Taunton Deane Perennial Kale

Taunton Deane Perennial Kale

A legendary perennial brassica, grown for centuries in cottage gardens for its reliability and flavour.

This hardy kale provides abundant leafy greens through the colder months, with tender, nutrient-rich leaves that can be picked fresh from autumn right through to spring. Its large, grey-green foliage is not only productive but also ornamental, bringing structure and substance to the vegetable garden. Once established, it becomes a long-lived, near-everlasting crop, sparing you the need for annual resowing.

Taunton Deane Kale thrives in fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained soil and is best grown in full sun or light shade. It forms tall, branching stems that can reach shrub-like proportions over time, often living for many years when given space and light. Regular picking encourages fresh growth and helps maintain a bushy, productive shape.

Specifications:

• Height: 90–150cm

• Spread: 80–120cm

• Harvesting: Late autumn through to spring (and sporadically in summer)

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive but free-draining

• Maintenance: Pick leaves regularly; cut back woody stems after several years to rejuvenate plants; protect from pigeons and caterpillars

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:

Perfectly suited to the island’s mild winters, Taunton Deane kale can provide a near-constant supply of greens when other crops have failed. Shelter from strong sea winds will help the tall stems remain upright in coastal gardens.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range:

• Allium ‘Millennium’ – its pest-deterring properties help protect brassicas

• Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ – softening the edges of veg beds with pollinator appeal

• Cephalaria gigantea – tall, airy flowers to complement kale’s bold form

🌟 The Green Standard Tip

Layer compost or seaweed mulch around the base each spring to keep plants vigorous and productive for many years.