Perennial Broccoli Raab

Bunias orientalis - Turkish Rocket

Since I’m quite fond of broccoli, finding a perennial brassica that would grow in this location (see About) was high on my list. Turkish rocket fills the bill perfectly. The stalk grows about two feet tall, producing small florets that look much like broccoli, which blossom into many small four-petaled yellow flowers. Extremely hardy (possibly down to Zone 3), seriously drought tolerant due to its deep tap root (down to 15’), early spring and fall harvests of tender leaves and especially the tender flower shoots which step in for brocolli raab/rabe or just call it “rapini.”