2016 list

Updated 14 October 2015

All packets are $4.00, packet size is at least 50 seeds, unless otherwise specified. Ordering information is on the home page at How to Order. Zones included at the end of the description correspond to climatic zones used by the USDA and the RHS Index of Garden Plants. CN at the end of the entry denotes plants native to California.


Abutilon palmeri - Malvaceae, S. California, Arizona, Mexico. Bright apricot cup-shaped flowers are held on long wands over soft gray green leaves on this subshrub. From desert habitats, but not difficult to grow. Z9? CN

Achyrachaena mollis - Asteraceae, California, Oregon. photo Blow Wives. The very subtle flowers of this composite open golden yellow, then turn to red as they mature. The prominent spherical 1.5" clusters of shining silvery white bracts are held for quite a while when this annual is in seed. A grassland inhabitant. 

Agoseris grandiflora - Asteraceae, California. Just a dandelion, but with truly grand fluffy seedheads over 2" wide. Lemon yellow flowers over deeply lobed leaves on a basal rosette. Perennial. Should be very tough. To 12" tall. CN
Allium falcifolium - Alliaceae, California. photo Low very ornamental onion with gray-green falcate leaves and round heads of vivid rose purple flowers in spring. 30 seeds Z8 CN

Allium unifolium Alliaceae, California. Heads of bright pink flowers on 12-18" stems show up well in spring.  CN

Amsinckia vernicosa var. furcata 'Griswold Hills' - Boraginaceae, California. photo Very pretty pale yellow flowered form of the large flowered annual golden orange fiddleneck. Flowers are sweetly fragrant. Original seed from Bart O'Brien            CN

Anigozanthos flavidus - Haemodoraceae, Australia. Erect iris-like clumps of leaves to 30"; dark stems to 5'+ bear fuzzy burnt orange flowers on this selection of kangaroo paw. Seedlings may be variable, but there are no other colors nearby. Z9

Asclepias speciosa - Asclepiadaceae, Western N. America. photo  Wide gray to gray-green leaves on stems to 4' and large rounded heads of pinkish white flowers. Spreads at the root. This great perennial is slow to develop in its first year, and broadcast sowing is not recommended. Larval food for monarch butterflies.   Z2  CN       50 seeds

Brodiaea californica- Themidaceae, n. California. photo Native bulb makes strong stems to 18"+ with upfacing umbels of dark lavender purple flowers in late spring and early summer. 30 seeds Z8 CN

Brodiaea jolonensis Themidaceae, California. photo Loose clusters of small, upfacing violet trumpets in spring almost seem to float over the dry lean soils these corms inhabit in California's foothill woodlands.               30 seeds             CN


Carpenteria californica – Hydrangeaceae, California. Clusters of large white showy fls. are displayed in spring over shiny green leaves on this attractive shrub. Dust-like seed to young seedling stage needs very close attention. Z8 100+ seed CN

Caulanthus anceps (Guillenia lemmonii) - Brassicaceae, California. photo Individual flowers are round and pinkish white, set along long, wand like gray stems. Fairly subtle on its own, but sparkling in combination with other fls, or in a mass.  CN

Caulanthus flavescens (Guillenia f.) - Brassicaceae, California. photo Erect thin spikes carry masses of bright, creamy yellow fls in spring and early summer on this slender annual. Very showy when grown in a small colony. Stems to 18-24".         CN

Caulanthus inflatus - Brassicaceae, California. photo Spectacular annual with striking inflated yellow stems; terminal tip and buds are dark purple. Small petals are bicolored purple and white and stigmas are pink. Needs excellent drainage, and grows well in containers. Can grow to 2'. There is nothing quite like this plant, commonly known as desert candle, when it blooms. CN
Centaurium (Zeltnera) muehlenbergii – Gentianaceae, California.photo Slender annual carries heads of silky clear pink flowers in spring. Beautiful in a mass, or a meadow. 200+ seed CN
Cerinthe major var. purpurascens – Boraginaceae, Mediterranean. Wide bluish leaves on upright stems produce pendant flower clusters. Flowers are dark purple, with prominent steely blue purple bracts. Annual, reseeds readily. 30 seeds
Chaenactis artemisiifolia – Asteraceae, California. photo Ferny, finely dissected gray leaves are set against well branched purplish stems that can reach 5’ in a season; dense white heads of “pincushion” flowers are abundant. Annual. CN
Chorizanthe douglasii – Polygonaceae, central California. photo Heads of hot pink flowers on slender stems are held over low leaves in late spring on this buckwheat relative. Best in lean soils, found in grassland or open woodland. Annual. CN
Chorizanthe membranacea - Polygonaceae, California. photo In natural settings, this annual is quite understated, with half-inch round heads of pinkish white flowers on erect stems. Planted closer together or in containers, it can present an impressive display of densely interlaced stems carrying white round flower heads in late spring and summer. CN

