2008 list
Updated 13 March
2008
Packets contain at least 50 seeds unless otherwise specified.
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
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
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
Centaurium muehlenbergii Gentianaceae, California. Slender annual carries heads of silky clear pink flowers
in spring. Beautiful in a mass, or a meadow. 200+ seed
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 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.
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 flowersmedium 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.
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.
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
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.
Festuca californica Poaceae, California, Oregon. Dark
green leaf blades on 18 full clumps, this winter growing grass is well adapted
to summer dry climates. Airy fl. stems to 4+.
Z8 or less
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.
Gilia achilleifolia - white fl. Polemoniaceae, California.
Rosettes of finely divided green leaves produce fl. stems to 8-10" with
clear white flowers in clusters. Pretty.
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. quarter tsp. seed
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.
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".
Guillenia lemmonii - Brassicaceae, California. Individual flowers are round and pinkish white, set
along long, wand like gray stems. Fairly subtle on its own, but sparkling in
combination with other flowers, or in a mass.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Lepechinia cardiophylla Lamicaceae, California. Pitcher sage with large gray green
leaves and white to palest lavender fls. is
vigorous and can reach 5+. Adaptable in cultivation. Z9
30 seeds
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 soilsand containers. 30 seeds
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
Lotus formosissimus - Fabaceae, California. Found in seasonally moist meadows, this low
perennial can grow to 2' across, and covers itself with bright yellow and
lavender pink pea flowers in spring, with scattered bloom in summer. Z8?
30 seeds
Lotus purshianus Fabaceae, California,
widespread western US. Seen in nature, this annual is straggly and
unimpressive. Cultivation yields dense mats of light green hairy leaves, well
dotted with pretty pink and cream pea flowers. 30 seeds
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
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
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
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
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
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. Needs
good drainage. Z8? 15
seeds limited supply
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
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.
Madia elegans ssp. vernalis - Asteraceae, 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..
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.
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
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
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.
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 in spring or throughout
the summer, depending on culture. Perennial. Seed
collected from cultivated plants. Can
only be sold within California. Z9 ?
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
Nassella cernua - Poaceae, California. Nodding needlegrass. Slender stems
carry long sleek 3" awns on this native bunchgrass. Ornamental
in flower and fruit. Z8
Nassella pulchra - Poaceae, California. Purple needlegrass. State grass of California. Bunchgrass, slightly more robust than
the preceding species. Purplish cast to the very gracefully displayed,
long awned flowers. Z8
Phacelia bolanderi - Hydrophyllaceae, California, Oregon. Lilac flowers are held on spreading stems
over softly hairy, gray green leaves. Effect is subtle, but very pleasing. Good
perennial plant for dry shade. 100+ seeds
Phacelia californica - Hydrophyllaceae,
Californica. 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
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. Very effective.
100+ seeds
Phacelia tanacetifolia Hydrophyllaceae, California. Robust annual can rise to 3 high and carries its dense
lavender flower cymes in abundance in spring and early summer. Often planted in local hedgerows to attract beneficial insects.
Phacelia viscida - Hydrophyllaceae, California. Incredibly bright
blue flowers have white centers and go on for quite a while in spring and
summer. Annual, reseeds readily. 100
seeds
Romanzoffia californica - Hydrophyllaceae, California to Washington. Mist maidens. Low clumps of ruffled leaves are
absolutely covered with dainty white flowers in spring. Must
dry out completely in summer and fall. Easy in
containers. Z7
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
Scrophularia californica -