2010 list
Updated 18 January 2010
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. CN at the end of the entry denotes plants native to California.
Lathyrus nervosus - Fabaceae, South America. Stems
sprawl to 2'+, and very pretty lavender blue flowers with a spicy cinnamon
scent are held over the firm succulent blue-gray leaves. Here, the plants
bloomed spring to fall. Z9 30 seeds
Layia chrysanthemoides – Asteraceae, California. 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.
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 fl. Asteraceae, western U.S.
Palest yellow daisies in spring on branched slender stems create a great
effect in spring. Aromatic leaves. Spring bloom is profuse, annual. CN
Lepechinia bella – Lamiaceae, Bolivia. Beautiful
bright blue flowered pitcher sage with curved flowers held erect along the
stems. Needs protection from hard frost.
30 seeds
Lepechinia calycina - Lamiaceae. A pungent local chaparral member, with large
woolly gray leaves and palest lilac flowers to 4 feet high and wide. This shrub
will completely defoliate in summer in a hot dry spot, though a few deep
waterings will keep it greener. Hot water treatment and 3 months stratification
for best germination. From Matt Teel. 30
seeds 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. 3’ shrub with fine, grey 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.
Lessingia filaginifolia – Asteraceae, California. This
form of the quite variable California aster makes broad domes of interlaced
stems to 18” high and at least 2’ wide. These stems produce a series of three
quarter inch dark lavender pink daisies in summer and fall. Dies back to a
basal crown in winter. Attractive to butterflies. Z8?
CN
Limnanthes douglasii ssp. nivea - Limnanthaceae, California.
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
Limnanthes douglasii ssp. rosea – Limnanthaceae, California.
Charming variant of meadow foam puts out bright white flowers with pink veins
that age to pale pink. Spring bloom, well adapted to wet soils—and
containers. 30 seeds CN
Linanthus “dylanae” – Polemoniaceae, Santa Cruz
County, California. 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
Lotus crassifolius var. otayensis - Fabaceae, San Diego County,
California. 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? 30 seeds CN
Lotus formosissimus - Fabaceae, California. Found in seasonally moist meadows, harlequin
lotus can grow as a flat mat to 2' across, covered with bright yellow and
lavender pink pea fls in spring, with scattered bloom in summer. Z8? 30
seeds CN
Lupinus arboreus—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.
Adaptable. 50 seeds CN
Lupinus bicolor – Fabaceae, California to
Washington. Annual. Miniature lupine sparkles with bright blue flowers in
spring. Only 12” tall, but a patch of flowers creates quite a nice effect. 30+ seeds CN
Lupinus hirsutissimus - Fabaceae, California. 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 latifolius var. parishii – Fabaceae, California. A moisture loving California lupine, this
leafy perennial makes strong stems to 4-5’ and tops them with long stems of
soft mauve pink flowers in late spring and summer. 30 seeds CN
Lupinus longifolius – Fabaceae, southern California.
Bush lupine (to 3’) has silvery leaves and long wands of scented blue and white
flowers in spring. 30
seeds CN
Lupinus microcarpus var.
densiflorus – pale pink – Fabaceae, California. This
form of chick lupine carries soft pink to light lavender flowers over light
green leaves. Annual 30 seeds CN
Lupinus microcarpus var
microcarpus (L. subvexus) – 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 pilosus/ poss. L. palaestinus -
Fabaceae, Middle East. Annual, with
large, silky gray leaves and oversized rich blue purple fls. in spikes in
spring and summer. Vivid flowers are quite fragrant. Giant seeds. 10 seeds
Lupinus polyphyllus var. burkei – Fabaceae, California. Perennial
native to mountain meadows and slopes makes low, typically palmate green
leaves; bright lavender blue flowers are carried in spikes in midsummer. 20 seeds
CN
Lupinus sericatus – Fabaceae, California. Uncommon
in nature, this perennial lupine stays low with broad silver palmate leaves.
Fl. spikes to 12”+ are dark mauve pink to violet. Z8 or less 30 seeds CN
Lupinus succulentus ‘Rodeo Rose’ - Fabaceae, California.
Typical L. succulentus has blue purple flowers. Roger Raiche’s
seed strain produces soft rose
pink flower spikes for a long period in spring and summer. Annual.
30 seeds CN
Madia elegans - Asteraceae, California. 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. CN
Madia elegans ssp. vernalis - California. 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". Lvs have the typical sweet tarweed aroma. CN
Melanoselinum decipiens -
Apiaceae, Madeira. 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 -
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. Scrophulariaceae, western
U.S. 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
CN
Mimulus pictus - Scrophulariaceae,
California. 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. CN
Mirabilis longiflora - Nyctaginaceae, Texas, Mexico. 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 linoides ssp. viminea - Lamiaceae, San Diego County.
