Barbarea vulgaris. A new 100% variegated introduction. Winter cress is very popular as a salad ingredient with a taste and look reminiscent of watercress. Harvest virtually all the year round, if covered with cloches during severe winter weather.

Flavour guide: Crisp and tangy; alternative to watercress.

Sow March to August outdoors, or anytime under glass. Seed is very small, so sow thinly about 6mm (½in) deep in drills about 25cm (10in) apart. Alternatively sow indoors in pots or trays, on the surface of a good, moist, seed compost and cover with a sprinkling of vermiculite or compost. Keep at a temperature about 15C (60F) until after germination which takes about 14 days.

Thin out to 15cm (6in) between plants. If sown under glass, transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into individual 5cm (2in) pots and grow on steadily. Plant out when soil conditions are favourable. Prefers moist soil in a semi shaded situation.

Keep well watered during dry weather to reduce bolting and to maintain leaf quality.

Eyecatching colour to add to a mixed salad.