Good King Henry
Blitum bonus-henricus
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine
Thomas Mathis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Blitum
- Species:
- Blitum bonus-henricus
- USDA Symbol:
- CHBO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 80 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to nutrient-rich, disturbed soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification for 2-4 weeks.