Good King Henry Organic Seeds (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) – Perennial “poor man’s asparagus.” Edible shoots, leaves, and a forgotten heritage green.

Minimum: 30+ Seeds

Step back into history with Good King Henry, a hardy perennial vegetable once cherished in cottage gardens across Europe. Sometimes called “poor man’s asparagus”, this heirloom green has been grown for centuries as a reliable source of nutritious food. Both the young shoots (steamed like asparagus) and mature spinach-like leaves are edible, offering a multi-use, nutrient-dense addition to any garden focused on sustainability or self-reliance.

Unlike most modern greens, Good King Henry returns year after year, thriving in neglected corners, perennial beds, or edible landscapes. It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and perfect for homesteaders or gardeners wanting to reconnect with traditional food crops.

🌱 Key Features:

• 🌿 Perennial Green: Harvest year after year from a single planting

• 🍃 Edible Shoots & Leaves: Use like asparagus, spinach, or in stir-fries

• 🌼 Heritage Variety: Once a staple food in medieval and cottage gardens

• 💪 Nutrient-Rich: High in iron, vitamins A & C, and calcium

• 🌾 Tough & Adaptable: Grows well in poor soils and partial shade

🌞 Growing Information:

• Germination: 14–21 days (cold stratification may help)

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soil

• Height: 18–30 inches

• Spacing: 12–18 inches apart

• Hardiness Zones: 4–8

• Harvest: Shoots in early spring, leaves throughout summer

🥬 Great For:

• Food forests and permaculture designs

• Perennial vegetable gardens

• Edible landscaping

• Heritage and historical garden collections

• Cold-climate gardeners seeking resilient greens

🍽️ A Forgotten Treasure Reborn

Rediscover this under appreciated perennial and add depth to your garden with Good King Henry. It’s more than just a vegetable, it’s a piece of living history that feeds both your body and your curiosity.