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.
Lasthenia californica ssp.macrantha
– Asteraceae, California. photo It is hard to believe this perennial goldfields is closely related to the slender
yellow daisy that carpets dry places in spring. Wide green leaves are form a tight cushion to 4" high and 16" across.
Bright yellow flowers appear almost year-round. From the
immediate coast, best with some water.
CN
Lavandula
lanata – Lamiaceae, Spain. White wooly lavender forms tight clumps; summer flowers
are deepest blue purple, but not as large as those of the angustifolia
types. Z7
Lavandula viridis - Lamiaceae, Spain, Portugal. Aromatic light green leaves stay dense on a 3’ rounded shrub; green flags perch on top of the inflorescence. An adaptable, easy shrub. Z9
Layia chrysanthemoides – Asteraceae, California.
photo Smooth tidy tips. Somewhat succulent low leaves are glossy green; cheery spring flowers are good sized, abundant and yellow with white tips. Annual. CN
Layia gaillardioides – Asteraceae, California.
photo Perfumed tarweed ends the spring season with bright yellow daisies held on slender stems with that wonderful tangy aroma. Easy annual in sun or part shade. CN
Layia glandulosa
- creamy
yellow flower Asteraceae, western U.S.
photo Palest yellow daisies in spring on branched slender stems create a great effect in spring. Aromatic leaves. Spring bloom is profuse, annual. CN
Lepechinia hastata - Lamiaceae, Mexico. Large, arrow-shaped gray leaves are held on stiffly upright stems, red purple flowers in terminal spikes are showy in summer and fall. Grows 4-6' high. Adaptable. Z8
Lessertia montana – Fabaceae, South Africa.
photo 3’ shrub with fine, gray divided leaves produces clusters of bright red “parrot’s beak” flowers in spring and summer. These mature to inflated shiny rose pink bladder-like fruits. Z9, at least.
Limnanthes douglasii ssp. nivea - Limnanthaceae, California.
photo Easy annual, and it does well in winter wet soil. Pure white flowers in spring appear in abundance, before the plant disappears for the summer, to reappear with fall rains. CN
Linanthus “dylanae” – Polemoniaceae, Santa Cruz County, California.
photo Thought to be either a subspecies of Linanthus grandiflorus or a distinct species, this annual extends its blooming season for months with some supplemental water. Dense heads (over an inch across) of dark lavender flowers are held on 12” stems. Easy. CN
Linanthus 'Stardust' - Polemoniaceae, California.photo Derived
from races of Linanthus parviflorus, this
seed strain produces masses of flowers in sparkling colors - orange, yellow,
pink, and cream –
in spring. 100 seeds CN
Lotus (Hosackia) crassifolius var. otayensis - Fabaceae, San Diego County, California.
photo Arching stems carry gray green, softly furry leaves and rise to about 18". Clusters of red violet and white fls. appear in spring and summer. Perennial. Z9? CN
Lotus formosissimus (Hosackia gracilis)- Fabaceae, California.
photo From seasonally moist meadows, harlequin lotus forms a flat perennial mat to 2' across, covered with bright yellow and pink pea flowers in spring, with scattered bloom in summer. Z8? CN
Lotus (Acmispon) grandiflorus- Fabaceae, California. Rounded perennial to 2-3' with soft light green divided leaves and pretty clusters of cream colored flowers. Persistent fruits to 3"+ across form a stiff chestnut pinwheel. Hardy to at least Z9. CN
Lotus (Hosackia) yollaboliensis- Fabaceae, northern California.
photo Absolutely flat mats of green leaves are covered with white and yellow pea flowers in summer. Z9 at least. 30 seeds
CN
Lupinus albifrons – Fabaceae, California.
photo This widespread species is found in many plant communities. Leaves are silvery; flower stems with reddish to blue purple flowers wreath 2-3’ shrubs in spring and early summer. 50 seeds CN
Lupinus albifrons var. collinus – Fabaceae, California. Silvery leaves on spreading stems make a low mat; spikes of bright blue purple flowers extend to 18”. Spring bloom on this perennial subshrub. 30 seeds limited supply CN
Lupinus arboreus—lavender blue fl– Fabaceae, central California. Bush lupine also goes by the name of L. propinquus. It quickly makes a rounded 4’ loose shrub with spires of lavender blue flowers in spring. Green leaves. Adaptable. 50 seeds CN
Lupinus arboreus—yellow fl – Fabaceae, California to Oregon. Robust bush lupine to 6' is found on sand dunes and
coastal plant communities. Leaves are green, flower spikes display bright
yellow flowers in spring. 50 seeds CN
Lupinus bicolor – Fabaceae, California to Washington.
photo Annual. Miniature lupine displays small, very bright blue flowers in spring. Only 12” tall, but a patch of flowers creates quite a nice, sparkling effect. Annual. 50+ seeds CN
Lupinus
concinnus – Fabaceae, California. photo Cute little bajada lupine creates white furry foliage mounds to 8" and decorates them with spikes of smallish bright blue purple flowers in spring. Annual. 30 seeds CN
Lupinus hirsutissimus - Fabaceae, California.
