Sea Kale ‘Lily White’ (Crambe maritima)

1 plant in a 9cm pot, sent in plastic-free packaging. A popular heritage variety prized for its tender edible shoots, low maintenance and ability to thrive in very poor, well-drained soils and coastal conditions.

Perennial Vegetable | 60cm tall x 60cm spread | Full sun | Extremely hardy & salt-tolerant | Prized for forced spring shoots

Sea Kale is a striking, low-maintenance perennial that doubles as both a highly ornamental garden feature and a gourmet vegetable. ‘Lily White’ is a heritage cultivar specifically selected for producing the finest, most tender edible shoots. Native to the shingle beaches of the European coast, this plant features large, blue-green (glaucous) leaves that look absolutely beautiful in a border or kitchen garden. In early summer, it produces clouds of small, sweet-scented white flowers that are a magnet for bees and other pollinators.

Sea Kale was a true delicacy, often grown in grand kitchen gardens. While the mature leaves and flowers are edible, the real prize is the blanched spring shoots. We do this by covering the dormant crown with a forcing pot or bucket in late winter to block out the light; the plant produces pale, tender, pink-tipped stems in the spring. These blanched shoots are crisp, sweet, and taste like a cross between asparagus and celery, with a slight nutty flavour.  They are typically steamed or sautéed gently in butter. Just remember, once you have harvested your blanched shoots, leave the plant uncovered to grow on.

Sea kale thrives in poor, very well-drained soil; its long tap root mines nutrients and water from deep within the soil. It does not do well in heavy or poor-draining soil as this can cause the crown to rot over winter. It likes full sun, once planted it does not tolerate being moved as its large taproot is fragile.

Delivery Information

All plants are carefully packed and sent in plastic-free packaging to protect both the plant and the environment. Plants are dispatched promptly so they arrive fresh, healthy, and ready to plant.

We ship orders using a tracked 24-hour delivery service, helping to minimise time in transit and reduce stress on the plant. Orders are packed by hand at the nursery, and we aim to dispatch early in the week to avoid delays over weekends.

If you have any questions about delivery timing or combining orders, please get in touch before ordering and we will be happy to help.

To find out more about other plants for your garden visit – https://dyfiplants.substack.com