Narrow light green, very aromatic leaves on thin stems provide a succession of
one inch wide dense heads of starry lavender flowers through summer.
Perennial. Z9 ? CN
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 CN
Nassella cernua - California. Nodding needlegrass. Slender stems carry long
sleek 3" awns on this native California bunchgrass. Narrow leaves are
blue-green. Very ornamental in flower and seed. Z8 CN
Nepeta tuberosa
- Lamiaceae, Spain,
Portugal. Wide gray leaves spread on
stems along the ground. Thick, dense flower spikes come in late spring and summer,
and are bright purple. Best color in hot sun.
Z8 100+ seeds
Nicotiana glutinosa - Solanaceae, Peru, Ecuador,
Galapogos Islands. Very distinctive and pretty dusky rose flowers have more
open throats than the typical nicotiana. Stems are sticky.
Nicotiana 'Hot Chocolate' - Solanaceae. 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 knightiana - Solanaceae, Peru. Rounded gray
leaves have firm texture; flowers have creamy tubes and bright green mouths. A
stately and striking annual. To 5'+.
100+ seeds
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
Paeonia californica -
Paeoniaceae, California. Summer deciduous herbaceous perennial produces
handsome new foliage in Jan. and Dec. and goes dormant in May. Best in bright
shade, plants may reach 18” in height and exceed 2’ in width. Exquisite nodding
maroon flowers appear in March and April. In the wild it may be found growing
in clay, or serpentine soils, as well as decomposed granite. In containers it
requires excellent drainage and summer drought. Sow in late fall or winter.
Germinates without treatment, although scarification may improve
percentages. 5 seeds CN
Papaver somniferum ‘Lauren’s Grape’ – Papaveraceae. This selection of
breadseed poppy floats single silky purple flowers with dark blotches. Annual
of course. 100+ seed
Petromarula pinnata - Campanulaceae, Crete. 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 - Hydrophyllaceae, California,
Oregon. 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 - Hydrophyllaceae, California.
Perennial foliage clumps are a purplish gray green. Full flower heads are light
lavender and are held over the foliage on erect stems in spring. Z9, at least CN
Phacelia grandiflora - Hydrophyllaceae, California.
This grand annual can easily grow to 3'. Large dark lavender flowers with white
centers appear in late spring and summer with a long display if given moderate
water. 100+ seeds CN
Phacelia parryi – Hydrophyllaceae, California.
Annual to 2’, with bright blue violet flowers on a coiled inflorescence that
unfurls as spring moves on. Most phacelias are attractive to beneficial
insects. CN
Pickeringia montana – Fabaceae, California. A spiny
chaparral native, with small dark green foliage and large bright pink 'pea'
flowers in late spring. In temperate areas a smattering of flowers all summer
is not uncommon. Tolerant of heavy clay if kept dry. Not easy to find –or
harvest – the seed. From Matt Teel. 20 seeds 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. 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
Puya mirabilis - Bromeliaceae, Argentina,
Bolivia. Clumps are not as spiny as some
puyas, and plants bloom at a young age. Flower spikes to 3' carry drooping
creamy green twisted bells. Very graceful plant. Z9
Retama monosperma - Fabaceae, Spain, N.
Africa. Graceful shrub to 10', with
silvery stems, tiny leaves and willowy, pendulous branches. Masses of fragrant
white flowers in spring. Spring cut flower on the French Riviera. Z9
20 seeds
Romanzoffia californica - Hydrophyllaceae, California to
Washington. 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
Romulea subfistulosa – Iridaceae, South Africa.
Vibrant hot purplish pink flowers have a yellow center with black outlining.
Spring bloom on this very striking, easy bulb from S. Africa. Can bloom second
year from seed. Z9 ?
Salvias are exciting plants. All Salvias are in the Lamiaceae.
Salvia apiana – California. White sage. Subshrub
makes 2-3’ mounds of broad white, highly aromatic leaves. Flower stems to 6’+
carry white to pinkish white flowers in spring. 50
seeds CN
Salvia argentea – Mediterranean. Wide silvery
hairy leaves create a striking rosette. Fl. stems rise to 2’ and carry creamy
white fls. in spring, but the leaves are the fetching attraction of this
species. Z5 50 seeds
Salvia barrelieri - SW.Spain, N.Africa. Strong
basal rosettes are somewhat blue green; very ornamental flower stalks to 5'
rise in late spring and carry many large lavender blue flowers for a long
period. A striking species. Z8 ? 30
seeds
Salvia broussonetii - Canary Islands. Large light
green leaves densely held on a rounded perennial shrub are very attractive set
among other garden plants on this white flowered sage. To 30". Z9 30 seeds
Salvia canariensis – Canary Islands. The varieties
listed below are not really an improvement on the species, which makes a shrub
to 5’, with dark grey green leaves with white undersides and abundant rose
flowers in red violet calyces. 30 seeds
Salvia canariensis var. albiflora -
Canary Islands. Leaves are greener and
narrower than in the typical species. White flowers appear in the usual long
wands. Z9 30 seeds
Salvia canescens var.
daghestanica –
Caucasus. Small rosettes of felted white
leaves; flower spikes rise to 12" and carry deep blue purple flowers.
