Tree Spinach (with photo)

[Georgie]

This is the herb Chenopodium giganteum.  I grow it as an ornamental as I think it's far too pretty to eat.  And yes, it really is that colour!   ;D

G x

[Georgie]

[ceres]

That is so pretty - I want, I want!!  Is it Magentaspreen and did you grow it from seed or buy an established one?

[Georgie]

Amazin and I both bought a plant last year at a garden show but they were simply labelled 'Tree Spinach'.  I lost mine to leaf miner but Amazin managed to get hers to seed and sent me some, hence the plant pictured.  Happy too send on some seed if I get it to that stage this year.   :)

G x

[ceres]

That would be fab, thank you!

[Georgie]

I've made a note.   :)

G x

[calendula]

it is beautiful, gets very tall and I would suggest eating only the  small leaves - more tender - seeds itself a round as well, which is not such a bad thing - lovely

[Amazin]

They're lovely and quite unusual. The purple is like a dust - you can rub it off with your fingers, but it doesn't stain.

Happy too send on some seed if I get it to that stage this year.

If you do get to that stage, G, you'll never want for seeds again - I've still got them popping up all over the place!

;D

[Georgie]

Ceres

I was rooting around my seed box earlier and came across some spare seed.  If you'd like it then PM your details.   :)

G x

[ceres]

PM sent.

[loopyloulou]

soooo pretty! looks like u dropped some eyeshadow on it tho! never seen one of those before!

[Georgie]

soooo pretty! looks like u dropped some eyeshadow on it tho! never seen one of those before!

LOL!  I hadn't seen one until last year either.  The herb stall which was selling it was out of this world - so many unusual things.  I can't remember the name of the company for the life of me.  However, they were at the Innocent Garden Fete last year and since I'm going to that again next month I'll look out for them and post their details here.   :)

G x

[Amazin]

Georgie, I made a note of the name - I think it was on one of the labels or trays :

http://www.herbalhaven.com

Didn't know they were at the Innocent bash last year - I didn't go. The previous year I went but didn't spot any plants. Also I found the 'entrance fee' to my local park a little harder to swallow than their drinks - it's £7.50 for adults this year - £3.50 for kids (oooh! mini-rant!).

[Georgie]

Thanks for posting that link, Amazin.   :)

I think the Innocent bash is good value for money and a lot of fun.  It's non-profit making and all proceeds go to some worthwhile charities (IMHO).  Here's a link for anyone in or around the capital:

http://www.innocentvillagefete.com/ourlondonfete.php

G x

[ceres]

I carefully sowed Georgie's seed at home, pricked them out, potted them on and just put them out to harden off a few days ago.  All looking good.  Up at the plot today, decided to weed a bed that's waiting for the chillis to go in.  What did I find in the middle - a tree spinach, bigger than the ones I've nurtured at home and surrounded by lots more babies coming through!  Haven't seen them on anyone else's plot so goodness only knows where they came from.

[Georgie]

I carefully sowed Georgie's seed at home, pricked them out, potted them on and just put them out to harden off a few days ago.  All looking good.  Up at the plot today, decided to weed a bed that's waiting for the chillis to go in.  What did I find in the middle - a tree spinach, bigger than the ones I've nurtured at home and surrounded by lots more babies coming through!  Haven't seen them on anyone else's plot so goodness only knows where they came from.

LOL isn't that typical?   ;D  Still, rather too much of a good thing than none at all eh?  And I'll bet you'll find someone to take the spares off your hands - such pretty plants.   :)

G x