Hybrid

Crane Pink

Brassica oleracea

Photo: Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection.; Johnson & Stokes. · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)

Harvest

90-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

10-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Crane Pink in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Crane Pink · Zones 6–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-draining soil, slightly acidic to neutral pH

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBright pink with green

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Extend the flower production season with ornamental kale. The Crane series is consistent, uniform, and provides a range of colors. Crane Pink has bright pink centers surrounded by green outer leaves. Also known as flowering kale and ornamental cabbage. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Crane Pink is 90 - 110 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Cold Tolerant, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Crane Pink reaches harvest at 90 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The fruits dry and split when ripe.

Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.

Storage & Preservation

Crane Pink ornamental kale flowers are best stored fresh on the counter at room temperature (65-70°F) in a vase with water, lasting 7-10 days. For extended storage, refrigerate at 35-40°F with 80-90% humidity in a plastic bag, extending life to 2-3 weeks. Preservation methods: Dry flowers by hanging upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting arrangements. Press flowers between parchment paper under weight for 1-2 weeks for decorative flat specimens. Alternatively, freeze in water in ice cube trays for later use in floral arrangements, though texture will change upon thawing.

History & Origin

Crane Pink is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: W. Europe

Advantages

+Bright pink centers create striking visual interest in fall and winter gardens
+Consistent and uniform growth makes Crane Pink reliable for landscape design
+Extended harvest season provides ornamental color when other flowers fade
+Easy to grow variety suitable for beginner gardeners and mixed plantings
+Dramatic color contrast between pink centers and green leaves attracts attention

Considerations

-Susceptible to cabbage worms and other brassica pests requiring regular monitoring
-Prefers cool weather and may bolt or fade quality in warm climates
-Requires consistent moisture and well-draining soil to prevent root rot issues
-Takes 90-110 days to reach peak ornamental appearance limiting quick results

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the most practical companion here — they deter aphids and whiteflies through root secretions and scent, and at 18–24 inch spacing they don't crowd Crane Pink out. Alyssum and catmint pull similar duty by drawing in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that cut down soft-bodied pest populations before they get established. Chives planted at the border add genuine value too; their sulfur compounds push aphids off, and they stay compact enough to leave the bed to the flowers.

The three to skip are worth a quick explanation. Black walnut produces juglone, a root-zone compound that accumulates in the soil beneath the canopy and suppresses many ornamentals — give any established tree a wide berth. Eucalyptus drops allelopathic oils through its leaf litter that physically slow neighboring root development over time. Fennel is a different problem: it doesn't poison anything, it just stunts nearly every plant within a foot or two of it through root competition and chemical leaching, so it belongs in a pot or its own corner of the garden, not mixed into a flower bed.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Lavender

Deters pests like moths and beetles, attracts pollinators, complementary fragrance

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial pollinators

Alyssum

Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids and other pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, edible flowers add color

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary height and texture

Rosemary

Repels carrot flies, cabbage moths, and other pests with strong aromatic oils

Chives

Deter aphids and Japanese beetles, improve soil health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds in leaves and roots suppress growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit germination and growth of most garden plants

Troubleshooting Crane Pink

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves wilting and yellowing from the base up, stems soft or mushy at soil level, around weeks 4–6 after transplant

Likely Causes

Root rot from Pythium or Phytophthora — both thrive in waterlogged soil
Overwatering combined with poor drainage in heavy clay

What to Do

1.Pull back on watering immediately and check that the bed drains within an hour of heavy rain
2.If the crown is already soft, the plant is likely done — pull it, amend the bed with coarse perlite or compost before replanting
3.Next time, plant in raised rows or raised beds to keep roots out of standing water

Ragged holes chewed in leaves overnight, with silvery slime trails visible in the morning

Likely Causes

Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum and related species) — especially bad in cool, wet springs
Dense groundcover or mulch too close to the crown giving them daytime shelter

What to Do

1.Scatter iron phosphate bait (Sluggo or equivalent) around the base of plants at dusk — reapply after rain
2.Pull mulch 3–4 inches back from the stem so slugs don't have a hiding spot right at the plant
3.Set out a shallow dish of beer as a trap to gauge pressure; if you're catching more than 5–6 per night, increase bait density

Flower buds developing normally but petals looking bleached or scorched at the edges, especially on blooms that open in midsummer

Likely Causes

Heat stress — this hybrid blooms best below 85°F; prolonged highs above that threshold stress the flowers
Direct afternoon sun intensity on thin petals during peak summer

What to Do

1.Deadhead spent blooms immediately so the plant puts energy into new buds rather than seed set
2.If you're in a hot climate, site these where they get afternoon shade — 4–5 hours of morning sun is plenty
3.Water deeply at the base every 2–3 days during heat stretches rather than frequent shallow sprinkles

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Crane Pink flowers last in a vase?▼

Crane Pink ornamental kale flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase at room temperature with fresh water. To extend their lifespan to 2-3 weeks, refrigerate them when not displaying and change the water every 2-3 days. Keep away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight, which can accelerate wilting.

Is Crane Pink ornamental kale good for beginners?▼

Yes, Crane Pink is excellent for beginners. It's classified as 'Easy' to grow, requiring minimal care and no special expertise. It thrives in full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours), tolerates varied conditions, and produces reliable, uniform pink flowers consistently throughout the season.

Can you grow Crane Pink in containers?▼

Yes, Crane Pink ornamental kale grows well in containers. Use a pot at least 12 inches deep with quality potting soil. Place in a location receiving 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Container growing offers flexibility for moving plants to extend the season and provides earlier blooms than in-ground planting.

When should I plant Crane Pink ornamental kale?▼

Plant Crane Pink after your last frost date for spring/summer blooming, or in late summer for fall/winter color in mild climates. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting, or direct sow after frost danger passes. This hybrid variety typically reaches flowering stage in 90-110 days.

What's the difference between Crane Pink and other Crane series colors?▼

The Crane series offers multiple ornamental colors including pink, purple, white, and bicolors. Crane Pink specifically features bright pink centers with green outer leaves, making it distinctive. All Crane varieties share the same growth habits, bloom timeline, and ease of cultivation.

How much space do Crane Pink plants need?▼

Space Crane Pink plants 18-24 inches apart to allow adequate air circulation and room for full canopy development. Proper spacing prevents overcrowding, reduces disease pressure, and ensures each plant produces abundant, vibrant pink blooms throughout the growing season.