Great rock garden plant. 20 seeds
Salvia coccinea ‘Brenthurst’ – Tropical S. America. Generally used as an annual bedding sage,
this plant can be perennial in mild areas. Warm pink flowers are set off nicely
by dark stems during a very long blooming season. 30 seeds
Salvia darcyi - Mexico. Long, erect spikes of large bright red
flowers appear all summer and fall on this hardy perennial Mexican sage.
Spreads a bit at the root, and is deciduous in winter. Very showy. Z8
30 seeds
Salvia desoleana - Sardinia. Wide light green leaves have undulating edges
and make a tight clump to 2’. Pale cream and light blue flowers are carried on
18” stems in spring and summer. Wonderfully pungent leaf aroma. 20 seeds
Salvia disermas - pink fl. South
Africa. Light gray green leaves form a
large mounding perennial clump; many small pale pink flowers (in this form)
almost year-round. Z9, at least 30 seeds
Salvia disermas - white fl. - South Africa. Light green leaves on this form look good all
year and form a pleasant mound to 2'; many white flowers in spring and
summer. Z9, at least 50 seeds
Salvia lanceolata - South
Africa. Very dense shrub to 3' with
triangular gray leaves, and shortly spreading by underground stems. Large dusty
pink flowers appear in spring and summer, and the calyces expand in fruit. 20
seeds limited supply
Salvia lanigera - E. Mediterranean. This tidy
plant often proceeds to seed production without showing flowers, but when they
appear, the spidery flowers are a pretty lavender blue. It is such a tidy,
light creamy green mound that the omission of flowers doesn't matter much.
Grows 8" high by about 18" wide.
30 seeds
Salvia macrophylla - low form, Tingo, Peru. Wide heart shaped leaves grow like a squash
along the ground. Some stems rise to 2-3' and carry a long series of lime green
calyces from which bright blue buds develop into gentian blue flowers with a
severely swept back lower lip. Styles and stamens are lightly blue flushed too.
Tender to frost. Easy and fast. 30 seeds
Salvia macrophylla - upright form, Tingo, Peru. Another plant from the same general collection
is upright in form, to 5'+, with no wandering tendencies. The progeny from that
plant tend to stay upright. Seed has been gathered and kept separate from both
(somewhat isolated) forms. Same bright blue flowers all season. 30 seeds
Salvia macrophylla—purple undersides – Peru. Shrub to 6’+ with large
dark green leaves with purple undersides. Spikes of dark blue flowers are
abundant spring to fall. Vigorous and impressive, but tender to hard
frost. 30 seeds
Salvia mellifera - California. Dark green leaved
shrubs of black sage perfume the chaparral hillsides of coastal California.
Dense whorls of white flowers in spring.
Z8 50 seeds CN
Salvia microphylla - pink - Mexico. Mid-green leaves and bright, large pink
flowers make this plant very useful in the garden. This species is more leafy
and dense in habit, and larger in flower than S. x jamensis. Z9 30 seeds
Salvia namaensis – southern Africa. Twiggy light
shrub to 5’ has a distinctive “medicinal” aroma and small pale blue flowers.
Botanists call the light green leaves “lyrate pinnatifid” and they are
quite attractive. No hard frost. 30 seeds
Salvia nilotica - Africa. Dense heads of small light blue purple
flowers are carried over attractive, dark green foliage. More for the collector
than for show, but quite nice in mixed plantings. 50 seeds
Salvia patens ‘Guanajuato’ - Mexico. Oversized gentian blue flowers are a third
again as big as they typical species. Fl. stems rise to 5’ and blooming goes on
most of the summer. 20 seeds
The cultivars ‘White Trophy’, ‘Cambridge
Blue’, ‘Lavender Lady’ and ‘Lavender Ice’ (palest lavender) are also
available. 15 seeds per packet while
supply lasts.
Salvia pauciserrata ssp
calocalicina –
South America. Lush dark green leaves form a leafy shrub to 5’; long stems of
bright red flowers create a sparkling effect. Very showy. Tender to hard
frost. 30 seeds
Salvia praeclara - Bolivia. This species can best be described as a S.
coccinea on steroids, leaves are thin and light green, flower stems reach
to 18" and carry vivid orange red fls all summer above the foliage.
