2016 list
Updated 20 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.
Dahlia coccinea hybrids – shades of orange - Asteraceae, Mexico. Masses of single, bright orange flowers in many shades are carried on bushy plants that can reach 6’ 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 - 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. Masses of flowers their first year.
Deinandra
(Hemizonia) corymbosa - Asteraceae, California. photo Cheery 1" yellow daisies appear all summer on this well branched coastal annual to 18" with aromatic foliage and an easy
constitution. CN
Deinandra
(Hemizonia) fasciculata – Asteraceae,
California. photo Clouds of acid yellow daisy flowers are held in dense heads on wiry stems on this well branched, airy annual.
Plants can reach 3' in height. Extended bloom season. CN
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 CN
Dichelostemma
capitatum - giant
form. Themidaceae, California. Tight heads of lavender blue flowers on this form from Santa Cruz Island; original collection by Roger Raiche.
Stems can reach to 3', and fl. heads are easily 3" across. 30 seeds CN
Dichelostemma
capitatum - white
form. Themidaceae, California. photo Heads of sparkling white flowers on this color variant of the typical blue dicks. Flower stems 18-24 ". Spring bloom. 30
seeds CN
Dierama pulcherrimum –
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".
Dudleya brittonii
– Crassulaceae, Baja
California. photo
Huge succulent silvery rosettes put up flower spikes with pale yellow flowers
in spring, but the ghostly rosette is the real show. Protect from hard frost
and winter wet. 100 seeds
Dudleya farinosa –green leaf -
Crassulaceae,
Califonria. Thick green leaves stay in a rosette. Red
flower stems show off yellow flowers. 100 seeds CN
Elymus
californicus –
northern California. photo California bottlebrush grass has wide green leaves and gracefully
draping "bottlebrush" flower spikes on 4-5' stems. Found in moist
conifer forests, it appreciates at least part shade. Z8 or less CN
Eremalche parryi - Malvaceae, California.
photo Trailing stems carry many bright silky light rose purple flowers in spring on this uncommon, pretty annual. Flower form like that of many Clarkias, and quite
showy in bloom. CN
Eriogonum fasciculatum – Polygonaceae, California. Shrubby buckwheat covers vast hillsides in the interior part of this state. All manner of insects revel in the warm white to pale pink flowers in early summer, rusty red seedheads follow. CN
Eriogonum giganteum – Polygonaceae, Islands off southern California. This grand (4-6’) shrub with large oval silver leaves covers itself in summer with broad lacy umbels of white flowers that age rusty. Attractive to beneficial insects. Z9 CN
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens -
dark fl. Polygonaceae, California.
photo 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 CN
Eriogonum vimineum– Polygonaceae, California to WA, Arizona. Wicker buckwheat.
photo Perfect 18” domes with vivid rose pink round flowers held along wiry interlaced stems brighten the summer and early fall garden. Showy, annual. CN
Erysimum capitatum – Brassicaceae, California. Biennial brightens hillsides with spikes of fragrant, glowing orange “wallflowers” in spring. This seed came from particularly well branched plants. CN
Erysimum
concinnum – Brassicaceae, California. Fragrant creamy yellow flowers are in short spikes on
this perennial wallflower from central coastal California. Tidy green leaf mounds. CN
Erysimum franciscanum var. crassifolium - Brassicaceae, California.
photo 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 CN
Eschscholzia californica -
cream fl. - Papaveraceae, California.
photo 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 CN
Eschscholzia californica -
coastal form. Papaveraceae, California.
photoThis 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 100 seeds CN
Eschscholzia lobbii - Papaveraceae, California.
photo Diminutive plants produce vibrant clear yellow round flowers in spring and summer. Great for containers or rock gardens. Annual. 100 seeds CN
Eschscholzia lobbii ‘Sundew’ – Papaveraceae, California.
photo 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. CN
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia - Boraginaceae, California.
photo Divided mounding foliage has a wafting sweet-lemony smell; small white flowers are carried in loose clusters in spring ,early summer. Annual, and worth it for the foliage scent alone. CN
Ferula sp. - Apiaceae, Mediterranean.
photo This may be F. assa-foetida, but is also generally known as F. communis 'Gigantea'. Ferny leaves form a substantial 18" mound of arching, lacy foliage. Flower stalks rise to 6' in early spring and carry dense globes of yellow flowers. Will die down in summer dry climates and reappear with fall rains. Z8? 30 seeds
Festuca californica California, Oregon. Dark green leaf blades on 18” full clumps, this handsome grass is well adapted to summer dry climates. It inhabits north facing, often shady slopes Airy fl. stems to 4’+. Z8 or less CN
Freesia alba - Iridaceae, S. Africa.
photo Easy from seed, this bulb(actually a corm) grows in winter/spring and is dormant in summer. Late spring flowers are clear white with a purplish flush on the backs of the petals. Very nicely fragrant too.
