Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus)

Once a staple across Europe, Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) was a plant for everyone. Also called “poor man’s asparagus,” its tender shoots and rich, spinach-like leaves made it a go-to green for both humble cottage gardens and elaborate castle kitchens. It’s a versatile and reliable plant, loved for its simple, hearty nature and its ability to provide two different harvests.

🌱 Perennial (dies back in winter and regrows each spring)

🌤️ Light: Full sun to partial shade

📏 Garden Size: Grows 45–90 cm tall, spreading around 30 cm wide

🪴 Pot Size: Best in medium containers (minimum 25–30 cm deep), but thrives even better in open ground

🥗 Flavour & Use: This dual-purpose plant offers both young shoots that can be cooked like asparagus and rich, earthy leaves perfect for soups, stews, or sautéed dishes. The seeds can even be ground into a rustic flour.

💚 Nutrition & Health: A humble but powerful source of nourishment, Good King Henry is high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A & C. These nutrients are fantastic for supporting bone strength, boosting energy, and providing immune support.

💪 Resilience: A truly steadfast plant, Good King Henry is highly resistant to common pests and returns reliably each spring with very little fuss. It’s a dependable perennial that thrives even better in open ground, making it a low-maintenance, long-lasting addition to any garden.

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)

Often called “gourmet parsley,” Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a delicate herb with a subtle, anise-like flavour that is essential to classic French cooking. Once grown in monastery gardens, this elegant annual brings a refined touch to soups, salads, and egg dishes. It's a plant for the discerning cook who understands that a little refinement can make all the difference.

🌱 Annual (does not survive winter; reseed each spring or return to The Forgotten Garden for fresh stock)

🌤️ Light: Partial shade to full sun (prefers cooler conditions)

📏 Garden Size: Grows 30–60 cm tall, spreading 30–45 cm wide

🪴 Pot Size: Perfect for small to medium containers (minimum 15–20 cm deep)

🥗 Flavour & Use: Best used fresh to preserve its delicate, aniseed flavour. The leaves can be stirred into soups, omelettes, or salads right at the end of cooking, or used to add a sophisticated note to sauces and dressings.

💚 Nutrition & Health: A delicate powerhouse of vitamins, Chervil is naturally high in vitamins A and C and is a good source of manganese. It has been used traditionally to support digestion and strengthen immunity.

💪 Resilience: Thriving in cooler conditions, this elegant herb is highly resistant to common pests. Chervil flourishes in partial shade, making it a low-fuss and reliable addition to your garden that adds a consistent touch of class to your kitchen.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

A bold, aromatic herb with a powerful celery-like flavour, Lovage (Levisticum officinale) was once a staple in apothecaries and kitchens alike. Known for its commanding presence, just one plant can flavour an entire garden’s worth of meals. It's a confident, singular addition that offers a significant return, cementing its place as a favourite of gardeners and cooks.

🌱 Perennial (dies back in winter and regrows each spring)

🌤️ Light: Full sun to partial shade

📏 Garden Size: Grows 90–180 cm tall, spreading up to 90 cm wide

🪴 Pot Size: Needs a large container (minimum 45 cm deep and wide); thrives best in open ground

🥗 Flavour & Use: With a bold, celery-like flavour, every part of the Lovage plant is edible. The leaves add a deep, rich note to soups and stews, while the stems can be candied or simmered in broths. The seeds are also a fantastic, bold spice.

💚 Nutrition & Health: Historically used in apothecaries for its medicinal properties, Lovage is rich in vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and potassium. It is traditionally valued for supporting digestion and acting as a natural diuretic.

💪 Resilience: A truly robust and dependable perennial, Lovage is highly resistant to common pests and is built for the long haul. It grows with very little fuss and returns reliably each spring, providing a continuous harvest for years to come.

Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius)

Nicknamed “oyster plant” for its mild, savoury flavour, Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) is a humble but delicious root crop with a reputation for rewarding a gardener's patience. Cultivated since the Middle Ages in monastery gardens, its long, tender roots offer an elegant taste that is worth the extra effort. For those who can master its needs, it is a culinary prize.

🌱 Biennial (grows over two years, may self-seed if flowers are left to mature)

🌤️ Light: Full sun

📏 Garden Size: Grows around 120 cm tall, with narrow spread (30 cm)

🪴 Pot Size: Requires a deep container (minimum 30 cm) to allow straight root growth.

🥗 Flavour & Use: The roots have a subtle oyster-like flavour that is delicate and lovely, especially when boiled, mashed, or roasted. They are a delightful addition to soups, stews, and creamy sauces.

💚 Nutrition & Health: A deeply nourishing root, Salsify is high in fibre, iron, and potassium. These nutrients are fantastic for supporting digestion, boosting energy, and promoting overall heart health.

💪 Resilience: While it requires specific care to grow a long, straight root, Salsify is a generally low-maintenance plant. It is highly resistant to common pests and holds its own in a variety of conditions, a testament to its quiet but determined nature.

⚠️ Note: Can self-seed prolifically. Remove flowers before they set seed if you want to control spread.