(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...

(Celery Cabbage, Napa Cabbage)

Bearing dark to pale green leaves with prominent white midveins, brassicas in the Pekinensis group include the vegetables Napa cabbage, bok choy and celery cabbage. It is one of several groups in Brassica rapa, which is Eurasian in origin but now cultivated worldwide. Pekinensis types are thin-leaved with a sweet, mildly tangy flavor. Habits vary and may be barrel-shaped with crinkled foliage or cylindrical with smooth leaves.

These mustard-like annual or biennial, cool-season plants...

(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...

(Greater Quaking Grass)

The genus Briza comprises around 22 accepted species of annual or perennial grasses. They are commonly called quaking grasses because their pendulous, papery seedheads are produced on upright stems that quake in the wind. Most species are Eurasian, with a few New World species existing in South America. (Some taxonomists believe South American species should be reclassified under the three separate genera, Calotheca, Chascolytrum and Poidium.) Many cultivated Briza...

(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...

(California Brodiaea)

The largest and arguably most beautiful brodiaea, this "bulb" from the foothills and coastal ranges of California blooms in a starburst of flowers reminiscent of a small Agapanthus. The clusters of up to 12 upfacing funnel-shaped flowers perch atop wiry knee-high stems in late spring and early summer. The purple, lavender, pinkish, or white flowers have dark longitudinal midstripes. Long grassy leaves precede the flowers, withering before or as the flowers open. Like all other of its genus,...

(Siberian Bugloss)

Popular and easy-to-grow, Siberian bugloss is an early blooming, clump-forming perennial that's ideal for the shade garden. This native of Eastern Europe is grown for its attractive foliage and flowers. In late spring to early summer it bears delicate clouds of tiny bright blue flowers with yellow-centers. These rise above large, soft, heart-shaped leaves of dark green. Several variegated cultivars are well worth trying, such as the silvery ‘Jack Frost’ and ‘Looking Glass.’

Siberian bugloss prefers...

(Siberian Bugloss)

Popular and easy-to-grow, Siberian bugloss is an early blooming, clump-forming perennial that's ideal for the shade garden. This native of Eastern Europe is grown for its attractive foliage and flowers. In late spring to early summer it bears delicate clouds of tiny bright blue flowers with yellow-centers. These rise above large, soft, heart-shaped leaves of dark green. Several variegated cultivars are well worth trying, such as the silvery ‘Jack Frost’ and ‘Looking Glass.’

Siberian bugloss prefers...

(Jack Frost Bugloss, Siberian Bugloss)

Popular and easy-to-grow, Siberian bugloss is an early blooming, clump-forming perennial that's ideal for the shade garden. The cultivar ‘Jack Frost’ is a beautifully variegated selection. Its heart-shaped leaves have a silvery white sheen and distinctly dark green veins. In late spring to early summer it bears delicate clouds of tiny bright blue flowers with yellow-centers, which rise above its foliage.

Siberian bugloss prefers partial sun to shade and rich, well drained loam. Its hairy leaves...