Freesia corymbosa – Iridaceae, South Africa.
photo Later to bloom than other freesia species, this species carries nice spikes of warm soft yellow flowers with a peppery scent in late spring. 30 seeds
Freesia viridis – Iridaceae, southern Africa. Long tubed, very green flowers in a curved spike on this unusual corm. Fl tubes turn rosy as blooms mature. Not particularly showy, but very interesting. Easy.
Gilia achilleifolia - Polemoniaceae, California.
photo More relaxed in leaf and flower than G. capitata, this population carries cheery bright blue or white heads of flowers in spring and early summer. 100+ seed CN
Gilia achilleifolia—white flower Polemoniaceae, California. White flowered form of this cheery annual—easy and prolific in bloom. Reseeds nicely. CN
Gilia capitata ssp chamissonis – Polemoniaceae, California.
photo Finely divided leaves form tight, low cushions; round heads of lavender blue flowers are held just over the low leaves. Native to coastal sandhills. CN
Gilia nevinii – Polemoniaceae, San Clemente, Santa Catalina, Guadalupe islands, California.
photo Small starry blue flowers appear for months in abundance among feathery leaves on this charming annual. Mounds to 12”. 200+ seed CN
Gilia splendens – Polemoniaceae, California.
photo Recently pronounced Saltugilia splendens, but it may take a while for the name to settle. This splendid annual keeps its rosette of finely divided leaves low, and sends up 1-3’ slender stems that branch profusely and carry clouds of rich candy pink flowers that move in the slightest breeze. Not always easy in cultivation, good drainage and lean soil are recommended. CN
Helenium puberulum - Asteraceae, California. Round balls of fertile flowers have a short skirt of petals below. The effect is of upright stems, very nodding in bud, and many round half-inch yellow balls. Very easy, can reseed. Z8 100 seeds CN
Heliophila coronopifolia - Brassicaceae, South Africa.
photo This showy annual makes many thin spikes with clear blue round flowers for a long season, spring and summer. Easy, rewarding and just pretty. 100 seeds
Hemizonia congesta ssp. lutescens - Asteraceae, California.
photo Annual tarweed perfumes the summer air with its aromatic foliage, and carries pale cream to soft yellow daisy flowers for a long season. Blooms summer and fall. CN
Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulifolia - Asteraceae, California.
photo Bright white daisies are carried on this annual tarweed and it perfumes the summer and fall air with its aromatic foliage. Blooms summer to fall. CN
Hemizonia
corymbosa and H. fasciculata now listed under Deinandra.
Heuchera maxima – Saxifragaceae, Channel Islands, California.
photo Large rounded leaves develop into low wide cushions; spikes of warm white flowers set on pinkish stems rise to 3’ in spring. Great in dry shade. 100+ seeds CN
Hibiscus lasiocarpos
var occidentalis – Malvaceae,
Central
Valley California. This wetland inhabitant forms a
perennial rhizome. Stems to 6' with soft-furry green leaves display white
hibiscus fls w/red centers if it is hot enough. 20
seeds CN
Hulsea heterochroma – Asteraceae, California. photo Very narrow rusty red rays surround a central golden
disc; glandular green leaves stay low. Can grow to 3' high. "Instant
smoke" will accompany seed, as it is a fire follower. CN
Isomeris arborea – Capparaceae, California. Silvery light green leaves add beautiful foliage texture to any planting. Bright yellow flowers followed by fat green seedpods (hence its common name of bladderpod). Shrub to 4-5’. Z9? 30 seeds CN
Isoplexis canariensis – Plantaginaceae, Canary
Islands. Shrubby foxglove has erect stems
with dark green leaves and quite ornamental spires of tawny orange flowers in
summer. Z9
