12 Varieties of Chard for Every Garden
Growing different types of chard in the garden can introduce unique textures, colors, and flavors to homegrown produce. This hardy vegetable thrives in various climates, making it ideal for gardeners seeking both beauty and utility.
Each variety has unique leaf shapes and colors, adding visual interest while providing nutrition. Known for resilience, chard is easy to cultivate and continues to grow throughout the season.
Versatile and nutrient-dense, it brings both aesthetics and health benefits to garden spaces. Here are 12 types of chard veggies to consider adding to your garden:
Oriole
The oriole variety of plant draws inspiration from the vibrant bird it’s named after.
This stunning open-pollinated organic option reaches maturity in roughly two months.
You will appreciate its striking golden-yellow stems that beautifully contrast with rich, deep green foliage.
Its visual appeal adds a touch of nature to your garden while being easy to grow and maintain.
Peppermint
Peppermint chard surprises with its striking appearance rather than a minty flavor.
Featuring vibrant stems adorned in candy-cane stripes, it pairs beautifully with lush green foliage.
Gardeners appreciate this variety for its exceptional resistance to bolting and diseases, ensuring reliable growth throughout the season.
The pink and white patterns add a touch of whimsy to any garden space, making it visually appealing while remaining low-maintenance.
Lucullus
Lucullus thrives in warm temperatures and continues to flourish until the initial frosts arrive. Characterized by its abundant harvest, this variety features prominently crumpled leaves that are both thick and light green.
The crispness of the broad white ribs adds an enjoyable crunch, making it a delightful choice for salads or garnishes. Cultivating Lucullus can significantly enhance your garden's productivity during warmer months while offering fresh flavors right up until colder weather sets in.
This leafy vegetable stands out with its impressive yield and vibrant texture throughout the growing season.
Red Magic
Red Magic represents a dynamic and rapid-growing variety that thrives under ample sunlight. With a maturity period ranging from 55 to 65 days, this type ensures impressive growth in your garden or farm.
Its vigorous nature makes it an appealing choice for those looking to achieve quick results. If you're aiming for productivity, Red Magic delivers on both speed and vitality, making it a standout option among fast-maturing plants.
You’ll appreciate how efficiently it grows while basking in the sun's rays.
Rainbow Sprinkles
Rainbow sprinkles inject vibrant hues into your meals in a mere 16 to 25 days.
These greens are not just visually appealing; they pack a nutritional punch that enhances various dishes, including salads and slaws.
Their tender texture makes them an excellent garnish as well.
Imagine the burst of color and flavor you can bring to your table with these delightful additions.
Charbell
Charbell captivates with its stunning, upright leaves that are ideal for harvesting baby greens. The plant boasts a rich savoy texture complemented by striking fuchsia stems and veins, adding both vibrancy and elegance to any dish.
Its clean foliage not only enhances visual appeal but also promises freshness in every bite. This unique combination of color and form makes Charbell an excellent choice for those seeking to elevate their culinary creations.
You can incorporate it into salads or as a garnish for various dishes, ensuring your meals look as good as they taste.
Fordhook Giant
Fordhook Giant is a remarkable variety known for its impressive yield throughout the growing season.
Thriving in full sunlight or partial shade, it produces lush, dark green leaves that exhibit a thick and crinkly texture.
This leafy vegetable not only adds visual appeal to your garden but also offers exceptional versatility in culinary uses.
Perpetual Spinach
Perpetual spinach stands out as a remarkable leafy green, resembling its spinach relative in taste and appearance. Its flatter, pointed leaves offer a unique texture that enhances various dishes.
With slimmer stems, this vegetable becomes an appealing choice for those seeking low-maintenance gardening options. Cultivating it is effortless, making it ideal for any gardener wanting to enjoy fresh greens without the hassle typically associated with traditional spinach plants.
Opting for perpetual spinach not only enriches your meals but also adds variety to your garden with minimal effort required on your part.
Rhubarb Supreme
Rhubarb Supreme stands out with its striking red stems and uniquely crinkled leaves, making it a visually appealing choice for your garden. This variety matures in roughly two months but allows you to pick smaller leaves earlier if desired.
Its robust growth adds color and texture, enhancing any outdoor space. The crispness of the stalks is perfect for various culinary uses, from desserts to savory dishes.
You’ll appreciate how quickly this plant can thrive while providing fresh produce right at your fingertips.
Pink Lipstick
Pink lipstick is a striking variety that commands attention in any garden. With an open-pollinated nature, it thrives beautifully and can be harvested within a short span of 30 to 60 days.
This vibrant plant not only adds color but also brings life to your outdoor space. You’ll appreciate how quickly it grows, making it perfect for those eager to enjoy their blooms sooner rather than later.
The allure of pink lipstick lies in its ability to brighten up landscapes effortlessly, inviting admiration from all who pass by.
Bright Lights
Bright lights represent a stunning mix of chard stems showcasing shades from deep burgundy to bright fuchsia, complemented by golden yellow and whitish-green hues. This remarkable variety reaches maturity in just over two months, specifically between 55 and 60 days.
You’ll find that it not only adds visual appeal to your garden but also enhances the flavor profile of various dishes. Its vibrant colors make it a fantastic choice for those looking to add some flair to their meals or gardens.
I appreciate how this blend can brighten up any space while providing nutritious greens at the same time.
Barese Swiss Chard
Barese Swiss chard offers a delightful addition to your garden with its pale greenish-white stems and dark green, flat leaves. Requiring around 50 days for full maturity, this vegetable thrives in various climates.
Its vibrant colors not only enhance the visual appeal of dishes but also provide essential nutrients. You can enjoy it sautéed or tossed into salads for added texture and flavor.
This versatile plant makes a wonderful choice whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out.