photo The common name of stinging lupine for this annual does not begin to illustrate the charm of this plant. Covered with stiff hairs, it bristles with enthusiasm. Red violet fls. in spring. 30 seeds CN
Lupinus microcarpus var microcarpus (L. subvexus) –
photo Bright red violet to purple flowers are carried in spikes over low green leaves on this spring blooming annual. Low leaves, nice show. 30 seeds CN
Lupinus microcarpus
var microcarpus –lavender
blue– photo
Seed from a local race with lavender blue flowers. Dense furry flower spikes held
over low green leaves. 30
seeds CN
Lupinus nanus - Fabaceae, western U.S.
photo Annual with bright blue flowers grows to 15", and blooms with abandon in spring. Sweet "moth ball" fl. fragrance is just another intriguing smell from California grasslands. 30 seeds CN
Lupinus
nanus 'Pacific
Pink'- Fabaceae,
western U.S. photo Soft pink flowered seed strain of the annual lupine that paints California spring meadows in broad
swathes. Developed from a chance finding of pink fl. plants. 50
seeds CN
Lupinus polyphyllus var. burkei – Fabaceae, California. Perennial lupine native to mountain meadows and slopes makes low, typically palmate green leaves; bright lavender blue flowers are carried in spikes in midsummer. 50 seeds CN
Lupinus succulentus 'Rodeo Rose' - Fabaceae, California.
photo Typical L. succulentus has blue purple flowers. This very pretty seed strain produces soft rose pink flower spikes for a long period in spring and summer. Original selection and naming was by Roger Raiche. Annual. 30 seeds CN
Madia elegans - Asteraceae, California.
photo Annual. Young rosettes are soft-hairy; by midsummer they can elongate from 3-7' and short branches carrying many 1.5" miniature sunflowers explode with color. Aromatic foliage. CN
Madia elegans
ssp. vernalis - California.
photo Annual. The cheery spring blooming form of common madia makes masses of 1-2" bright yellow
daisies on a rounded, well branched mound to 30". Leaves have the typical
sweet tarweed aroma. CN
Melanoselinum decipiens - Apiaceae, Madeira. photo Lush monocarpic perennial
makes a strong trunk to 6’ to bear its large, tropical-looking leaves. Dense
umbels of light pink fls. cover the leaves in the blooming year. Can take
drought in shade. Z9
Melianthus major - Melianthaceae, South Africa. Grown primarily for its large lush, blue gray foliage, the tall spikes of maroon flowers are an added bonus. Z9 30 seeds
Melianthus villosus - Melianthaceae, South Africa. Light green, hairy leaves form an attractive foliage mass. Summer flowers are not particularly striking, but the bright apple green seed pods are! Hardier than M. major. Z9 or less 30 seeds
Melica imperfecta -
photo Coast melic grows in many plant communities in California. It forms bright green tidy clumps and flower stems are narrow and somewhat drooping. Will grow in sun or part shade. Z8 or less CN
Melica torreyana – Another nice green clumping California bunchgrass, this species does well in part to full shade. Fl. stems are narrow and a little drooping. Clumps are neat and provide nice contrast to other more ephemeral flowers. Z8? CN
Mimulus cardinalis - gold fl. Phrymaceae, western U.S.
photo Golden orange flowers appear in subtle variations in this seed strain from a golden flowered form of the perennial scarlet monkeyflower found on Santa Cruz Island. Z7 100+ seed CN
Mimulus guttatus -low form Phrymaceae, western U.S.
photo This desirable seed strain of common monkeyflower produces leaves that always stay low, and fairly tidy. Brilliant yellow fls. on leafless 18" stems. Wet growing. Z6 100+ seeds CN
Mimulus pictus - Phrymaceae, California.
photo The beauty of this small annual is in the intricate markings on its salverform flowers. The background color is white, but it is delicately patterned with clear brown lines. Best in containers. 100+ seed CN
Mirabilis longiflora - Nyctaginaceae, Texas, Mexico.
photo Long stems have clusters of white flowers at their tips. The effect is very airy, as the flower tubes are 5” long, and the exotically scented, rose-centered white flowers open only at night, and all point in different directions. Not for the meticulously manicured garden, but well worth growing! Perennial. Z8 30 seeds
Mirabilis viscosa - Nyctaginaceae, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. Vase shaped perennial to 30" has firm textured medium green, heart shaped leaves and bright fuchsia pink 1" flowers followed by tan “seed parachutes”. Z8
Monardella
villosa ssp. obispoensis – Lamiaceae, central California. Erect subshrub has round leaves with furry undersides;
and the typical dome shaped flower heads crowded with lavender flowers in early
summer. Z8 CN
Monolopia
lanceolata –
Asteraceae, California. Hilltop daisy paints the interior coast range hillsides
yellow in favored years. This annual is easy to grow with an abundance of
bright yellow daisies in spring. CN
Monolopia
stricta – Asteraceae, California. photo Small yellow daisy flowers are held in frothy abundance over smooth gray leaves on this charming small stature spring blooming annual from the dry interior parts of California.
