Raab and Rapine are different than Broccolini for sure. First it will always be impossible to obtain seeds under the name Broccolini. However, seeds might be obtained under the name aparations. Next it is obvious that sort of anyone can make the hybrid but all hybrids will be different. There is good reason to expect that a similar hybrid to Asparations might be better than asparations or broccolini. After all why should the first hybrid always be the best. with more work a better one can be found. Sakata Seed has put a lot of work into Asparations and Broccolini. I would expect them to continue their work and come out with a better hybrid. Since some of these hybrids are from Sakata that looks like an excellent place to start looking. I am shocked that no one has telephoned Sakata Seed in california and talked to a salesman. Get the story from the boss. Call Sakata and find out some facts and stop speculating. Lastly I like the research done by Johnny's for northern growers. I would be comfortable growing out either the seeds from Osborne or from Johnnys. I like Osborne. they are a good company. Only $5 for seeds and I am pretty sure their shipping costs are very low.

For those unfamiliar with the loose stalk type hybrids, they are tender stemmed and all parts are edible...leaves, stalks, flowers, florets. As tender as asparagus stalks. Yet, like asparagus they can get woody if growing conditions are unfavorable. Too hot too fast for example. I already have a shade cloth up as mine loves the early spring but we had a few very hot days last week. My bok choy will bolt overnight like last year no doubt. For gardeners they are good early cool spring crops with such a long harvest time. No need to wait for a full traditional head. Harvest all the side shoots as the main stalk grows. The central stalks head will be small but once harvested you will hopefully, and should, get another round of side shoots. Also a good Fall crop. Here is the BakersCreek broccoli page, Link, HERE I might try the purple sprouting this Fall. With a cold frame like Annie's, I should have a nice next holiday harvest if our Fall is anything like last year.

I've got a handful of types of campanula; these are all new to me, having just gotten in to the genus: * C. carpatica "Blue Clips": Nice enough but really low so can't see much of the flowers. Still worth having around, though, since it seems to be staying pretty tidy. If peters out, probably won't replace -- other shorter plants I prefer. * C. glomerata "Genti Blue": Gorgeous rich blue blooms, very floriferous - simply fabulous while in bloom! Screwed up and planted in the rear of the border because I thought they would be taller, but they only got around 12-15" or so, so will be re-locating them to front of the border in the fall in a spot where I will be sure to see them out the window. * C. persicifolia (aka peachleaf bellflower), no-name: Meh. Didn't really impress me but I probably need to give it more time, I just planted them in the spring. Couldn't really see the flowers very well and foliage is nothing to write home about. * C. lactiflora "Pritchard's Variety": Wanted it for the tall billows of blooms. Got a few blooms but too young/small to be billowy. Flowers are kind of washed out, but here again I need to give it more time, will hopefully be impressive when mature. * "Kent Belle": Love it! Rich nodding blooms, lush healthy foliage on medium height plant, bonus points for second smaller flush of bloom post deadheading. Looking forward to plant being large enough to take divisions. I have pretty good soil as a whole, very well-draining but not sandy. All of the above are in full to part sun and are growing well. Can't comment on how they would do in clay -- that is a problem I'm very fortunately not battling here.

Unfortunately, @floraluk2, the sun in this area isn't dependable. It LOOKS like it gets a lot of sun, but I've planted part sun plants that aren't doing so great. Alyssum looks like a good choice, it looks like it's good with anywhere from part shade to full sun. I found this variety that's supposed to stay pretty short, too, so I went ahead and ordered it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VTVJKI/ Can I sow it on raw ground and then cover it with a thin layer of bagged mulch, or would that kill it? Since this is the entrance to my property, I'd like for it to be at least kinda pretty :-)