I’m not sure why Chenopodium giganteum isn’t more widely grown. It’s beautifully decorative, sitting well in any mixed border or veg patch (N.B. can grow up to 2m high) and the small, outrageously pink, leaves will add a bit of glamour to any salad. The larger leaves can be cooked as spinach (with much less shrinkage), and dressed with a sprinkling of olive oil and a splash of lemon juice, is a great veg to accompany many a summer meal.
It’s also definitely worth noting that this plant is a crazy self-seeder (if you let it!), so once grown, you’ll never have to buy another pack of seeds again. I did plant this on my allotment one year, and the following spring a myriad of seedlings popped up on my plot (and my neighbour’s plot too!). But the easily identified, bright pink seedlings can be happily transferred elsewhere if there’s a free spot and thinnings out can add a succulent bite to the salad bowl. Should you fancy trying this out next spring, seeds are available from Chilterns Seeds and Sarah Raven.