CN
Muhlenbergia dubia - Texas, New Mexico, northern Mexico. A half-size version of California Deer Grass, M. rigens, the evergreen foliage of this grass is 12-18". Thin, erect flower spikes rise to 3', and keep their stiff silhouette. Z7 100+ seed
Muhlenbergia rigens - California. This architectural grass has an evergreen basal foliage clump and thin, silvery, erect flower spikes in summer. Spikes persist into fall and winter. Used by native Americans for baskets. Z7 100+ seed CN
Nassella cernua, pulchra are now
back to Stipa.
Nemophila
menziesii 'Frosty Blue' – Boraginaceae, California. photo Typical baby blue eyes has those incredible baby blue
flowers in spring set among green leaves with silver spots. This seed strain
produces many plants with all silver leaves as well as the typical silver spotted
ones. Annual, and shows up well in the shade. CN
Nicotiana
glutinosa - Solanaceae, Peru, Ecuador, Galapogos Islands. Very distinctive and pretty dusky rose flowers have
more open throats than the typical nicotiana. Flower stems reach to 4'. Probably
perennial in mild climates. 100+ seeds
Nicotiana 'Hot Chocolate'- Solanaceae.
photo This charming seed strain was generously shared by Brian McGowan of Blue Meadow Farm, Massachusetts. Starry flower faces are muted ruby red to chocolate. Green flower tubes are great contrast.
Nicotiana mutabilis - Solanaceae, Brazil. Properly named as a species in 2002, this
remarkable plant is a beauty. Stems to 3-5' carry many pendant flowers.
These open pure white, age to pale pink, then to rose pink. Perennial
in Z9. 100+ seeds
Nicotiana 'Priscilla' – Solanaceae, garden hybrid. Seed strain from a local garden displays huge white flowers in the usual fashion. Greenish buds open to lightly fragrant starry white flowers with faces almost 3" across; tubes are 2" long. 4-5' tall.
Perideridia
kelloggii – Apiaceae, California. Slender perennial with divided leaves puts up flower
stems to 3' which carry heads of white flowers. Blooms with the hayfield
tarweeds in midsummer. 20 seeds limited supply CN
Petromarula pinnata - Campanulaceae, Crete. photo Low pinnate leaves form
substantial glossy green clump. Dense columns to 2' of starry lavender blue
flowers extend over the leaves in spring and summer. Flowering goes on for
months. Z8 100+seed
Phacelia
bolanderi - Boraginaceae
California, Oregon. photo Light lilac blue flowers are held on spreading stems
over softly hairy, gray green leaves. Effect is subtle, but very pleasing. Good
perennial plant for dry shade. CN
Phacelia
californica -
Boraginaceae, California. photo Attractive perennial foliage clumps are a purplish gray
green. Full flower heads are an especially bright lavender and are held over
the foliage on erect stems in spring. Z9, at least CN
Phacelia campanularia – Boraginaceae, California. The common
name desert bluebells describes this easy annual perfectly. Flowers are bright
blue purple and showy in spring.
100+ seeds CN
Phacelia ciliata – Boraginaceae, California. photo This bright
lavender blue annual phacelia creates lakes of color
in the Carrizo Plain area in spring during generous rainfall years. Flowers are
held over lobed soft
grey-green leaves. CN
Phacelia
distans – Boraginaceae, California. photo Creamy flowers with delicate brown veining are
abundant on this widespread California
annual. It is much appreciated by all sorts of bees and flying creatures.
100+ seeds CN
Pholistoma auritum
– Boraginaceae, California. photo
Clambering annual has widely lobed green leaves with silvery spotting, and
large lavender blue flowers with white then dark centers. Showy
annual for dry shade. CN
Pseudocydonia sinensis - Rosaceae, China.
This Chinese quince has been prized for its spring pink flowers, very
large fragrant fruits, nice bark and great fall color. Large
shrub or small tree. 30
seeds
Puya alpestris - Bromeliaceae, Chile.
photo Stiff rosettes with hooked spines form dense clumps; stout fl. stems rise to 5'+ and produce short branches with incredible silky, deep blue green flowers with bright orange anthers in late spring and summer. Plants can be slow to bloom, but the flower color is worth the wait. Z8
Romanzoffia californica - Boraginaceae, California to Washington.
photo Mist maidens. Low clumps of shiny lobed lvs are absolutely covered with dainty white flowers in spring. Must dry out completely summer and fall. Easy in containers. Z7 CN
Romneya coulteri – Papaveraceae, California. White poppy flowers can be 6-12” wide on this glorious perennial. Not particularly easy from seed, it can be difficult to establish in the garden, and then difficult to eradicate if it settles in and begins relentless root wandering. But it is still very desirable. “Instant smoke” will be supplied to aid germination. CN
