Daubenton's variegated kale - Brassica oleracea var. Ramosa
Daubenton’s kale is a very old variety of perennial kale that gives a tasty supply of greens all year round. The variegated form looks very pretty in the garden. It differs from the green form in having more delicate leaves and is perhaps a better choice if you like your kale raw – we always pick this one for salads. It is slightly less vigorous than the green form but seems to be just as hardy.
Plants grow to about a metre tall but develop quite a horizontal habit as they get older, spreading and often rooting where branches touch the earth. They do not suffer much from pests. Mildew can sometimes be a problem in mild damp autumns, but it disappears as the winter gets colder.
Potted kale plants can be planted out anytime as long as the ground is not frozen. Kales will grow in very low temperatures (if the temperature is above 6 degrees Celsius for even a few hours a day, you will see some growth). If you are planting out in summer, it is best to plant in the evening. Try to disturb the surrounding soil as little as possible and dig a narrow hole, deep enough to cover the top of the rootball with about 5cm of soil. Place the plant in the hole and fill with water before back-filling with soil. If there is strong sunshine, provide some shade for the first few days after planting. If it is really hot and the plants are wilting even in shade, you can cut a portion of the bigger leaves away to reduce the surface area through which the plant loses water. Either remove a few big leaves completely or cut them in half).
To propagate perennial kales by cuttings, you can cut fairly large branches, trim all the leaves off except one or two of the smallest new leaves at the tip and simply push them deep into the ground. Spring and autumn are the best times for taking cuttings.