Purple Passion Orach (Mountain Spinach) (Atriplex hortensis) is a stunning heirloom leafy vegetable grown for its brilliant deep purple foliage, mild spinach-like flavor, and exceptional heat tolerance. Unlike traditional spinach, which quickly bolts in warm weather, Purple Passion thrives through the heat of summer, providing continuous harvests of tender, colorful leaves. Its striking appearance makes it equally valuable as an ornamental focal point in the garden and a nutritious addition to the kitchen.

Introduction

Purple Passion Orach has been admired for centuries as both an ornamental and edible plant. The tall, graceful plants produce vibrant burgundy-purple leaves that create a dramatic contrast with green vegetables and flowers. Easy to grow and remarkably productive, this heirloom is an excellent alternative to spinach during warm weather, offering fresh greens long after traditional spinach has faded.

Why Grow Purple Passion Orach?

• Beautiful deep purple foliage adds dramatic garden color.
• Excellent spinach substitute during hot weather.
• Mild, tender leaves with excellent flavor.
• Highly heat tolerant and slow to bolt.
• Fast growing and productive.
• Outstanding for edible landscapes.
• Easy to grow from seed.
• Perfect for salads and cooked greens.

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The young leaves have a mild, slightly earthy flavor similar to spinach with a tender texture that is excellent fresh in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Larger leaves are delicious steamed, sautéed, added to soups, quiches, stir-fries, pasta dishes, and casseroles. The vivid purple foliage also adds beautiful color to salad mixes and gourmet presentations.

Growing Information

Purple Passion Orach grows best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, well-drained soil with regular moisture. Unlike spinach, it thrives in warm summer temperatures and continues producing tender foliage for months. Harvest young leaves frequently to encourage continuous new growth, or allow plants to mature into impressive ornamental specimens reaching several feet in height.

• Botanical Name: Atriplex hortensis
• Plant Type: Hardy annual leafy vegetable
• Days to Maturity: 40–50 days
• Plant Height: 4–6 feet
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Spacing: 12–18 inches

Seedman Notes

Purple Passion Orach is one of our favorite vegetables for gardeners who enjoy growing something a little different. The brilliant purple foliage creates a spectacular display while providing delicious harvests throughout the hottest part of summer when spinach has long since bolted. If you're looking for a vegetable that's both beautiful and productive, Purple Passion is an outstanding addition to the garden.

Quick Facts

Magenta Magic Orach (Mountain Spinach) (Atriplex hortensis) is a spectacular heirloom leafy vegetable grown for its brilliant magenta-purple foliage, tender spinach-like leaves, and exceptional summer performance. Unlike traditional spinach, which quickly bolts in hot weather, Magenta Magic thrives during warm temperatures, producing abundant harvests of colorful, nutritious greens throughout the season. Its striking foliage makes it equally valuable as an ornamental centerpiece in flower beds, edible landscapes, and vegetable gardens.

Introduction

Magenta Magic lives up to its name with vibrant leaves that range from rich burgundy to brilliant magenta, creating one of the most eye-catching displays in the garden. The vigorous plants grow quickly into attractive upright specimens while continuously producing tender young leaves for harvest. Easy to grow and remarkably adaptable, this beautiful heirloom offers gardeners both ornamental beauty and delicious greens during the hottest months of the year.

Why Grow Magenta Magic Orach?

• Brilliant magenta-purple foliage adds stunning garden color.
• Excellent spinach substitute during warm weather.
• Tender, mild-flavored leaves.
• Highly heat tolerant and slow to bolt.
• Fast growing and productive.
• Outstanding ornamental edible.
• Easy to grow from seed.
• Perfect for gardens, raised beds, and edible landscapes.

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The tender young leaves have a mild, delicate flavor similar to spinach with a slight earthy sweetness. Fresh leaves add vibrant color to salads, sandwiches, and wraps, while mature leaves are excellent sautéed, steamed, added to soups, stir-fries, pasta dishes, quiches, and casseroles. The brilliant foliage also creates beautiful gourmet salad blends and colorful plate presentations.

Growing Information

Magenta Magic Orach grows best in fertile, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. It thrives during warm weather when traditional spinach struggles, continuing to produce fresh leaves for months. Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth, or allow plants to reach their full ornamental height for an impressive display in the garden.

• Botanical Name: Atriplex hortensis
• Plant Type: Hardy annual leafy vegetable
• Days to Maturity: 40–50 days
• Plant Height: 4–6 feet
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Spacing: 12–18 inches

Seedman Notes

Magenta Magic is one of those vegetables that visitors notice immediately. Its vivid purple foliage brings dramatic color to the garden while supplying tender greens throughout the summer. We especially enjoy planting it alongside green lettuces, Swiss chard, and herbs, where the brilliant leaves create an edible display that's every bit as attractive as a flower border.

Quick Facts

Red Plume Orach (Mountain Spinach) (Atriplex hortensis) is a beautiful heirloom leafy vegetable prized for its vibrant crimson-red foliage, tender spinach-like leaves, and outstanding heat tolerance. Unlike traditional spinach, which quickly bolts during warm weather, Red Plume continues producing abundant harvests of flavorful greens throughout the summer. Its colorful foliage and graceful upright growth make it equally valuable as an ornamental accent and a productive garden vegetable.

Introduction

Red Plume Orach brings striking color and dependable production to the vegetable garden. The vigorous plants develop rich red stems and broad crimson leaves that create a dramatic contrast with traditional green vegetables. As the plants mature, their upright growth habit and colorful foliage make them one of the most attractive edible plants in the garden, while the tender leaves provide fresh harvests over an extended growing season.

Why Grow Red Plume Orach?

• Brilliant crimson-red foliage adds outstanding garden color.
• Excellent spinach substitute during hot weather.
• Tender leaves with a mild, pleasant flavor.
• Highly heat tolerant and slow to bolt.
• Fast growing and productive.
• Outstanding ornamental edible plant.
• Easy to grow from seed.
• Perfect for vegetable gardens and edible landscapes.

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young Red Plume leaves have a mild, delicate flavor similar to spinach with a slightly earthy sweetness. They are delicious fresh in salads, wraps, and sandwiches, while larger leaves are excellent steamed, sautéed, added to soups, stir-fries, pasta dishes, quiches, and casseroles. The vivid red foliage also adds beautiful color to mixed salad greens and gourmet presentations.

Growing Information

Red Plume grows best in fertile, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Unlike traditional spinach, it thrives during the heat of summer and continues producing fresh foliage for months. Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage continuous new growth, or allow plants to mature into tall ornamental specimens that become a striking feature in the garden.

• Botanical Name: Atriplex hortensis
• Plant Type: Hardy annual leafy vegetable
• Days to Maturity: 40–50 days
• Plant Height: 4–6 feet
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Spacing: 12–18 inches

Seedman Notes

Red Plume is one of our favorite vegetables for adding both beauty and productivity to the summer garden. Its vivid crimson foliage creates an impressive display while providing tender greens long after traditional spinach has disappeared. Whether you're growing it for colorful salads or simply to brighten the vegetable garden, Red Plume is a rewarding heirloom that's sure to attract attention.

Quick Facts