2009 list

Updated 31 March 2009

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.

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 Sold out 2009

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 CN

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

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 CN

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 CN

Bromus laevipes - California to Washington. Woodland brome seldom gets consideration as an ornamental. But it graces shady slopes with bright green leaves, is clumping, perennial, and has distinctively drooping flower heads in spring. CN

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 CN

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 CN

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 CN

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

Chaenactis artemisiifolia - Asteraceae, California. Remarkable for its ability to reach 5' in a season, with finely dissected gray leaves set against purplish stems, and dense white heads of "pincushion" flowers in spring and early summer, this California annual is easy and rewarding. CN

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 CN

Chlorogalum pomeridianum - short form - Liliaceae. This seed is from a form with short inflorescences (20 inches) that remain erect rather than sprawling as in taller forms. 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. 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. CN

Clarkia imbricata - white flowers - Onagraceae, Sonoma County, California. Clustered large white flowers at the tips of stems sometimes have pinkish markings. Later to bloom than some other species. Can only be sold in California CN

Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera - Onagraceae, California. The usual shiny deep reddish purple fls. have an unusual white center. Collected from a wild population in Monterey Co. by an astute observer and consistent through cultivation. CN

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'. CN

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'+, blooms for months. CN

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. 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

Collinsia heterophylla x tinctoria - Scrophulariaceae, California. Originally from a wild population, this intermediate seed strain produces exceptionally tall spires of flowers--medium lavender with painted lines. Annual. CN

Collinsia tinctoria - Scrophulariaceae, California. Annual, to 1' or a little more. 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. 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

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. 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 CN

Elymus glaucus - Blue wildrye is a clumping grass with a vase shaped form. Chalky blue flower stems can reach 4' and flower heads are held close to the stems. This selection from 3000' in central California. Z8 or less CN

Eriogonum arborescens - Polygonaceae. A large woody Eriogonum from the northern Channel Islands, with narrow gray green foliage and dusty pink flowers. When grown in full sun and poor soil it forms an almost perfect hemisphere of foliage, crowned with 4" inflorescences that dry to a rusty brown. Seed was collected from plants in the vicinity of E giganteum, with which it occasionally produces handsome hybrids known as E x blissianum. Seed from Matt Teel. CN

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 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. 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. Perfect 18" domes with vivid rose pink round fls. held along wiry interlaced stems brighten the summer and early fall garden. Showy, annual. CN

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 CN

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 CN

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 CN

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

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. CN

Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia - Hydrophyllaceae, California. 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

Festuca californica - blue leaf California, Oregon. Blue-gray 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'+. Seed also available of green leaf form. Z8 or less CN

Gilia achilleifolia - bright blue fl. Polemoniaceae, California. More relaxed in leaf and flower than G. capitata, this population carries cheery bright blue heads of flowers in spring and early summer. 200+ seed CN

Gilia capitata - Polemoniaceae, California. Charming annual is weedy in the nicest way, and produces fls. almost continuously from spring to fall, from repeated self sowings. Bright blue fl. heads are over an inch across. 200+seed CN

Gilia nevinii - Polemoniaceae, San Clemente, Santa Catalina, Guadalupe islands, California. Months of small but abundant starry blue flowers set among feathery leaves assure this charming annual of a place in the garden. 200+ seed CN

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

Helenium puberulum - Asteraceae, California. Charming perennial found at streamsides in California. Airy stems carry round balls of fertile flowers with 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

The naming of the two subspecies below is tentative, and follows local floras. What is certain is the difference in fl. color.

Hemizonia congesta ssp. congesta - Asteraceae, California. Annual tarweed perfumes the summer air with its aromatic foliage, and carries pale cream to soft yellow daisy flowers for a long season. Blooms in August in summer dry pasture. CN

Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulifolia - Asteraceae, California. Annual tarweed perfumes the hot summer air with its aromatic foliage, and carries pretty bright white daisy flowers in late summer and fall. CN

Hemizonia corymbosa - Asteraceae, California. Cheery 1" yellow daisies appear all summer on this well branched coastal annual to 18" with aromatic foliage and an easy constitution. Seed from a collection in Marina, California made many years ago, before asphalt and concrete claimed that rural neighborhood. CN

Horkelia californica - Rosaceae, California. Lax clumps of low green leaves with fringed leaflets have a pleasing scent; small white flowers in spring are dotted over the tidy foliage. Z8 or less 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

