Citrus junos - Yuzus have been cultivated in Japan for thousands of years, and are a fabulous backyard citrus alternative to lemons.

The fruit has a complex flavour profile - with floral notes crossed with hints of grapefruit, mandarin and lemon. It pairs delightfully with seafood, desserts, drinks and salads.

It’s a highly sought-after ingredient in culinary circles but is difficult to find at markets, making it all the more worthwhile to grow at home.

Ziziphus jujuba 'Li' - Native to China, jujube is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees, and is an extremely hardy plant tolerating frost, high heat and drought. Trees have a narrow, upright growth habit with weeping leaves, making them a great edible substitute for an weeping ornamental.

Jujubes fruit in autumn, with bite-sized apple-like fruits. These can be harvested fresh or dried. When fresh, they are crisp and taste like an apple. When dried, they’re deep red, sweet and chewy.

Citrus japonica 'Meiwa' - Cumquats are a naturally small tree that will happily live in a pot for its entire life. Its glossy green leaves give it year-round ornamental character, and in summer, it boasts small, white fragrant flowers that give off a sweet citrus scent every time you walk past.

The fruits look like mini mandarins, but are eaten whole - the skin imparts sweetness which pairs with the tangy, tart flesh for a perfect balance of flavours.

Murraya koenigii - A fragrant herb with ornamental, draping leaves. Grows year round in a sheltered, protected area. Popular in Indian cuisine. Harvest regularly to keep it compact and bushy.

Perilla frutescens var. crispa - An ornamental, edible herb often used to make a popular summer drink, or to add colour to umeboshi (pickled plums, popular in Japan).

Capsicum frutescens - Chillies are compact plants that’ll add colour to the garden and plate. Surplus harvests can be dehydrated and turned into chilli oil.

Amaranthus 'tricolor' - A tasty, summer Asian veggie favourite. Amaranth greens are a reliable staple in the garden, providing continual harvest right through the season.

Solanum molongena - A heat loving fruiting veg with big ornamental factor. Eggplants have delightful leaves and come in a range of different colours. From lilac to deep purple, to striped and white.

Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis - Why grow ‘regular’ green bok choy when you can grow purple bok choy! One of the joys of home gardening is trying out varieties not available in the supermarket.

Ocimum basilicum var. Thyrsiflora - An ornamental basil, with purple stems and flowers. Thai basil adds a delightful, aniseed punch to dishes, and can even be grown as a perennial in the right climate.

Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis - Dwarf beans a multifunctional plant, providing a harvest and nitrogen fixing abilities in one. Chop and drop at the end of the season to return additional organic matter to the soil.

Basella alba 'rubra' - A coloured form of malabar spinach with multiple uses. The young leaves and growing tips are a summer spinach alternative, while the little pink berries can be used as a natural food dye.

Allium tuberosum - a perennial native to China with leaves that impart a garlicky flavour. Garlic chives are commonly used in dumpling fillings or stir fried with eggs.

Artemisia verlotiorum - mugwort is a key medicinal plant and can be easily pruned to a small bush or hedge.

Its leaves are said to be a natural de-wormer for backyard chickens.

Ocimum tenuiflorum - Native to India and parts of SE Asia, and used medicinally or considered a sacred plant in Hinduism.

Brassica rapa var. nipponsinica - a fast growing leafy green with a mild rocket flavour. Used in salads or stir fries. A Japanese favourite.

Brassica juncea - as the warm season comes to an end, Asian greens like this one can be planted in place to take over as summer crops die down.

Chrysanthemum indicum - Dried to make a popular Chinese tea. Grow these in the patch for beautiful autumnal flowers for your insect friends too.

Callistephus chinensis - A colourful annual flower native to China and Korea, used as both a cutting flower or garnish.

Dianthus chinensis - Native to northern China, Korea, Mongolia and SE Russia. A herbaceous perennial with abundant, edible flowers with a spicy, floral flavour.

Viola tricolor - Pansies have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat skin conditions, and respiratory treatments. These edible flowers also double as a garnish in salads and desserts.

Celosia argentea - Native to tropical parts of Asia and Africa. An edible plant with nutrient dense leaves. Also doubles as a beautiful cut flower.

Ipomoea batatas - A hidden gem of a summer leafy green, popular across many Asian cuisines for their mild, nutrient-dense leaves. Different varieties have different shaped and coloured leave.

Mentha haplocalyx - A medicinal herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat sore throats, headaches and more.