There are quite a few colorful cabbage varieties; besides the common napa cabbage, there are also 9 ornamental varieties

We often eat napa cabbage, but this article is not about the cabbage in our dinner plate of napa cabbage stewed with vermicelli, but about those colorful ornamental cabbages in gardens and horticulture.

Colorful pink cabbage

"Color-Up Pink" ornamental cabbage is centered on mint-green leaves and has an upright growth habit. The color appearance of ornamental cabbage depends on two factors: temperatures below 10°C, and a certain period of time (varying between 40 and 60 days), depending on the variety. You can expect to see the first flush of pink about 54 days after "the most colorful red-pink."

Osaka Red

In this stunning ornamental cabbage variety, an outer ring of purple leaves surrounds a vibrant magenta center. The vibrant plants are compact, reaching 20-30cm in height. The most intense coloring appears when temperatures are between 1 and 7 degrees. The purple and magenta leaves really pop against a backdrop of snow.

Condor

The plants grow to 80CM, but the heads are quite small, and they look best planted in groups of eight or more. Bright green outer leaves surround bright white leaves with just a hint of blush. "Condor" ornamental cabbage makes a sweet focal point in winter container gardens.

Pigeon Red

The green leaves on the outer leaves of "Pigeon Red" are enhanced by white veining, playing off the plant's bright pink center. Sow about six weeks before the average first frost in your area to achieve large transplants that will be ready when temperatures drop. The seeds need light to germinate, so press them into the soil but do not cover them.

Pigeon White

The creamy-white center of "Pigeon White" looks like frosting on a cake, and has the same taste appeal to some vegetable garden pests. Ornamental kale varieties such as "White Pigeon" can thrive in both spring and autumn at the same time.

Bouquet

The lush pink center and wavy foliage of "Bouquet" work well as a single specimen plant in a container, or as a mass planting in the landscape.

Tokyo Pink

Tokyo Red

Because these plants are reliably symmetrical, with compact, rounded center heads. "Tokyo Red" has blue-green leaves and a pink center, and needs only about 40 days to fully color up.

Tokyo White

The large, soft leaves of "Tokyo White" will satisfy any floral craving you feel during the winter deprivation. The rounded green leaves transition to white, with a textured and creamy blush center that looks stunning in mass plantings.

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