Tree collards
Brassica oleracea (perennial)
A collard that never bolts: pick leaves for years from one plant in a frost-light climate.
Hardiness: zones 8 to 10
Light: full sun
Size: about 8 ft tall, 3 ft wide
Harvest: year-round
From: Bay Area gardens
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food.
Native to: California. Hardy in zones 8 to 10.
The story
Tree collards are a perennial collard of unknown origin, kept alive for a century by cuttings passed hand to hand through Bay Area and Southern Black gardening communities; they grow 8 feet tall, never bolt in a mild climate, and feed a household for years from one plant.
Planting
Full sun, rich soil, and a frost-light climate; plant a rooted cutting in spring and stake it. It is perennial in zone 8 and up.
Growing
Water steadily, feed with compost, and stake the tall stem. Take cuttings every few years to renew. Pick off aphids and cabbage worms.
Harvest and use
Pick lower leaves any time, year-round; sweetest in cool weather. Cook like collards or kale.
What to watch for
Aphids, cabbage worms, and hard frost.
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More perennial vegetables, greens and herbs
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home