2008 list Updated 13 March 2008

All packets are $3.50, packet size is at least 50 seeds, unless otherwise specified. Zones included at the end of the description correspond to climatic zones used by the USDA and the RHS Index of Garden Plants.

Abelmoschus manihot - Malvaceae, S.E. Asia. Dark green palmate leaves on erect stalks bear very large soft creamy yellow hibiscus flowers in summer and fall. Prospers in heat, but blooms well in my coastal garden. Z9

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?

Achyrachaena mollis - Asteraceae, California, Oregon. Blow Wives. Subtle in flower, this annual produces prominent globes of shining silvery bracts that are held for quite a while when it is in seed. A grassland inhabitant. 100 seeds

Agastache hybrids – orange Lamiaceae, garden origin. Seed from A. 'Tangerine Dreams' , A. ‘Painted Lady’ and the nearby A. aurantiaca should produce fls. in orange shades, with possible surprises. Aromatic leaves, of course. Z8

Agastache hybrids – pink Lamiaceae, garden origin. Seed collected mostly from pink hybrids, and A. mexicana 'Toronjil Morado'. Should produce free flowering plants with bright pink to lavender fls. on tall stems with aromatic leaves. Z8

Agastache rugosa ‘Heronswood Mist’ - Lamiaceae, China, Japan, Korea. Dense spikes of dark blue purple flowers on compact plants with shiny, dark green licorice scented leaves. To 2’, smaller in scale than A. ‘Blue Fortune’. Z8 100 seeds

Agastache rupestris - Lamiaceae, Arizona, New Mexico. Tidy plant with a charming combination of narrow gray leaves and peach to orange flowers. The aroma of the leaves can be quite variable, from licorice to camphor-ish mint. Z8 Sold out 2008

Agastache wrightii - Lamiaceae, Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico. Richly aromatic greener than gray leaves in low clumps. Erect stems to 18"+ have very densely flowered spikes to 5" long with small bright lavender blue fls. just poking out. Z8?

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.

Allium falcifolium - Liliaceae, California. Low very ornamental onion with gray-green falcate leaves and round heads of vivid rose purple flowers in spring. 30 seeds Z8

Alonsoa incisifolia - Scrophulariaceae, Peru, Chile. Neat subshrub carries long wands of vibrant orange fls. with dark centers on 18" stems. Blooms and reblooms. Fl. stems are very erect, plant grows to 2'+.

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 Sold out 2008

Asclepias speciosa - Asclepiadaceae, Western N. America. Wide gray leaves on stems to 4' and large rounded heads of pinkish white flowers. Spreads at the root. Larval food for monarch butterflies. Seed strain from northern California. Z2

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

Calandrinia ciliata - Portulacaceae, California. Red maids. A familiar and very bright, easy to grow annual for open ground or containers. Vivid red violet flowers for a long while in spring. 100+ seeds

Calandrinia ciliata - white fl. Portulacaceae, California. A generous plantsman (and customer) shared seed of his white fl. form of red maids. Pure white fls and glossy dark green leaves. 100+ seeds

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

Caryopteris incana - Verbenaceae, China, Japan. This fine perennial carries its showy clusters of dark blue purple flowers for a long season in late summer and fall. Oval leaves are scalloped and softly hairy. Easy from seed. Z6

Cassia odorata prostrata - Fabaceae, Australia. Flat growing, with dark green leaves, this neat shrub has bright yellow, sweet smelling flowers that appear in spring and early summer. Said to grow well under eucalyptus. Z9, at least

Centaurium muehlenbergii – Gentianaceae, California. Slender annual carries heads of silky clear pink flowers in spring. Beautiful in a mass, or a meadow. 200+ seed

Cerinthe major var. purpurascens - Boraginaceae. This amazing hardy annual is found in rocky places of Mediterranean Europe and North Africa. Wide bluish leaves on upright stems produce pendant flower clusters. Flowers are dark purple, and almost hidden by prominent steely blue purple bracts. Long bloom season. Reseeds readily. 30 seeds

Chlorogalum pomeridianum - Liliaceae, California, Oregon. Soap plant. Starry white flowers on 3' stalks appear in early summer. Flowers open late in the day. Bulbs used by native Americans. Z8

Chorizanthe membranacea – Polygonaceae, California. Dry rocky slopes are the natural habitat for this annual pink spineflower. Thin stems and narrow blue gray leaves often are intertwined, round light pink fl. heads appear in abundance.

