Seeds, Collards, Purple Ultracross

Collards, Purple Ultracross
(Brassica oleracea var. viridis)

Purple Ultracross Collards combine the cold-hardiness and productivity of traditional collards with striking purple coloration. Bred for vigor and uniformity, this variety produces broad, tender leaves with mild flavor that improves after frost. A dependable cool-season staple for homesteaders seeking steady greens from early fall through winter.

Key Characteristics

• Cold-Hardy & Frost-Sweetened
  Purple Ultracross tolerates repeated frosts and continues producing well into late fall and winter in mild climates. Cold temperatures improve leaf sweetness and tenderness, making it an excellent overwintering green in zones 7–10.
• Large, Tender, Nutritious Leaves
  Broad purple-tinged leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and fiber. Harvest outer leaves regularly for continual production, or cut whole plants for batch cooking and preserving.
• Productive & Uniform Growth
  Bred for strong growth and consistency, this variety forms upright plants that are easy to harvest. Reliable yields make it well suited to market growers and home gardens alike.
• Season-Extending Cool-Weather Crop
  Ideal for succession planting in late summer for fall harvest. In regenerative systems, collards fit well into brassica rotations and can follow nitrogen-fixing summer crops.

Product Details

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. viridis
• Native Range: Mediterranean (widely cultivated)
• Plant Life Cycle: Biennial grown as an annual
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-wet, fertile, well-drained
• Mature Height: 24–36 inches
• Bloom Time: April–May (second year if overwintered)
• Bloom Color: Yellow
• Days to Maturity: ~55–75 days
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as annual in zones 3–10; overwintering possible in 7–10

Direct sow in early spring or late summer. Transplanting seedlings can help establish strong fall crops. Provide compost-rich soil and consistent moisture for best leaf quality. Harvest lower leaves first to extend the season. In permaculture gardens, collards serve as a dependable cool-season layer between summer crops and early spring plantings.

Purple Ultracross Collards deliver resilience, nutrition, and striking color—an essential green for extended harvests and winter kitchens.

These seeds come from the Appalachian Seed Growers Collective, a regional network of farmers dedicated to growing and sharing seeds adapted to the Southern Appalachian climate and rooted in seed sovereignty and crop diversity. These varieties have been grown and saved in place by local growers to thrive in your garden while supporting resilient, locally-grown food systems.