Hablitzia
€12.95
Hablitzia (Hablitzia tamnoides), also known as Caucasian Spinach, is a hardy, long-lived perennial climbing vegetable that can reach 2–3 m tall when given support. In spring, it produces tender green shoots and heart-shaped leaves with a mild, spinach-like flavour, followed by airy sprays of small greenish-white flowers later in the season. The young shoots, leaves, and unopened flower buds are edible and can be used fresh in salads or cooked like spinach in soups, omelettes, stir-fries, pies, and gratins. Hablitzia is easy to grow once established and is ideal for gardeners of all experience levels, providing an unusual perennial leafy green for edible gardens, forest gardens, shaded borders, and permaculture plantings.
Hablitzia thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, with consistent moisture during active growth. It is fully hardy in Ireland’s cool temperate climate and is especially valuable because it produces early edible greens when many annual vegetables are still getting started. Its shade tolerance, climbing habit, perennial growth, and reliable spring harvests make it an excellent choice for productive woodland edges, edible screens, living trellises, and resilient low-maintenance food systems.
Quantity
Only 1 left in stock
Growing Instructions
Plant in partial shade or full sun in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-rotted organic matter. Provide a trellis, arch, fence, obelisk, or living support such as a small tree or shrub for the plant to climb. Water regularly during dry spells, especially while establishing young plants, and apply a mulch of compost, leaf mould, or woodchip each spring to retain moisture, feed the soil, and keep the roots cool.
Harvest young shoots and leaves in spring and early summer, cutting carefully to allow continued regrowth. The plant dies back naturally in winter before returning from the crown each spring, becoming stronger and more productive as it matures. Its edible spinach-like leaves, shade tolerance, climbing habit, and long-lived perennial nature make it perfect for forest gardens, edible borders, woodland edges, kitchen gardens, and permaculture systems seeking reliable early-season greens.