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. These plants will bloom for quite a long time if grown in containers or given supplemental water in the garden. Packets contain 100+ seeds.

Clarkia amoena ssp. whitneyi - Onagraceae, Humboldt, Mendocino Co.,Calif. 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.

Clarkia purpurea ssp. purpurea- Onagraceae, Santa Cruz Co., California. This form of the species is very distinctive, with very dense heads of fair sized lavender flowers. Upright to 18".

Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera hybrid - Onagraceae, California. With the same vivid, shiny deep purplish red fls. as ssp. quadrivulnera, but with somewhat larger flowers held in dense clusters at the tips, as well as singly along the stems, this is thought to be a hybrid with ssp. purpurea. Very nice. Erect to 18"-2'.

Clarkia rubicunda ssp. blasdalei - Onagraceae, California. 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', and bloom for months..

Clarkia tenella - maroon fl. – Onagraceae, South America. Previously listed as “species”, a friend confirms that he saw this color form of the species tenella while traveling in Chile. Small, bright maroon flowers are abundant on very low and spreading plants. Beautiful when combined with small perennials or in containers. Long bloom.

Clarkia tenella - lavender blue - Onagraceae, South America. Gorgeous silky bluish lavender flowers with a white center and dark stigmas on this very pretty annual. A different color than most clarkias, and tends to bloom most of the summer.

Clarkia tenella [hybrid?] – pink to white fl. Received under this name from a keen plantsman, this seed strain stands tall to 30” and carries larger light pink to white flowers, often with rosy red centers for a long season in spring through summer.

Clarkia unguiculata - compact form - Onagraceae, California. 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.

Clarkia williamsonii - Onagraceae, California. 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.

Colletia paradoxa - Rhamnaceae, Uruguay, S. Brazil. Also known as Colletia cruciata. Very rigid, flattened stems are quite spiny on this 6' shrub. White fall flowers smell like ceanothus flowers. A good barrier plant. Z8 20 seeds

Colletia spinosa 'Rosea' - Rhamnaceae, Chile? An upright very spine-tipped shrub received under this name, but it might be Colletia hystrix 'Rosea'. Small pinkish white flowers are dark pink in bud and sweetly fragrant. Z8 15 seeds

Collinsia heterophylla – Scrophulariaceae, California. Seed is from the Sierran form of this species which seems to be mostly dark purple, with light central patch and red lines in the usual places. Striking annual for part shade. Sold out 2008

Collinsia heterophylla x tinctoria - Scrophulariaceae, California. Received under this name, originally from a wild population, this intermediate seed strain produces exceptionally tall spires of flowers—medium lavender with painted lines.

Collinsia tinctoria - Scrophulariaceae, California. Annual, to 1' or a little more. Abundant flowers are palest lavender, with purple lines that seem almost painted on. Easy to grow.

Collomia grandiflora - Polemoniaceae, W. United States. 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.

Cypella coelestis - Iridaceae, Mexico. 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 fls 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

Dahlia coccinea hybrids – shades of orange - Asteraceae, Mexico. Masses of single, bright orange flowers in many shades are carried on bushy plants from late spring through fall. Well suited to borders and for cutting. These plants are showy for a very long time, and bloom within three months of sowing.

Dahlia coccinea hybrids – mixed colors - Asteraceae, Mexico. This seed mix includes a larger range of colors than the preceding offering. Parents had yellow, violet, gold, magenta and red flowers as well as the bright and soft oranges. Not at all like the well-bred hybrids, these plants need no staking and little care to prosper. Masses of flowers their first year from seed.

Delphinium californicum – Ranunculaceae, California. An impressive species in size and vigor, collected by Matt Teel. Flower spikes can top 7 feet, actual fls. are more of a curiosity than showy, colored between blue and gray, with petals curled inward even if full bloom, looking like the plant is perpetually in bud. Native to chaparral slopes, little or no summer water.

Delphinium cardinale - Ranunculaceae, southern California. Spectacular scarlet larkspur can have stems to 6', with bright red flowers in spring and summer. Blooms first year from seed sown early. Z8

Delphinium nudicaule – Ranunculaceae, California. Scarlet larkspur is found on steep banks and roadcuts in nature. Seed from Matt Teel is from an exceptional plant, with a particularly dense, showy, 2’ inflorescence of bright scarlet blooms that flowered for several months. Good in containers. Best with afternoon shade, good drainage and a dry summer rest.

