Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus)

Cold hardy perennial sometimes called poor man’s asparagus or perennial spinach. Native to Europe but naturalized widely and hardy in Zone 3. Plants form clumps with arrow shaped leaves that are edible in spring and summer. Traditionally used as a pot herb, leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach. Flowers are small and greenish and appear on tall spikes later in the season. Grows well in average garden soil and spreads gradually over time. Low maintenance and long lived, it is valued as an early season leafy green in cottage gardens and permaculture plantings.

Hardiness: Zone 3