Mon, July 6, 2026 at 9:30 AM UTC A woman cultivating a raised bed herb garden - O2o Creative/Getty Images Rather than the cool green of basil or cilantro, why not add a bit of colorful contrast to your garden? Red orach (Atriplex hortensis var. rubra) has been cultivated for centuries, but remains one of the most overlooked garden plants in the U.S. This is the red variety of orach, a type of plant often used as a substitute for spinach.