Chorizanthe stacticoides- Polygonaceae, California. Turkish rugging. Abundant on dry slopes, this annual puts on its show in late spring or early summer. Branched stems make broad heads of bright purplish magenta, prickly flowers. CN

Cirsium occidentale – Asteraceae, California. photo Coastal thistle makes rounded gray mounds to 2-3’; densely cobwebby heads open with red flowers. Literature calls it biennial, but it acts annual. 30 seeds CN

Clarkias are beautiful hardy annuals; they have been hybridized and bred for larger and more double flowers, but some of the species and varieties are the best. These species have been separated in the garden by space and time of bloom, so seed should be true to name. Packets contain 100+ seeds.
Clarkia amoena ssp. whitneyi - Onagraceae, Humboldt, Mendocino Co.,Calif. photo Very large light lavender pink fls. have whitish areas at the bases of the petals. Probably the largest clarkia in size--to 3'--of plant and of flower--to 3"+across. CN

Clarkia modesta California. photo Delicate clarkia sets smallish pale pink flowers against red stems and green leaves and is covered with flowers in late spring and early summer. Prefers shady places in woodland settings. CN

Clarkia purpurea ssp. purpurea - Onagraceae, Santa Cruz Co., California. photoThis form of the species is very distinctive, with very dense heads of fair sized dark lavender flowers set against blue-green leaves. Upright to 18". CN
Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera – Onagraceae, California. photoThe usual shiny deep reddish purple fls. have an unusual white center. Stems can reach 3-5’ in a garden setting and carry many flowers. CN

Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera –white flower- Onagraceae, California. photo Erect willowy annual displays small white flowers along the stems in spring. From a white flowering population in Monterey County. Grows 3-5’ in garden setting.             CN

Clarkia rubicunda - Onagraceae, California. photo Large lavender pink flowers have red centers on this showy annual. Floriferous and very striking in containers or the garden. Good cut flower. Can grow to 2'+, blooms for months. CN

Clarkia speciosa ssp. immaculata - Onagraceae, California. photo Silky mauve purple flowers with striking white centers are 1.5" across in this subspecies. CN Can only be sold within California
Clarkia tenella- maroon fl. – Onagraceae, South America. photo Most likely a subspecies of tenella. Small, bright maroon flowers are abundant on low, spreading plants. Long bloom.
Clarkia unguiculata - compact form - Onagraceae, California. photo From a colony found in Santa Cruz County, this very distinctive seed strain makes stocky columnar plants to 18". Bright mauve-red flowers and leaves are densely held. CN
Clarkia williamsonii - Onagraceae, California. photo Gaudy lavender pink flowers are good sized, with a broad white central zone, and wedge shaped patches of dark red violet on the petals. Best results with good drainage. CN

Claytonia parviflora – Montiaceae, California and the west. photo Diminutive form of miner’s lettuce forms tight mounds with white flowers nestled in the typical cupped leaves. Whole plant turns peachy gray as it matures. Buns to 8”. CN
Collinsia heterophylla—Sierra form - Plantaginaceae, California. photo Plants from the Sierras of this species have dark purple flowers, with light central patch and red lines in the usual places. Striking annual for part shade. CN
Collinsia parviflora - Plantaginaceae, California.photo Roundish bright dark green leaves are densely held on short stems. Vivid small violet blue flowers nestled in leaf axils are very well displayed. Great annual for small scale or containers. CN
Collinsia tinctoria - Plantaginaceae, California. photo Annual grows 2’ high. Abundant flowers in tiers are creamy white, with purple lines that seem almost painted on. Easy to grow. CN
Collomia grandiflora - Polemoniaceae, W. United States. photo Erect annual to 3' with shiny green leaves and very broad dense terminal heads of beige to salmon pink starry flowers. A very unusual color in flowers. CN

Coreopsis (Leptosyne) calliopsidea Asteraceae, California. photo Sheets of these vivid golden yellow daisies brighten interior valleys when conditions are favorable in spring. This easy annual can have individual flowers up to an inch across.     CN

Cypella coelestis - Iridaceae, Mexico. photo Upright pleated leaves form clumps; these produce open, Tigridia-like flowers in succession for many months in summer. Flowers are pale blue with yellow markings. Forms bulbs, deciduous. Z9
Cypella peruviana – Iridaceae, Peru, Bolivia. Glowing 3” golden orange Tigridia like flowers with dark central markings appear in waves through late summer and fall. Stems to 2’. Flowers fade by mid-day, but the show is worth it. Z9