On 09/06/2014 09:34, Martin wrote:
On Sun, 08 Jun 2014 14:44:36 +0100, Martin Brown
wrote:

On 07/06/2014 21:15, Janet wrote:


Something we enjoy a lot with beef, beetroot etc. So, I acquired a
small root, potted it up and it's growing away nicely.

The question is; is it a rampageous spreader I would regret letting
loose in the garden, or should it be held captive (perhaps in a large
buried pot)?

Janer

It is invasive and vigorous. I would be inclined to grow it in a largish
isolated surrounded by concrete raised bed. The old walled garden ~2
acres not far from me was full of the stuff. It took them about three
years to dig it out to the point where it didn't return.

Is that the Helmsley Walled Garden?

No another about 15 miles from there which has now become a small
specialist nursery - Dark Star Plants doing mostly black plants. They
have some old breed apples, pears, mulberries and other fruit trees that
came with the plot with fruit sold there and a nearby farm shop.

http://darkstarplants.co.uk/index.html

The walled garden along with a now derelict extensive glass house
provided the fruit and vegetables to Rounton Grange (now demolished).
This was a part of the Bell country estate bought by Sir Isaac Lowthian
Bell one of the original founding ironmasters of Middlesbrough.

It had been left wild for rearing pheasants for decades and the
horseradish had held its own against all comers! It was head height in
brambles and small saplings when they first started clearing it.

If you are interested in walled gardens I think the newish one at
Scampston is probably more interesting to visit than Helmsley especially
if you pick a weekend when they are hosting a plant fair.

http://www.scampston.co.uk/gardens.html

They have some very choice stuff on sale and will propagate rare plants
from their garden collection to order if you ask nicely. (for a price)

--
Regards,
Martin Brown