Old Italian heirloom; also known as 'Italian Silver Rib'.  Excellent flavour.  Attractive, vigorous plant with wide, white stems & crinkled dark green leaves.  Tolerates wide range of conditions.  50-60 days.  320 seeds

HISTORY:  Silverbeet had its beginnings as a beetroot.  While beetroot has been cultivated for its roots since the time of the early Greeks & Romans, it was with its arrival into Northern Europe that selection began for its greens rather than its roots.  This then developed into the Swiss Chard or Silverbeet that we have today.

Heirloom.  Dark green leaves with bright yellow stems & veins.  Harvest as baby leaf for attractive addition to salads.  Attractive in the garden.  Use in salads & cooked dishes.  50-65 days.  220 seeds

Heirloom dating back to 1750.  Also known as 'Burpees Large Ribbed'.  Large, light to deep green, crinkled leaves to 25cm across, with thick, white to pale green stalks.  Heavy yielding.  Popular variety.  Will continue to produce into cooler weather.  Prolific.  Vigorous variety able to tolerate extreme hot & cold weather.  50-65 days.  280 seeds

Heirloom.  Named after Lucius Lucullus, a Roman general who was reputed to hold extravagant banquets for his friends.  Light green leaves with thin, white stem.  High yields.  Keep well watered to discourage bolting.  50-65 days.  380 seeds

New Zealand heirloom, first introduced in 1849.  Large, dark green, crumpled leaves; stems of white, yellow, orange & red to 35cm length.  Attractive in the garden.  Stems blanch to white when cooked thoroughly, but will hold their colour when cooked lightly.  50-60 days.  150 seeds

Heirloom dating back to 1857. Large, ruffled green leaves with crimson red stalks & veins; leaves to 50cm high. Attractive in the garden. Tolerates light frost & is resistant to summer heat. Harvest leaves from outside edge as required. 50-60 days.  250 seeds

Heirloom dating back to 1597.  Large, dark green leaves, with bright red stem.  Attractive in the garden.  Tolerates light frost.  Roots also edible, being quite sweet & ideal for pickling.  50-60 days.  180 seeds