Rumex acetosa ‘Abundance’

French Sorrel 'Abundance' Polygonaceae

One for the perennial-vegetable department — and one which rather puts ordinary sorrel in its place. ‘Abundance’ produces masses of broad, bright green leaves with the characteristic refreshing sorrel acidity, but with a noticeably milder flavour than the wild form. Better still, it is a remarkably useful cut-and-come-again plant, producing fresh foliage over a long season rather than disappearing into a sulk after the first picking.

‘Abundance’ is one of the old non-flowering sorrel selections, traditionally associated with the so-called French sorrels. The nomenclature is a little untidy, and it is sometimes treated under R. acetosa subsp. ambiguus, although the RHS currently lists the cultivar simply as Rumex acetosa ‘Abundance’ and regards the name as unresolved.

Its modern history is closely tied to the perennial-vegetable movement. Stephen Barstow has grown and promoted these non-flowering sorrels for decades, and ‘Abundance’ remains one of his useful edible selections. It has subsequently travelled through the forest-garden and perennial-vegetable community, including into cultivation at Incredible Vegetables from Barstow’s garden in Norway. 

Grow in sun or light shade in reasonably fertile, moisture-retentive soil and keep picking the young leaves. Excellent in salads, soups, sauces and anywhere else requiring a gentle lemony kick. Hardiness: H6, around -20 to -15°C

This form has never flowered with us.

• Height: 30–40 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm
• Flowering: Normally non-flowering; occasional stems may appear in late spring/early summer