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 in sun or part shade. CN

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

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 fls. 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 albifrons var. collinus - Fabaceae, California. Silvery leaves on spreading stems make a low mat; spikes of bright blue purple fls. extend to 18". Spring bloom on this perennial subshrub. 30 seeds CN Sold out 2009

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 - dark pink - Fabaceae, California. This form of chick lupine carries deep pinky mauve flowers over grayish green leaves. Unusual strong flower color for this variable species. 30 seeds CN

Lupinus nanus - Fabaceae, western U.S. Annual with soft lavender blue flowers grows to 15", and blooms with abandon. Sweet "moth ball" fl. fragrance is just another intriguing smell from the California chaparral. 50 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 20 seeds CN

Lupinus succulentus 'Rodeo Rose' - Fabaceae, California. 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

Lupinus truncatus - Fabaceae, California. Easy annual lupine combines bright green leaves and rich purple flowers on spikes to 10". Blooming can continue for months if plants receive moderate water. 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. Seeds gathered from plants with pale yellow, solid bright yellow, and yellow and white patterned flowers. 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

Malacothrix coulteri - Asteraceae, California. Green leaves produce curiously patterned black and white fl. buds on the annual Snake's-head. Buds open to very pretty white, chicory style daisies, sometimes with creamy yellow centers. CN

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 scarlet monkeyflower found on Santa Cruz Island. Z7 CN

Mimulus guttatus -low form Scrophulariaceae, western U.S. 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 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

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

Monardella villosa - Lamiaceae, California. Low shrublets with roundish green leaves and dense heads of lavender flowers in late spring and summer. This form to 12", and originally from Sonoma County. Z8 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

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 an 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

Poa secunda - California. Pine bluegrass quickly forms soft low clumps. Spring flowers are a charming combination of green with hints of purple. Foliage goes dormant with summer drought. CN

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

Salvia carduacea - California. Pale lavender blue flowers with an incredibly frilly lower lip are borne in spiny, cobwebby heads. Annual, good in containers. Z8 30 seeds CN

Salvia columbariae - California, southwest U.S. Chia is a great annual for open ground. Round heads of bright blue flowers on very straight stems. Plants can bloom at 4" or 2', depending on cultural conditions. 50 seeds CN

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 spathacea - California. A matting perennial with the sweetest smelling rough green leaves, pitcher sage produces thick spikes of dark pink flowers in spring and early summer. To 2'. Z8 30 seeds CN

Scrophularia californica - chartreuse fl. Scrophulariaceae, California. The typical figwort has small dark red flowers; this seed strain has the same small flowers but they are a striking yellow green. Perennial, to 5'+. Z7 CN

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

Thermopsis macrophylla - Fabaceae, California. Rhizomatous perennial to 2-4' with fuzzy light green leaves and spikes of golden pea flowers in spring. Common name is false lupine or golden pea. Z8 30 seeds CN

Trichostema lanceolatum - Lamiaceae, California. Fall blooming annual vinegar weed has long spikes of intricate light blue flowers and distinctively pungent light green leaves. Bushlets to 18", best with good drainage. 30 seeds CN

A closer look at the California clovers has been very rewarding. Seeds offered are from annual species with richly colored flowers and often they have interesting patterns on their leaves too. Special thanks to Randall Morgan for sharing seeds. Hot water treatment for best germination.

Trifolium fucatum - Fabaceae, California, Oregon. A very nice annual from wet meadows, lush green leaves often have interesting brown and silver markings. Large flower heads start out creamy white and age to a light rosy pink. CN

Trifolium phaeocephalum Greene - Fabaceae, California. Flowers are darkest purple and white on this species; and can appear for a long time if season is mild. Some markings on the leaves. Classified in Jepson under T. variegatum. CN

Trifolium virescens Greene - Fabaceae, California, Oregon. Lush green leaves form strong clumps on this annual; good sized flower heads start out bright greenish yellow and age to vivid rose. A very ornamental clover; also used by native Americans. Some of the seedlings may have dark patterns on the leaves. CN

Trifolium willdenovii - Fabaceae, W. United States. Thin leaves and many rich purple and white flowers on rounded heads. Some seedlings have burgundy leaves. Annual. Good on heavy soils. CN

Triteleia laxa - Liliaceae, California. Large clusters of upfacing violet blue trumpets appear on sturdy stalks in late spring. Easy from seed, let dry in summer. Stems to 2'+. CN

Verbena lilacina - Verbenaceae, Baja California. Densely mounding verbena to 2' high and wide. Fragrant heads of lilac flowers in spring and summer.