Probably not hardy. 30 seeds
Salvia pratensis 'Haemotodes' -
Europe. Green basal rosette; the great
display of clouds of lavender blue flowers on dense spikes continues spring
through the summer. Hardy and quite lovely.
Z3 50 seeds
Salvia radula – southern Africa. Robust
perennial has green leaves felted white beneath. Prominent spikes of clear
white flowers are carried in summer and fall. Long bloom. 30 seeds
Salvia repens - South Africa. Low green lvs. are sometimes
lobed; flower stalks to 16" carry light blue and white flowers set in a
red violet calyx. Blooms for months, and the plants spread at the root with
enthusiasm in light soils. Z8-9? 50
seeds
Salvia roborowski - China. Soft yellow flowers occur in terminal spikes
all over this 1-2' annual sage. Very nice when it self seeds a little. 50 seeds
Salvia roemeriana - Texas. Bright true red flowers
appear for a long season on this low and spreading perennial sage from Texas.
Grows in sun or part shade. Z8 30
seeds
Salvia rubescens – Columbia, Venezuela. Shrub to 5-6’ with rough green leaves and
long spikes of bright red-orange flowers set on dark stems. Protect from hard
frost. 20 seeds Sold out 2010
Salvia sagittata - Ecuador. Thick light green leaves are deltoid and
fairly large; well displayed spikes of very distinctive, true gentian blue
flowers appear in summer and fall. Handsome in leaf and flower. Needs
protection from frost. 30 seeds
Salvia scabra - South Africa. Blooming from early summer to fall, this sage
displays its pretty clear lavender, long tubed flowers very effectively. Dark
green foliage is low. Z9 30 seeds
Salvia sclarea –low form – Turkey. Fl. stems to 2’ on
this small scale clary sage. Flowers and bracts are the usual pretty pink and
white. Z5 50 seeds
Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica - Europe, C. Asia. Low rosettes are pale green. Sculptural,
almost ghostly, flower stalks have prominent white (tinged pink) bracts, and
white flowers. Stunning. Also known as S. sclarea 'Alba'. Z5 50 seeds
Salvia splendens – pink fl. – Brazil. Majestic shrubs to 5’+ bloom all summer into
fall with spikes of light peachy pink flowers set in peach calyces among lush
green leaves. Easy in a watered shady spot. Tender to frost. 30 seeds
Salvia stenophylla – South Africa. Perennial keeps
low, green rosettes; fl. stems extend 1’ and carry many small light blue
flowers in spring. Easy. Z9 50 seeds
Salvia taraxacifolia - Morocco. Gray, sweet-smelling rosettes look like
dandelions when they are young; spikes of palest pink flowers appear late
spring to fall. Very nice combined with red-violet flowers. Perennial, to
18". Z9 30 seeds
Salvia tingitana – perhaps Morocco, but
uncertain. Large pungently aromatic
leaves are luminous pale green; spring flowers are soft yellow and light lilac.
Forms an erect shrub to 2'. Z9 at
least 30 seeds
Satureja thymbra – Lamiaceae, Balkans. Dome shaped dense shrublet to 2’ is covered
with very aromatic small, rough leaves; many short heads of pink flowers spring
and summer. Z7
Sideritis cypria - Lamiaceae, Cyprus. Relatively large firm textured leaves are a
soft, luminous gray-white, and this species forms a domed mound to 12".
Striking chartreuse flower spikes rise to 30" and carry the usual pale
yellow flowers. Z8?
Solanum pyracanthum - Solanaceae, Madagascar.
Brownish leaves have prominent bright orange spines on their midribs, stems are
covered with orange fuzz and violet flowers are in typical Solanum clusters.
Great when backlit. Z10 30 seeds
Stachys citrina – Lamiaceae, Turkey, Greece. Low
clump of soft green wide, lightly hairy leaves; soft yellow flowers are carried
in short, lax spikes. Z5 30 seeds
Stephanomeria virgata - Asteraceae, California. Unassuming rosettes send up many thin stalks
with bright light pink chicory-like flowers. Long bloom time with moderate
water. Attracts all sorts of butterflies in summer. Annual. CN
Stipa cernua (Nassella c.) - listed under Grasses
at end of this section
Streptanthus albidus ssp.
peramoenus -
Brassicaceae, California. An uncommon
subspecies with bright mauve-purple inflated flowers on slender stems. Annual.
Easy. CN
Streptanthus farnsworthianus - Brassicaceae, California. Startling shiny red violet to navy blue
bracts are up to 4” long and 2” wide on this spring annual. Actual small
flowers are white. To 18” tall. Easy to grow. CN
Streptanthus insignis - Brassicaceae, California. A slender spring annual that sends flowers up
from a basal rosette. Showy sterile bracts held at the top are rich, dark
purple; actual flowers are paler, but interesting. Grow in a colony. CN