Asturian Tree Cabbage

Asturian Tree Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Asturian Tree’)

1 Healthy plant packed in plastic-free packing. A plant that provides food 365 days a year. 9cm pot.

Perennial | 1.2m (4ft) | Full sun to partial shade | Cooking greens & edible flower stems

A towering presence in the vegetable patch, the Asturian Tree Cabbage is a kale-like brassica with broad, blue-green leaves that fan out from a thick, sturdy stem. Grown for centuries in northern Spain, it thrives in cool, damp climates, making it an ideal choice for year-round harvests in the UK. Unlike conventional cabbages, it does not form a heart but instead produces an abundance of large, tender leaves, perfect for steaming, braising, or stuffing.

Its flavour is sweet and mild, lacking the bitterness of many brassicas, and it only improves with a touch of frost. In the kitchen, it shines in traditional caldo gallego, wraps beautifully around grains and spiced meats, and makes for an excellent alternative to spinach or chard in any dish. The flower stems provide a vital delicious crop during the hungry gap. Even the stem can be used, sliced thinly and stir-fried to retain a satisfying crunch.

As a permaculture plant, it is invaluable. It provides continuous leafy greens through the seasons, shelters beneficial insects, and offers an endless supply of organic matter for composting. If left to flower, it produces clouds of tiny yellow blossoms, a feast for pollinators and a sweet treat or garnish in the kitchen too. Remove the flowers to keep the plant perennial. A crop with history, resilience, and beauty, just the thing for a self-sufficient kitchen garden. We have also never had slug damage with this crop!