Delphinium requienii - Ranunculaceae, S. France. Very ornamental leaves are dark glossy green on this species. Flower spikes bear many light purple flowers in a dense raceme. Can be annual or biennial. To 3'. Z8

Dendromecon harfordii – Papaveraceae, Channel Islands, California. Island bush poppy carries its bright yellow flowers set among greenish gray leaves spring to fall. “Instant smoke” will be included to encourage germination. 30 seeds Z8

Dichelostemma capitatum - giant form. Liliaceae, California. Tight heads of lavender blue flowers are especially large on this California bulb. Stems can reach to 3', and flower heads are easily 3" across. This seed strain was originally collected on Santa Cruz Island by Roger Raiche. 30 seeds Z5

Dierama pendulum var. robustum – white fl. - Iridaceae, South Africa. White dangling bells on this form of fairy wand. It blooms earlier than the next species, in late spring rather than summer. Z9 30 seeds

Dierama pulcherrimum – darkest red purple - Iridaceae, South Africa. This evergreen corm holds long dangling wands of dark reddish purple bell-like flowers in summer. Original seed from Slieve Donard strain. Z7

Digitalis dubia - Scrophulariaceae, Spain. Sugar pink flowers on this very dwarf foxglove are a nice complement to the furry gray leaves. A good plant for containers. To 12".

Dracocephalum moldavicum - Lamiaceae, Europe. Outstanding lemony scented annual with showy spikes of bright blue flowers. Easy to grow, stems reach about 18" to form bushy little upright clumps that burst into bloom in midsummer.

Ephedra tweediana - Ephedraceae, Chile. Dark green stems on this large growing shrub (2' high by 5'+wide) create a thick cushion of foliage. White fruits in summer. Z9, at least 25 seeds Sold out 2008

Eragrostis elliottii - Poaceae, southeast U.S. Soft lax clumps of this very fine textured, blue gray grass look good all year, graceful grayish flowers arch over the foliage. Reseeds in watered gardens. To 30" high.

Eriogonum elongatum - Polygonaceae, California. Leaves are thin and gray, 30" very silvery wands carry white to pinkish flowers that appear in profusion over the low leaves. 30 seeds

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens - dark fl. Polygonaceae, California. This seed strain of red buckwheat produces rose pink to exceptionally dark rose-red flowers. Low leaves are gray to greenish gray. Fl. color is variable, but never light pink. Some fl. stems are taller than the typical seed strains offered of this species. Z9

Eriogonum [roseum]- Polygonaceae, California. Tall thin grey stems to 2’ stay fairly erect and carry round clusters of pale pink flowers along their length. Easy.

Eriogonum vimineum– Polygonaceae, California to WA, Arizona. Wicker buckwheat. Perfect 18” domes with vivid rose pink round fls. held along wiry interlaced stems brighten the summer and early fall garden. Showy, annual.

Erysimum franciscanum var. crassifolium - Brassicaceae, California. Low subshrubs make dense mounds that carry many spikes of bright yellow, sweetly scented wallflowers over the foliage in spring and summer. These seeds originated from a coastal population in Santa Cruz County. Z9 at least 30 seeds

Eschscholzia californica - cream fl. - Papaveraceae, California. This perennial form of California poppy has creamy to pale yellow flowers; it is smaller in stature than many robust orange cultivars, fitting into plantings easily. Z6 100 seeds

Eschscholzia californica - coastal form. Papaveraceae, California. This groundcover form of California poppy develops branching stout roots, and spreading low stems. Blooms all summer in my garden, flowers are golden yellow with orange centers. Foliage stays clean all season, plants retreat to leafy rosettes in winter. Perennial. Z9

Eschscholzia lobbii - Papaveraceae, California. Diminutive plants produce vibrant clear yellow round flowers in spring and summer. Great for containers or rock gardens. Annual.

Eschscholzia lobbii ‘Sundew’ – Papaveraceae, California. The always diminutive plants put on their spring show with bright soft creamy yellow flowers. Exceptional seed strain for the dry border or containers. Annual, of course.

Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia - Hydrophyllaceae, California. Divided mounding foliage has a wafting sweet-lemony smell; small white flowers are carried in loose clusters in spring and early summer. Annual, and worth it for the foliage scent alone. Sold out 2008