TOP 10 PLANTS
2 Onion ‘Rose de Roscoff’
3 Runner bean ‘Czar’
This heirloom variety from Brittany, once sold here by Breton ‘Onion Johnnies’, also goes by the name of ‘Keravel Pink’. Sets can be hard to find, although Pennard Plants sells seed. “They are worth hunting down because of their amazing character and flavour,” says Anne-Marie. “We use them for French onion soup.”
Runner beans offer a bounty in late summer. They also make a fine decorative element when trained up obelisks or arches with other climbing plants such as squashes, cucumbers, sweetpeas and Cobaea scandens. White-flowering ‘Czar’ is no exception: AnneMarie advises eating these when they’re young and green.
4 Kale ‘Westland Winter’
5 Potato ‘Yukon Gold’
Kale is superb in cooler months and ‘Westland Winter’ especially so – in fact, its leaves sweeten after a frost. “It’s such a reliable plant. It has a rich, bitter taste, with a hint of sweetness.” notes Anne-Marie. Enjoy it steamed or eat baby leaves raw in salads. Sow in spring and early summer for a September-to-April harvest.
“These are a great all-rounder for us here at Le Manoir. The kitchens use them for roasting, chips and sautéing,” says AnneMarie. This second early is originally from Canada. It has slightly yellow flesh that’s on the waxy side, but it is also dry enough for baking. Try potatohouse.co.uk for seed potatoes.
66 THE ENGLISH GARDEN APRIL 2021
