A fine Heritage variety, Cottages has unusual green/purple leaves, is extremly hardy, providing a tasty supply of leaves throughout the winter. Unlike other kales a secondary crop of tasty side shoots up the stems in early spring. Originated from a cross between a kale, brussels sprout and then recrossed with purple sprouting broccoli. This breeding was found of interest by Charles Darwin and mentioned in his writings of the Gardeners Chronical of 1860, and his book Animals and Plants under Domestication in 1868.