Perennial vegetables

(Question)

Hi,

What are some of the perennials vegetables that we can grow in Toronto? Preferably non-root vegy types, like rhubarb and asparagus.

My site is part shade.

Thanks!
Trung

(Answer)

Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners. These are some interesting non-root perennial vegetables for your consideration for your part shade garden in Toronto :

Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) : Shoots, leaves and young flowers are edible. One of the first greens to appear in the spring. More info here

Hosta montana (Hosta montana) : Shoots and leaves (especially small new leaves) are edible. More info here

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) : Leaves are edible. More info here

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) : It is the stems that are usually eaten. More info here

Ramps (Allium tricoccum) : Leaves, stems and bulbs are edible. More info in the second link at the bottom of this response.

Bunching onions (Allium fistulosum) : Leaves and bulbs are edible. More info in the second link at the bottom of this response.

Ostrich fern fiddleheads (Matteuccia struthiopteris) : Shoots are edible. More info here

Further reading :

Perennial Vegetables – Savvy Gardening

Perennial Vegetables for Colder Climates – Garden Fundamentals