Never Mind Roses…I’ll Have a Cabbage
Maybe, as usual, I’m just the last to find out about these things, but have you ever in your life laid eyes on an ornamental cabbage?I stumbled upon some the other day at a garden center & couldn’t take my eyes off of them, so I had to bring one home.The people at the garden center who actually do know a lot about plants told me these are typically planted in the fall & winter to add color to the landscape, but all I could picture was a table-full for a gorgeous fall dinner party.I asked them about keeping them indoors & they had never heard of anyone doing that, but I decided to give it a try anyway, so I brought one home.
Since I didn’t really want the potting soil & the possible bugs on the table, I decided to treat it like a flower & put it in water.So I wrestled it out of the pot, rinsed off the roots, cut it to the right length, & put it in a vase.
It looks like a humongous purple rose & I love it.
I was warned by the experts that it may start to smell more like a cabbage when it starts to die, but so far, so good. And after several days, it’s starting to turn a gorgeous red. 
These come in so many different colors & types. Here are just a few more I found…
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{source}If you’re looking for something a little different for the table, try these! 
October 12, 2011 @ 12:16 am
I love it too. I really admire the pinky-green ones below. Though they are "ornamental", can they also be eaten? That'd be an attractive side dish.
October 12, 2011 @ 12:22 am
@Claire
I asked the same question! Apparently it is edible, but doesn't taste as good as the traditional varieties. Sure would be pretty on a plate!
October 12, 2011 @ 12:29 am
What a creative idea! We get a lot of ornamental cabbages here in Australia, but I would never have thought to put one in a vase of water indoors. Love to know how it turns out. God bless x
October 12, 2011 @ 7:12 pm
What a great idea!!! I love kale, but never bring it indoors…gonna try that!
October 12, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
That's a great idea! I've seen them in flower beds but never in a vase, love it!