Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America

Kale, Lists 1-26 Combined

Edited by Mark W. Farnham

Blue Armor - Breeder and vendor: Abbott and Cobb. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: vigorous Scotch-type kale, deep blue-green, very curled and fringed leaves, very uniform and high-yielding; wide petiole spacing makes for easy harvest. Adaptation: wide; suitable for spring or fall plantings; may also be grown for a winter crop in southern states. 1990.

Blue Knight - Breeder and vendor: Abbott and Cobb. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: vigorous Scotch-type kale, deep blue-green, firm curly leaves that hold up well when cut, very uniform and high-yielding cultivar. Adaptation: wide; suitable for spring or fall plantings; very slow to bolt, making it useful for a winter crop in southern states. 1990.

Blue Ridge - Breeder and vendor: Sakata. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: semi-tall plant type, midseason maturity and long yield, dark, blue-green leaves with attractive, full curl; slow to bolt or stretch and is suitable for stripping or cutting for fresh market. Adaptation: wide. 1998.

Premier - Breeder: Virginia Agric. Exp. Sta. Characteristics: Siberian kale; developed as open pollinated selection out of Dwarf Siberian, appearance is rape kale type, possibly B. napus, smooth, serrated leaves, deep green to blue-green color, long standing kale, slow to bolt in the spring following fall planting. 1983.

Squire - Breeder: Virginia Agric. Exp. Sta. Characteristics: developed as open pollinated selection out of Vates kale, short stemmed, Scotch type kale, similar in appearance to Vates although population is more uniform, very long standing, least likely cultivar to bolt after overwintering. 1990.

Vates (Vates Dwarf, Blue curled Scotch, Dwarf Scotch) - Breeder: Virginia Agric. Exp. Sta. Characteristics: hardy, 1-2' tall dwarf Scotch type kale, produces blue-green, finely curled leaves that may spread out 2'. 1950.