A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Ornamental Cabbage

I have two ornamental cabbage plants in small pots. They were beautiful all winter but are now bolting and getting very pointy on top instead of the low round rosettes that were so pretty. I know it's because I live in southern california and it's getting too hot for them, but are they useless now? or if I put them in the ground will they grow more? Does anyone know the on-going care for these plants? Can they be cut back, or down, or whatever? I hate to toss them if they still have use, but I can't really find anything about them. Thanks if anyone knows.

Welcome, J'Lyn. I am also in SoCal. The ornamental cabbage are mostly just grown as annuals and tossed out at the end of the season. You could try cutting back the growing tip and try to make them last a little bit longer. But with the temps we are getting I wouldn't put much faith in them staying pretty for long.
Just plan on growing more next winter for a lovely show when everyone else is knee deep in snow!

Thanks, Tina. I was afraid that was the answer, but I hate to throw away something if it's still useful. Oh, well, useful in the compost heap.

Yes, it is sad. I am sorry. But think how lucky we are to have access to such lovely plants in winter!

Ornamental cabbage and kale look beautiful in the front of a border or mixed together .