The sea kale is in full flower beside its cabbage relatives on the Systematic Beds.
A British native, sea kale (Crambe maritima) is a robust perennial which endures tough conditions. It grows on shingle beaches, sand dunes and sea cliffs along the coastline of the British Islesis usually found growing in the British Isles, but also occurs from western Europe to the Caucasus. It is a long-lived, salt-tolerant (halophytic) species producing glaucous, fleshy leaves. Stout, woody, edible stems can reach 75cm in height and bear large racemes of small, white, honey-scented, cruciform flowers. C. maritima enjoys an open, sunny site and well-drained soil, and is a good choice for a dry or gravel garden. The genus Crambe belongs to the Brassicaceae (cabbage family), and comprises approximately 20 species of annuals and perennials from Europe and North Africa.