5 unusual veg to grow in the UK

Lucy Hutchings from heirloom seed supplier She Grows Veg shares her top unusual veg to grow in the UK so you can add something a little different to your plot

In the world of gardening, there’s a rich tapestry of heirloom vegetable varieties waiting to be explored. While many are familiar with the classics like tomatoes and cucumbers, there’s a whole realm of more unusual veg to grow in the UK that can add excitement and diversity to your garden. Many of these crops are unavailable in the shops so mixing it up in the garden allows you to cook with the ingredients you can’t buy. This year, why not venture beyond the ordinary and try your hand at cultivating these five extraordinary heirloom vegetable varieties?

Unusual veg to grow in the UK

Leaf Broccoli Ribbons

If you’ve never laid eyes on leaf broccoli before, you are not alone. This staple vegetable from the north of Italy is rarely grown in the UK. Originally bred from a natural cross between savoy cabbage and broccoli, this delicious crop is grow for its edible leaves as opposed to the flower sprouts as with conventional Calabrese. The attractive leaves are long and ribbon like, and should be treated like kale. They are rich in vitamins, making this unique vegetable is as nutritious as it is beautiful.

Red Orach

Dare to add a splash of colour to your garden with this highly ornamental spinach alternative. Plants grow to around 6ft tall and produce a striking display of deep purple foliage with neon purple undersides that flash like bright lights in any breeze. In addition to their ornamental credentials, these plants are heat tolerant and will not bolt in summer like conventional spinach making them much easier to grow. With a classic spinach flavour, red orach is sure to captivate both the eyes and the taste buds.

Beef and Onion Tree

Tired of the same old greens? Well how about growing a tree that you can eat. Also called Chinese Mahogany or Toona Sinensis, the beef and onion tree is one of the only trees to offer genuinely delicious foliage. A traditional ingredient across Asia, the leaves are usually picked young and stir-fried. Pluck one off and have a taste and, as the name suggests, you will be rewarded with a burst of flavour that can best be compared to beef and onion crisps! And the best news, as a tree this is a life time of food from one plant once established.

Glass Gem Corn

Step into a world of colour with Glass Gem Corn, a stunning heirloom variety prized for its vibrant and jewel-like kernels. Each ear of corn showcases a kaleidoscope of hues, ranging from deep purples and blues to bright yellows, candy pinks and oranges. Beyond its mesmerising appearance, Glass Gem Corn really comes into its own when dried and used for popping corn. This unique variety is not only a feast for the eyes but also a testament to the diversity and beauty of heirloom crops, Glass Gem Corn is sure to add a touch of magic to your garden and table.

Amaranth

Rethink the ordinary with this unusual dual purpose crop that is more commonly grown as an ornamental. Available in a multitude of rainbow leaf colours from canary yellow, to scarlets, to deepest purple and even nearly black, amaranth leaves can be enjoyed raw in salads when young or the foliage can be cooked and enjoyed as a heat tolerant spinach alternative. The bonus comes later in summer when the plant sends out the impressive fountain like flowers spikes that have gained it so much favour with ornamental gardeners. Once the seed sets you can enjoy the resulting grain which is related to quinoa. Amaranth offers a unique and genuinely beautiful twist on a classic leafy crops.

All in all, exploring unusual heirloom vegetable varieties can open up a world of culinary possibilities and gardening adventures. From the vibrant antioxidant rich foliage of amaranth to the jewel-like kernels of Glass Gem Corn, each of these five crops offers a unique blend of flavour, beauty, and nutritional benefits. So why not add a touch of excitement to your garden this year and give these extraordinary heirloom vegetables a try? Your taste buds— and your dinner guests—will thank you for it.

Share this article