Description
Orach (Atriplex hortensis), also known as Mountain Spinach, is a hardy annual leafy green once widely grown in Europe before spinach became common. It is valued for its tolerance to heat and its ability to grow strongly through summer, when other leafy greens tend to bolt. Orach forms upright plants with triangular to arrow-shaped leaves, ranging in colour from bright green to deep wine-red depending on the variety. The leaves are mild, slightly salty, and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach. Young leaves are especially tender, while older leaves are best used in soups, stir-fries, and sautes. In the garden, Orach is a striking ornamental edible — the red varieties adding vibrant colour, while the green blends into cottage and potager plantings. It is quick-growing, self-seeding, and thrives in a wide range of soils, though it prefers fertile, well-drained conditions in full sun. Perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting, Orach offers beauty, resilience, and abundance as both a food and garden plant.
