(Turnip)

The delicious, sweet, mild turnips of 'Hakurei' are small, pure white and round but slightly flattened. Japanese in origin, this cultivar is very fast-growing, being ready to harvest as early as 35 to 38 days from sowing. This is a turnip for non-turnip lovers to try because its roots are so mild and sweet. The dark green tops also taste delicious cooked or eaten raw in salads.

Some classify turnips in the Rapifera group. Turnip varieties come in many shapes and sizes. The larger the root,...

(Pac Choi)

A compact pak choi with broad leaves and fleshy pale green leaf stalks, 'Mei Qing Choi' is also known for its relative heat tolerance. It is one of numerous greens belonging to Brassica rapa, which is believed to have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide.

This annual or biennial, cool-season plant forms loose rosettes of upright, broad, mid-green leaves with greenish-white stalks and midribs. The thick stalk bases form an almost...

(Purple Top White Globe Turnip, Turnip)

An heirloom turnip that remains highly popular, ‘Purple Top White Globe’ is grown for its tender young greens and its tasty bulbous root. This annual or biennial is one of numerous leafy vegetables belonging to Brassica rapa, which may have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide. The white, purple-capped turnips of this variety mature about 50 days after sowing. They grow to tennis ball size but are best when young and tender. The lobed...

(Tokyo Cross Turnip, Turnip)

Winner of the All America Award, 'Tokyo Cross' is grown for its tender young greens and its tasty bulbous root. This annual or biennial is one of numerous leafy vegetables belonging to Brassica rapa, which may have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide. The pure creamy white turnips of this variety are ready for harvest about 35 days after sowing. They grow to grapefruit size but are best when young and tender. The lobed leaves are good...

(Turnip)

Producing turnips of a purer white than those of other varieties, 'White Lady' is grown for its tender young greens and its tasty bulbous root. This annual or biennial is one of numerous leafy vegetables belonging to Brassica rapa, which may have originated in central and southern Europe but is now cultivated and naturalized worldwide. The snowy turnips of this variety are ready for harvest about 40 days after sowing. They grow to handball size but are best when young and tender. The large...

(Bok Choy, Chinese Cabbage, Choy Sum, Pak Choi)

Characterized by chard-like clusters of leaves with thick, white to pale green leaf stalks, the Chinensis group of brassicas includes pak choi, bok choy and Chinese and Japanese cabbage. It is one of several groups within Brassica rapa, which is Eurasian in origin but is now cultivated worldwide. All in the Chinensis group were selected from different regions of Asia and many cultivars exist.

These annual or biennial, cool season plants form loose rosettes of upright green leaves...

(Tat Soi, Tatsoi)

The Narinosa group of Brassica rapa is commonly referred to as tatsoi (tat soi), also known as flat pac choy. This delicious leafy vegetable forms compact, flat clusters of spoon-shaped leaves with thick leaf stalks. It matures quickly, 21 days for baby greens and 45 days for full heads, and has a fresh, crisp flavor and texture. It is one of several Brassica rapa types which are Eurasian in origin but now cultivated worldwide.

This cool-season, biennial vegetable forms tight...

(Kabuna, Mizuna, Spinach Mustard, Tendergreen)

A fast-growing annual or biennial grown as a vegetable leaf crop, mizuna tastes like sweet lettuce with peppery zest. The Japanese word "mizuna" translates to "water vegetable", referring to the juicy stalks. Young, smaller leaves are typically harvested and added to mesclun salad mixes, while larger slightly stronger-flavored foliage is used in cooked dishes. Some botanists suspect the subspecies nipposinica is European but it has naturalized across eastern Asia where it is most associated...

(Perennial Quaking Grass)

Common quaking grass is a perennial, tufted grass grown mostly for its interesting seed pods. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized in the cooler regions of North America. The leaves are linear, narrow, flat, upright and green to blue-green in color. Common quaking grass spreads slowly by rhizome (underground stem). Flowers are small and green held in lacy branched heads on stiff, leafless stalks well above the foliage, doubling the size of the plant. They appear later spring into summer. The fruit...

(Amethyst Flower)

Amethyst flower is a dense tender perennial from tropical South America that is commonly grown as an annual. Its light green leaves are a nice contrast to the numerous and pretty star-shaped, purple-blue flowers with tiny white centers.

Amethyst flower grows easily from seed in diffused sun and fertile, moist soil. It would benefit being shaded from the hottest summer afternoon sun in the warmest climates. Overall, it is a reliable bedding plant that can be enjoyed indoors in the winter as well....