Atriplex hortensis var. rubra
Orach, Mountain spinach, Orache
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Here's a plant that can be pestilential but which is redeemed by its brilliant red colour. Normally a rather dull red, when caught by the sun, it blazes with heart catching light. Spinach-like, you can also eat it, but it is inferior to true spinach. The flowers are borne in a long gangly spire with the fine flower clusters coloured red. It seeds prolifically, but, fortunately its numerous seedlings are red and thus readily identified for weeding out.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Red
- Stem colour
- Red
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Coloured stems
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
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-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.