Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus)

Low clumping (size 2x2 feet) perennial. Large deep root. Early blanched spring greens or eat the spring flower shoots like asparagus (cook with butter and garlic)

Non-flowering Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)

Same as garden sorrel but without the weedy seed head. Low clumping (2x2) perennial. Good fresh eating, adds a little tart to salads. Best for sorrel soup.

Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)

Large white flowers in early May. Clumping perennial (3x3). Can take some shade. Green seeds eaten fresh like black jellybeans, fern like foliage. Spring roots can be eaten raw, or cooked for a sweet snack (but will kill the plant).

Skirret (Sium sisarum)

Clumping perennial (4x4). Very elegant baby's breath like flowers great for attracting beneficial insects. Parsnip/carrot flavored roots. Roots can be detached and eaten fresh. Root harvest will not harm the plant.

Mint Root (Stachys affinis)

Ground cover to 18 " tall. Crispy roots, eat fresh in the fall or spring after foliage has dead back. Mix with Umeboshi vinegar and tamari, stir into salads.

Dwarf Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum)

Very effective ground cover. Full sun, or dry partial shade. Mostly stays dwarf below 2 feet in full sun, but reaches that hight during flower if in the shade. Like all comfreys, it is a good mulch plant, and insect habitat. Flowers edible.

Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum)

Prolific mulch plant. Cut back 4 times a year once established. Slow to expand clumping perennial (dense 4x4). Sterile non-seeding variety. Bumble bees love this plant.

Sea Kale (Crambe maritime)

Slow growing, clumping perennial (3x3). Tender spring shoots blanched and eaten fresh or cooked; April/May broccoli-like flower buds; fall harvested collard greens; glowing white spring flowers fill the air with a honey scent. Radiant blue green foliage.

Turkish Rocket (Bunias orientalis)

Clumping perennial (3 ft wide, 3 to 5 feet tall during flower). Pick new growth for a very early spring and late fall cooked mustard green. Spring flower buds eaten like Broccoli Raab.

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Spinach Vine (Hablitzia tamnoides)

Clumping perennial vine. Loves rich moist shade. Can reach 8 feet in second year. Very early tasty spring shoots, eat raw or cooked, before asparagus. Treat leaves like any cooked green in summer, flavor like spinach.

Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo)

Plant this banana in a protected location and the tropics will come to you each year! 8 to 12 feet depending on light and heat. Will not produce fruit in northern climates. Leaves can be used to wrap traditional tropical dishes. Or use as compostable plates!