Plant of the Week - Episode 508

Common Name: 
Red Malabar Spinach

Scientific Name:
Basella alba 'Rubra'

Size: 
10-12 ft.

Flowers:           
Spikes of small flowers

Foliage: 
Huge green leaves with a burgundy tinge underneath;
burgundy stems

Fruit:
small deep purple to black fruit;
can harvest seeds from the fruit and replant next season             

Culture:
Full sun; well-drained soil

Other: 
Not a true spinach, but the leaves are edible

T-Shirt Winner:
Susan Rollins, Fairview Garden Center