How to Grow Burgundy Savill
Burgundy Savill
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableBurgundy Savill is a striking ornamental kale variety featuring deeply crinkled, burgundy-red leaves with a dense, compact growth habit. This cool-season brassica combines visual appeal with nutritional value, making it popular for both decorative garden displays and culinary use. The tender leaves develop richer color and sweetness after exposure to light frost.
When should you plant Burgundy Savill in your zone?
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Example Burgundy Savill timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Burgundy Savill
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Burgundy Savill
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Burgundy Savill dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler seasons and performs best in spring and fall plantings
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Get my Burgundy Savill timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny green cotyledons emerge, followed by true leaves. Plant is delicate and small.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct sowing.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple true leaves and establishes a compact rosette. Burgundy coloring begins to emerge as plant matures.
Maintain consistent watering and fertility. Begin light nitrogen feeding. Protect from cabbage moths with row covers if needed.
Leaf Development
3-4 weeksDeeply crinkled, burgundy-red leaves expand and intensify in color. Plant becomes full and dense.
Continue steady watering and feeding with balanced fertilizer. Monitor for pests. Remove any yellowing outer leaves.
Color Maturation
2-3 weeksLeaves achieve deep burgundy-red color, especially after cool temperatures or light frost exposure. Plant reaches full decorative and culinary appeal.
Color deepens with frost exposure. Harvest outer leaves as needed or wait for full plant maturity. Reduce nitrogen to enhance color.
Harvest
Ongoing until frostPlant is fully mature with vibrant burgundy foliage ready for harvest or continuous leaf picking.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production. Plant can produce for months in cool season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers, hand-pick caterpillars, apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, encourage beneficial parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick, use row covers, apply neem oil or Bt spray, encourage natural predators
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Use row covers on young plants, diatomaceous earth, neem oil spray, kaolin clay
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Strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage ladybugs and lacewings
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Protective collars around seedlings, diatomaceous earth, mulch management, beneficial nematodes
Uses
Raw Salads & Slaws
CulinaryBurgundy Savill's tender, deeply crinkled leaves are excellent raw in salads, slaws, and grain bowls. The mild, slightly sweet flavor and delicate texture make it more palatable raw than many kale varieties. [source]
Cooked & Sautéed Dishes
CulinaryLightly sauté with garlic and olive oil, or incorporate into soups, stews, and stir-fries. The tender leaves cook down quickly and pair well with Asian and Mediterranean cuisines. [source]
Nutritional & Anti-inflammatory Benefits
MedicinalRich in vitamins A, C, K, and minerals including calcium and iron. Contains glucosinolates and polyphenols with documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [source]
Ornamental Garden Display
HouseholdThe striking burgundy-red, heavily crinkled foliage makes Burgundy Savill an attractive ornamental addition to vegetable gardens, decorative borders, and container plantings that perform dual culinary and aesthetic roles. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt, Burgundy Savill produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and other beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant reaches 12-16 inches tall; cut from the bottom up to encourage continued production. For best flavor and nutritional content, harvest in morning after frost or light snow. Young, tender leaves are most flavorful. Can be harvested continuously throughout the season or entire plant cut at maturity. Flavor improves after frost exposure.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on Earth, containing more vitamin C per calorie than oranges and more absorbable calcium than milk.
- 🌱 The crinkled leaf texture is not just aesthetic—it increases surface area, making the leaves more tender and better at absorbing dressings and cooking liquids.
- 🌱 Burgundy Savill's color deepens dramatically after frost, as the plant produces more anthocyanin pigments and sugars as a natural antifreeze mechanism.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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