Red Vein Sorrel (Rumex sanguineus)

Red Vein Sorrel plants at the nursery.

One of our best looking herbs at the moment is Red Vein Sorrel or ‘Bloody Sorrel’

At The Herb Patch we grow 3 types of sorrel.  –  Common or Broadleaf, Buckler Leaf and Red Vein.  All have broadly similar uses although there are some slight differences and flavours also differ slightly.

Red Vein Sorrel is an attractive plant with a wide variety of use. These include both  culinary and medicinal and with its striking red veins, is equally at home in the herb border or flower border.  It is rich in vitamins A and C . One of the chief uses of Red Vein is in salads, where its colourful young leaves will brighten up a plain green salad, but it should be used in limited quantities as the flavour may be overpowering.  Older leaves should are best not used in this way. Stronger leaves can be cooked similar to spinach or used in soups or sauces.

Sorrel grows best in a sunny or semi shaded position in a damp soil.  Dry weather will cause the plants to run to seed more quickly.The flower stalks are best removed to encourage fresh leaf production.  Established plants should be divided every couple of years in spring or autumn to rejuvenate congested clumps. Sorrel is at its best during spring and autumn when it flushes and the leaves are young and tender. However   it can  be available all year round

Sorrel has been grown in Europe since before Roman days for treatment of scurvy, as a natural laxative and it contains anti-oxidants which can help fight the signs of aging.

See our Sorrel varieties available now.