SPIGARIELLO LISCIO SEEDS

Brassica oleracea

The sweet blue leaves of true Italian Spigariello Liscio are among the most spectacular in the garden. A single plant will produce an impressive mound of long, broad, strap-like leaves in a silvery shade of the bluest blue-green. Highly recommended as an edible ornamental. Just a few plants will provide a small family with plenty of leaves, put to great use in quiche, pasta, and spanakopita.

Culture and germination are the same as for other Brassica oleracea : sow seeds just below surface of moist soil, press gently and mist generously with warm water; kept warm (70°F) and moist in bright light, seeds will germinate within a week. Prick out and transplant to individual containers when seedlings have true leaves. Grow on in cool temperatures and bright light, keeping well-watered, and giving a weekly dose of dilute fish-based fertilizer.

Seedlings will tolerate only light frost and are best planted outdoors into well-amended garden soil no sooner than two weeks before the average last frost. Protect from freezing temperatures. Seeds may also be sown directly into warm garden soil in spring. Thin plants to at least 1’.

Some gardeners report that these plants produce sweet florets in autumn and winter. This has not happened for us, and the plants do not survive our zone 5 winters.

Italian seed.

Packet contains at least 500 seeds.

Pictured from left to right are the young leaves of Erbette, Spigariello, and Schnittmangold Gelb from Solstice Seeds.