Which Perennial Vegetables UK Growing

In the world of gardening, perennial vegetables offer a unique opportunity to cultivate a sustainable and low-maintenance garden that yields delicious harvests year after year. Unlike annual vegetables that require replanting each season, perennial vegetables return reliably, making them a valuable addition to any UK garden. In this blog, we’ll explore a selection of perennial vegetables well-suited for UK growing conditions, providing insights into their cultivation and culinary potential.

Artichoke Italian Purple

Artichoke

Globe artichokes are striking perennial vegetables prized for their tender hearts and savoury flavour. Plant artichoke crowns or seedlings in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Provide ample space for artichoke plants to spread, as they can reach considerable size. Harvest artichokes when the buds are still tight and compact. We love our Heirloom Purple Italian Artichoke.

Perennial Spinach New Zealand

Spinach

Believe it or not there is a spinach variety that’s perennial, it’s called New Zealand perennial spinach and is a brilliant, drought and shade tolerant herbaceous plant that you pick the leaves from and eat just like regular spinach though they must be cooked. Named Warrigal greens in its native Australia it’s super easy to grow and can survive the hot summers without bolting. Mulch thickly once it has died back in winter and it should survive all but the harshest of cold snaps

Perennial Nodding Onion

Onions

There are a couple of perennial onions that we just love here at She Grows Veg. The first is Nodding Onion and the second is Red Bunching Onion. Treat like spring onions and harvest these as and when they are ready but leave the roots and some of the plant in place so that they grow again and provide more oniony loveliness for our table.

Kale Cottagers

Cottagers Kale

This super hardy kale variety sits somewhere between a kale and a brussel sprout. As long as all flower sprouts are removed (these can be enjoyed much like sprouting broccoli) this plant will go on producing delicious nutrient dense leaves for several years.

Plantain Purple Perversion

Plantain

A less known leafy green but one that is set to potentially become one of our future food due to its tolerance of heat, drought, sun and shade. There are some highly ornamental varieties available, we love Variegata and the fabulously named Purple Perversion.

Dahlia Bishop’s Children

Dahlia

Rarely thought of as an edible, this much loved late summer flower was originally brought over to Europe as a food crop where it has been a traditional staple starchy root in its native Mexico. Easy to grow from seed and giving both flower and tuber in its first year. Try Bishops Children for the prettiest root crop you will ever grow.

Garden Berry Goji

Goji Berry

For a perennial fruit crop that is easy to grow from seed and packs a real superfood punch consider trying Goji berries. Plants will start to give berries towards the end of the first year or possibly the second depending on when you get them into the ground. Plants grow very fast and can spread so select your location with care, an excellent choice for edible hedging plants in the garden.

Perennial vegetables offer a sustainable and rewarding way to cultivate a diverse and resilient garden in the UK. By incorporating these perennial favourites into your garden, you can enjoy delicious harvests year after year with minimal effort. So, roll up your sleeves, plant some perennial vegetables, and reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest for years to come.

Happy gardening!