Spinach is a difficult crop for many home gardeners to grow. By the time it’s warm enough to plant it, it’s warm enough for spinach to bolt. Colleen Vanderlinden, our new Organic Gardening Guide, suggests three greens to grow once your spinach gives out. They’re slow to bolt and long to harvest. So if you’re looking at that blank spot in the vegetable garden, shift your gaze to 3 Great Spinach Alternatives

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2007) licensed to About.com, Inc..

Abutilon has the unfortunate common name of the ‘Parlor Maple’, making it seem like a stuffy, Victorian conservatory plant. But much like the coleus, Abutilon just needs to be allowed to shine as an unfussy garden plant. The maple-like foliage and color saturated flowers make it a standout in the garden, in warmer zones, and as a container grown shrub or tree, for the rest of us. Abutilon is happy to flower almost continually and can be trained into standards and shapes or allowed to arch and shade an entryway. They’re so easy to grow and so willing to bloom, everyone should grow Abutilon.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2007) licensed to About.com, Inc.