Red-veined dock (Rumex sanguineus)

Also called blood sorrel and bloody dock, Rumex sanguineus is a tap-rooted, low-growing perennial with unique foliage that makes it an attractive border plant as well as a vegetable. Plants form clumps of spinach-like leaves, green with a deep beet-red pattern of veins. Young leaves are best to eat as older leaves have a bitter taste. Can be cooked, but best raw in salads.
 
Red-veined dock is is unfussy about soil or situation, through it prefers sun or part shade. It is hardy to -20°C. Plants benefit from clipping back hard after blooming, to rejuvenate the foliage. Clumps can be easily divided in 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.