Perennial Vegetables
Hablitzia tamnoides
A rare perennial climbing spinach that actually likes shade and can produce edible shoots and leaves for decades.
Plants are grown on a small scale. The exact supplied size and format can vary with the season; when this item is available, the current sale details are shown here.
Why it belongs in a forgotten garden
One of the strongest “what on earth is that?” plants in the collection. Caucasian Spinach gives a flush of edible spring shoots from a long-lived climbing perennial and is especially valuable because it can crop where many vegetables dislike the shade.
A rare perennial climber from the Caucasus, this shade-loving vine is a resilient powerhouse that will produce edible shoots and leaves for decades. Sometimes called “mountain spinach,” this plant is an incredibly hardy and low-maintenance solution for those awkward, shady corners where nothing else seems to thrive.
Explore its place in Victorian garden history.
Growing guide
Deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of organic matter. A cool root run suits it better than a hot, dry position.
Light: Partial to full shade
Water well while establishing and during dry spring weather. Mulching helps keep the roots cool and moist.
Usually raised from seed, which benefits from a cold period, or from division/cuttings where material is available. Young plants are slow at first and become much stronger once established.
Give it a trellis, fence or other support. Mulch in spring and guide new shoots onto support; mature plants can be cut back after the foliage dies down.
From garden to kitchen
The prime harvest is spring: take young shoots when tender, followed by soft young leaves. Once growth becomes older and more fibrous, stop harvesting heavily and let the plant build strength.
Once well established, cut the earliest shoots at around 10–15 cm and then pick leaves through the season. Young plants should be allowed to build strength before heavy harvesting.
Young shoots and tender leaves.
The young shoots can be harvested when 10–15 cm tall and treated like asparagus. The mild, non-bitter leaves are superb raw in salads or can be blended into pesto. They also hold their own when sautéed, steamed, or folded into curries, pies, and soups.
Used as a leafy green, providing fibre and the broad range of micronutrients expected from green leaves. Specific nutrient values vary and are less well documented than for mainstream spinach.
Traditional medicinal uses, where mentioned in the historical material, are included as history rather than medical advice.
Kitchen idea
Treat the young shoots rather like asparagus or a robust spring green.
How tough is it?
This plant is a true survivor. It is highly resistant to common pests and capable of withstanding a variety of conditions. Its natural ability to thrive in shade makes it a dependable, low-maintenance choice for gardeners with challenging light conditions.
Usually comparatively pest resistant once established. Slugs and snails can be hard on very young shoots, so protect the first flush if your garden has heavy pressure.
Its flowers are small and not the main attraction, but the permanent perennial structure adds diversity to a mixed edible garden.
Needs a large, deep container (minimum 35–40 cm) with a trellis or support
Container plants generally need more frequent watering and feeding than the same plant in open ground.
Ready to grow it?
Plants are grown on a small scale. The exact supplied size and format can vary with the season; when this item is available, the current sale details are shown here.
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