Caucasian Spinach

Name: Caucasian spinach Seeds | Certified Organic | UK Grown
Price: 2.25 GBP
Availability: InStock

Hablitzia tamnoides

Caucasian Spinach is one of the stars of the perennial vegetable movement. It’s an easy-to-grow, delicious perennial leafy-green that climbs up anything it can find. If left to its own devices it can reach up to 10 feet. Harvest the heart-shaped leaves from the early spring and use them like spinach.

Originating from the Black sea region of the Caucasus, it is found amongst beech woods and along rivers. It is a sprawling plant that does best when supported up canes or wires during the growing season. Its boom in popularity has grown out of the Scandinavian permaculture movement that adopted it after its introduction as an ornamental in 1870 with Lena Israelsson and Stephen Barstow popularising it in their horticultural writing.

As a member of the Chenopodiaceae family it’s related to the chards, beetroot, spinach, orach and quinoa. It is also related to the other leafy-green perennial stalwart, Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus). However, Caucasian Spinach is much more prolific and more reliable provider of your daily greens.

Categories: Herbs, Perennial Veg Seeds, Seed Packs

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Sowing and Growing

Caucasian spinach seed likes a touch of frost to germinate best. Stratify seed in the early spring and germinate in trays keeping moist until ready to plant out after the last frosts. It does well in most fertile soils and can tolerate some dry periods but does not especially like a sodden ground. It does well in full sun or light shade and should be grown up wire or a trellis to reach its full potential.

For propagating more plants, the mature plants can be divided in the winter. Alternatively, the runners that appear at the end of the summer can be ‘layered’ like strawberries. Lightly bury the stem node where the leaf bud appears in the soil and roots will grow ready for transplanting in the winter.

Uses and Benefits

Research in Scandinavia has shown that Hablitzia is high in carotenoids, folates, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc.

Harvesting and Preparation

One of the best things about Caucasian spinach is that it gives green leaves early in the Spring and so is a great filler for the ‘hungry-gap’.

Harvest the freshest leaves, wash and steam or stir-fry as you would any leafy green.

Species Info

Stratification Needed?

Cold-moist stratification recommended

Soil

Loamy

Recommended for Beginners

Height

> 200 cm

Recommended Sowing Times

February, March, April

Alkaline, Neutral

Sunlight

Part shade, Shade

Water

Moist

Life Cycle

Perennial

Flowering

August, September

Hardiness

H6 (hardy – very cold winter)

Flower Colour(s)

White

UK Native

RHS Pollinators

Can be sown direct?

Yes

General Uses

Perennial Veg

Best for Bees

Make Your Own

Food

Description

Additional information