Red Orach

[Primrose]

I was reading the article by Katherine Crouch in the May edition of KG and saw the photo of Red Orach which I have never come across before.
Has anybody grown this? The comment was that it was good for use in salads or as a substitute for spinach. I love the idea of having red leaves in salad but before I rush out and try to find a packet of seeds to experiment with, can somebody please tell me whether:
a) It has a bitter flavour
b) Do the leaves turn green when cooked like spinach
c) Does it really grow up to 4 feet in height? (This would overwhelm my other veggies in a small patch.

[alan refail]

Hi Primrose

a) No
b) Don't know - I wouldn't try cooking it - eat small and young
c) Yes

Alan

[alan refail]

...oh yes; forgot to mention: if you let it go to seed you will never need to buy seed again Vigorous self-seeder

[The Mouse]

...oh yes; forgot to mention: if you let it go to seed you will never need to buy seed again Vigorous self-seeder

Hi Primrose
Take heed - what Alan has said here is very true.
I was given some red orach about seven or eight years ago, and grew it in the veg patch in my garden. That veg patch was replaced with lawn about five years ago, but the red orach has kept coming up in the lawn ever since! Not a problem, but an indication of how it might run out of control if you let it.

[alan refail]

By Sod's law of gardening no. 358(b), I've sown some this year and had very poor germination.