  5. asterisk-plants reblogged this from plantpest
  6. atalantapendrag reblogged this from mugwomps
  7. teaganaliss reblogged this from lonelymountainson
  8. mugwomps reblogged this from lonelymountainson
  9. lonelymountainson reblogged this from queerpyracy
  10. bespectacledbookworm reblogged this from queerpyracy