Good King Henry

Good King Henry, often called 'Poor Man's Asparagus', is a traditional English perennial pot-herb that has been grown in cottage gardens for centuries. It produces a clump of arrow-shaped, slightly succulent leaves with a mealy underside. In late spring and summer, it sends up spikes of tiny, greenish-brown flowers. It is valued for its versatility; the young shoots can be harvested and cooked like asparagus, the leaves prepared like spinach, and the flowering spikes steamed like broccoli. This plant is incredibly hardy (H7) and reliable, thriving in the cool, damp British climate. It prefers a nitrogen-rich soil and a position in partial shade, though it will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist. It is an excellent choice for a forest garden or a low-maintenance vegetable patch. Once established, it returns year after year with minimal intervention, providing an early spring harvest.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul, Aug.