Swiss Chard

Planted at Mount Vernon

Upper Garden

Lower Garden

Pioneer Farm

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

Swiss chard is a leafy green that can be harvested continually to be used in salads or cooked. Its leaves may be plain green or have red midribs.

Latin Name

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

Family

Amaranthaceae

Also Known As

Silver Beet , Perpetual Spinach , Leaf Beet

Type of Plant

Annuals

Vegetables

Seasons

Fall

Spring

Summer

Specifications

Max Height: 2'

Max Spread: 2'

Uses

Vegetable

Ornamental

Edible

Sunlight Exposure

Full Sun

Part Shade

Colors

Native Range

Mediterranean

History

An entry in Thomas Jefferson's diary for April 30, 1774 mentions sowing “white beet,” another named for leaf-beet or Swiss Chard.

Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

Bring Washington's Garden Home

Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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