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Heirloom Perennial Green • Medieval Cottage Garden Staple
Bring a true old-world edible into your garden with Good King Henry, a rare perennial green once beloved across medieval Europe. Sometimes called poor man’s asparagus, this hardy plant produces tender spring shoots and spinach-like leaves year after year. You will receive 20 seeds.Why Grow Good King Henry?
- Perennial food plant - harvest for decades once established
- Early spring shoots before most greens emerge
- Nutritious leaves similar to spinach or lamb’s quarters
- Cold-hardy and low maintenance
- Historically grown in monastery and cottage gardens
Plant Details
- Botanical name: Blitum bonus-henricus
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Height: 12-24 inches
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile
- Hardiness: Zones 3-8
- Edible parts: Young shoots, leaves, flower buds
Growing Notes
Seeds benefit from cold stratification (natural winter sowing or refrigeration before planting). Germination can be slow and irregular - patience is rewarded with a long-lived plant that improves each year. Allow plants to establish fully before heavy harvesting.
In the Kitchen
Use leaves like spinach (best cooked), harvest spring shoots like asparagus, or steam young flower buds like broccoli. A wonderful addition for foragers, permaculture gardens, and historical food enthusiasts.
Perfect for permaculture gardens, edible landscapes, medieval or heritage gardens, and gardeners who love rare, meaningful plants.
Note: Seeds have been stratified and tested for germination. Seeds have been refrigerated for since harvest Fall 2025.
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