Purple Tree Collards

Purple Tree Collards

Purple tree collards are an edible perennial vegetable that are essential to any permaculture food forest.  They are super low maintenance and very nutritious.  The leaves are full of calcium as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, and C.  They are also an excellent source of soluble fiber.

Purple tree collards can be strained to grow up a wall or other structure, or can be grown as lateral ground cover, if they have adequate space.  During the growing season, the leaves can be harvested daily, and the plant can live up to 20 years.  They typically get sweeter and turn from green to purple during fall and winter.