Hoping to send some purple sprouting broccoli seeds to a gardening friend in North Central Texas.

Has anyone grown this variety in Texas and if so, when have you been able to get a crop? Does it need protection in zone 8? It is supposed to be hardier than other varieties of broccoli.

I've grown it in zone 7A before in a cold frame (seeds started in early fall) but was wondering how it did in the more mild Texas winters. I liked it because it gets hot early here in NC and other broccoli varieties go to seed too fast.

Thanks!