Description

Fresh, peppery, and crisp, Upland Cress (Barbarea verna), also known as Early Winter Cress or American Cress, brings a lively bite reminiscent of watercress to cool-season gardens. Its tender, emerald-green leaves form compact rosettes, each with a sharp, refreshing flavor that enlivens salads, sandwiches, and garnishes alike.

Native to Europe and naturalized across North America, this hardy biennial is often grown as an annual for its lush foliage. It thrives in cool, moist conditions and partial sun, producing leaves that remain mild and tender until warm weather arrives. Plants grow 6–12 inches tall, their neat form and glossy texture making them as ornamental as they are edible.

Historically prized as a spring tonic, Upland Cress was gathered after long winters to restore vigor and vitality. Its high vitamin content and invigorating flavor earned it a place in cottage gardens and kitchen plots for centuries. Resilient, nutrient-rich, and delightfully pungent, it remains a gardener’s secret for cultivating early-season greens full of energy and flavor.