Blitum bonus-henricus
Good King Henry
Common names: Poor man's asparagus, Lincolnshire spinach
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Spacing
- 30 cm, rows 40 cm
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Sowing
- Apr–May
- Harvest
- May–Sep
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −15 °C
- Water need
- Medium
- Origin
- Native to Germany
Photo: Orjen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
Blitum bonus-henricus, commonly known as Good King Henry, is a perennial leafy vegetable that was cultivated in medieval monastic gardens and has recently been rediscovered as a wild spinach. Its triangular, slightly powdery leaves taste similar to spinach but are milder and somewhat earthier. The plant grows upright, reaching 30 to 60 cm in height, and thrives in partially shaded, nutrient‑rich sites. Once established, it provides reliable harvests for many years without the need for re‑sowing. The leaves contain oxalates and saponins, so they should be blanched or cooked before consumption.
Care instructions
Plant Good King Henry in a partially shaded to sunny location with humus‑rich, moist soil; it performs poorly in containers or dry corners. Sow directly into the bed from mid‑April (week 16) to mid‑May (week 20); germination can take several weeks, so patience is required. Keep the soil evenly moist and apply a compost amendment in spring to encourage vigorous leaf growth. Harvest young leaves and shoot tips continuously from May through autumn to keep the plant compact and encourage repeated growth. In autumn, cut back the above‑ground parts; the rootstock survives frost in the bed.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
SowingApr–May
HarvestMay–Sep
Germination
- Soil temperature
- from 4 °C, ideally 12 °C
- Days to sprout
- 14 to 42 days
- Light
- Needs light to sprout
- Sowing depth
- Press in, don't cover
- How to start
- Sow straight into the bed
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
nutrient-rich, humus-rich, moist, loamy
Good King Henry likes a deep, humus-rich soil that holds moisture well yet is not waterlogged. As an old cottage-garden plant, it appreciates nutrient-rich soil, such as you find along fences or near compost heaps. Sandy, poor spots earn you small, tough leaves.
Since Good King Henry stays in the same place for many years, classic crop rotation only matters when you set up a new bed. Do not plant it directly after spinach or chard, so that no soil-borne problems from the same family build up.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar–May
A dressing of compost in early spring is enough for the whole season, because Good King Henry, as a perennial, is undemanding. At the start of growth in March and April it welcomes a mulch layer of mature compost or rotted leaves, which also keeps the soil moist. Watered with nettle liquid feed, it regrows faster after the first cut.
Overwintering
Good King Henry dies right back in autumn and overwinters without trouble in the open ground with its strong taproot. A mulch layer of leaves or straw protects the rootstock additionally from severe frost. In spring it reliably shoots again, often as early as March.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
Sowing works best directly in April, as Good King Henry is a cold-stratification seed and benefits from a period of frost. Alternatively, you can scatter the seeds in autumn and let nature take care of the stratification. Established clumps can be divided in early spring or autumn by carefully cutting through the taproot with a sharp spade. The divisions grow into full plants the following year.
For your garden
Grow Good King Henry yourself
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