Buckler sorrel (Rumex scutatus)

A tap-rooted, low-growing perennial with shield-shaped leaves. This is a form of ‘French sorrel’. It is lower-yielding than garden sorrel, but is perhaps the nicest-tasting of all the sorrels and unlike the others, the leaves can be used even when mature. They can be cooked – try them in sorrel soup – or used raw in salads and sauces.  Buckler sorrel makes a fair ground cover plant, growing 30 cm high and self-seeding itself around the garden. It is unfussy about soil or situation, through it prefers sun or part shade; hardy to -20°C. Plants benefit from clipping back hard after blooming, to rejuvenate the foliage. Plants are quite sprawling and stems root where they touch the earth. Rooted divisions can be lifted and transplanted in autumn or early spring.
 
Easily grown from seed. Sow in Spring or in Autumn to overwinter. Sow the tiny seeds 5mm deep in rows or scattered thinly. Once the seedlings have germinated and they are large enough to handle, thin them to 7cm apart. A few weeks later, thin the remaining seedlings again so there is 20cm between each one.
 
Mature plants can be dug up and divided every three years or so. This maintains vigour as well as giving you more plants.