Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
Vegetable Plants & Seedlings
Browse Plants
All-Purpose Compost & Soil Improvers
View Compost
Plant Feed & Fertiliser for Strong Growth
Shop Fertiliser
? Bath Asparagus: The Forgotten Delicacy of British Hedgerows
?? Introduction: What Is Bath Asparagus?
Bath asparagus (botanical name: Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) is a rare, wild plant once prized in the UK for its tender shoots, similar in flavour and appearance to traditional asparagus. Historically foraged in Somerset’s woodlands and around Bath, this long-overlooked vegetable is making a quiet comeback among foodies and foragers.
? What Does Bath Asparagus Look Like?
- Young shoots: Slender and green, resembling thin asparagus tips.
- Mature plant: Produces star-shaped, greenish-white flowers on tall stems.
- Leaves: Narrow, grass-like, and grow in clumps from the base.
It is not a true asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), but gets the name due to its culinary similarity.
? Historical Significance
- Once foraged and eaten in Georgian Britain, particularly in Bath and surrounding countryside.
- Records show it was sold in Bath markets as a delicacy from the 17th to 19th centuries.
- Known locally as “Spiked Star of Bethlehem” due to its flower shape.
? Growing Bath Asparagus
Though once wild, Bath asparagus can be grown in UK gardens:
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Soil: Well-drained, loamy
- Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
- Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK (down to –15°C)
Planting Tips:
- Grow from seed or bulb in autumn or early spring
- Allow 2–3 years to establish before harvesting young shoots
?️ How to Cook & Eat Bath Asparagus
Only the young shoots (harvested in spring) are edible. These are cooked just like regular asparagus.
Popular Prep Ideas:
- Boiled or steamed with butter and sea salt
- Tossed in olive oil and grilled for salads
- Sautéed with garlic and added to pasta or risotto
- Served with poached eggs or hollandaise
It has a mild, earthy flavour, more subtle than commercial asparagus.
? Foraging Tips (UK Law & Safety)
- Where to find: Woodlands, hedgerows, and meadows in southwest England—especially near Bath.
- When to forage: Early to mid-spring (March–May), before the flower spikes emerge.
- Important: Only forage sustainably and with landowner permission. Never dig up bulbs in the wild.
Always triple-check identification—Bath asparagus can resemble inedible plants.
? Botanical Facts
- Scientific name: Ornithogalum pyrenaicum
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Flowering time: June–August
- Other names: Spiked Star of Bethlehem, Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem
? FAQs
1. Is Bath asparagus the same as regular asparagus?
No. While similar in taste and use, they belong to different plant families.
2. Can I grow it at home?
Yes! It grows well in UK gardens if planted from bulb or seed in the right soil.
3. Is it still found in the wild?
Rare, but still present in parts of Somerset and surrounding counties.
4. Is it safe to eat?
Only the young green shoots are edible. Do not eat mature leaves or flowers.
5. Why did it fall out of fashion?
Urbanisation and farming reduced wild habitats, and imported asparagus became cheaper and more widely available.
? Conclusion
Bath asparagus is a forgotten gem of British wild food heritage—easy to grow, simple to cook, and rich in history. Whether you’re a gardener, forager, or food lover, it offers a unique taste of the past and a sustainable addition to your seasonal cooking.