Chenopodium bonus-henricus
Good King Henry, Allgood, Fat hen, Goosefoot, Wild spinach, Mercury
Also known as Blitum bonus-henricus
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A widespread native found growing by roads, in hedges and farmyards, enjoying nitrogen-rich soil. It is of variable height and makes a clump of lively looking foliage. The leaves are quite large and triangular with wavy irregular edges. It produces a slender flowering spike that is conical in shape, a feature from May to August. The flowers are small and green and are followed by red fruits that turn black. It is a weed rather than an ornamental plant. In the past it was harvested as a green vegetable.
- Flower colour
- Green
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Herb garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.