Brassica oleracea
Origin: Oregon
Improvement status: Breeding population
Seeds per packet: ~110
Germination tested 11/2023: 90%
Life cycle: Biennial
EFN EXCLUSIVE. The original 'Dazzling Blue' is a fantastic kale bred by Hank Keogh of Avoca Seed Farm in Oregon, who worked as a farmer for years with Frank Morton of Wild Garden Seeds and used some of Frank's work as the basis for continued breeding. 'Dazzling Blue' has taken the seed and culinary worlds by storm, increasingly showing up at markets around the country due to its striking appearance and wonderful flavor.
This remarkable mix includes all of Hank Keogh's four different 'Dazzling' kale populations combined together, which Hank is calling the 'Dazzling Symphony'! This mix brings together 'Dazzling Blue' itself, along with Dazzling Blue's fun cousins cousins: 'Dazzling Texture', 'Dazzling Base Note', and 'Dazzling Contralto', all selected by Hank from "off-types" within the Dazzling Blue population.
'Dazzling Texture' Kale: Dazzling Blue's most eccentric cousin, Dazzling Texture's tone color has been selected for diversity in shape and type, with a mix of colors and rumpled crunchy frills.
'Dazzling Base Note' Kale: With deep reds and purples, this Dazzling cousin adds depth to any salad. The wide leaf and wide midrib are still vibrant pink, as usual.
'Dazzling Contralto' Kale: This lighter cousin of 'Dazzling Blue' has a true green leaf with no blush, resulting in higher contrast. Expect a range of leaf shapes around a theme of true green, adding loft to any salad.
If you want more diversity in your life and on your plate, then this mix is for you! Who knows, you might even select the next big kale from this population. We can't wait to see the beautiful music you make with this symphony of deliciousness. And we hope you harvest it "andante con anima"!
Bravo Hank! Thanks for sharing it with us.
NOTE: Each of these 'Dazzling' kales are also available for sale individually.
