2016 list

Updated 22 January 2016

The Plantsman's Pocket is a more formal name for the seed offerings of a horticultural ally with very diverse plant interests. Ordering information is on the How to Order link on the main page.

Seeds offered in this section are $5.00 per packet.

Arisaema consanguinea -Araceae, China. Another propeller-leaved, summer growing species achieving quite a bit of presence in the garden as it approaches 5 ft. in height. When the shoot emerges in the late spring/early summer it shoots up with amazing speed and in deeper shade may need to be staked. Each leaflet has a long thread on its end. The flower is borne just below the elegant leaf blades and is of variable color, most being apple-green with a brick red cast, but a few may be deep chocolate brown with yellowish veins -good luck! Another easy plant in a woodland setting.   20 seeds

Beschorneria albiflora - Agavaceae, S. Mexico, trunk forming monocot. This is the only species of the genus, (close relatives to Agave) that forms a trunk. In time it can exceed 6’. The dense rosettes of soft textured (user friendly), avocado green leaves are 2.5 to 3’ across. The inflorescences can be 5’ in length and 4’ across. The stalk and side branches turn vivid red and maintain the color for months. The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds, mature over a 2 month period, and are cream or chartreuse flushed with salmon pink. Although most species are from dry woodlands and appreciate a bit of shade, this one thrives in light shade to full sun in coastal CA. Sow the seeds in late spring with warm weather. Plants survived 16 deg. F. without damage in the 1990 freeze. 30 seeds

Beschorneria wrightii - Agavaceae, Mexico. This species forms tight rosettes of narrow green leaves. Good for dry shade, best with occasional summer water. One of the smaller species, but varies with resources provided: from 12" across with 18" unbranched inflorescences in bright, lean conditions, up to 2.5' across with 4.5' branched inflorescences (with good red color) in richer soils with more frequent water. Sow in spring/warm weather, 12 seeds per packet 

Bessera elegans - Themidaceae. From southwestern Mexico this summer growing geophyte has long, slender, fleshy leaves with pink feet, and umbels of exquisite, parasol-like flowers raised 18-24" high on wiry stems. Coloring ranges from bright orange-red to magenta-purple with paired cream patches separated by a dark line on each petal. Prominent pollen masses may be yellow, green, or blue. The corms must be kept completely dry in winter and until emergence of foliage in warm weather when generous watering and feeding soon brings a spectacular reward. Seed offered is from a cross between red and magenta flowering Bessera, and should yield a range of colors in the progeny. 2 to 3 years from seed to flowering. 8 seeds per packet

Canarina canariensis - Campanulaceae, Canary Islands. photo A summer dormant, herbaceous perennial from growing tuberous roots and producing orange, lantern-like, terminal, pendant flowers with attractive dark veins inside. Form varies from scandent shrub in bright shade to a vine needing support in full shade. Grows to about 3 feet in length/width, but can reach 8 feet under favorable conditions. No water required all summer, but it is well tolerated in a garden setting. New growth in fall has an attractive violet cast. Two individuals are needed (and pollinating birds) for production of walnut-sized, sweet, edible fruit. Surface sow in fall, covering pots for humidity. Feed well each fall to quicken time to first flowering (~3 years) Seldom available, limited quantities, 10 seeds per packet

Cuphea schumannii – Lythraceae, Mexico. Orange cuphea, Schumann's cuphea.  Smooth, medium green leaves, with orange tubular flowers that have bright purple "ears".  Stems tend to sprawl unless supported.  Grows to about 5 feet. Flowers year round in frost-free climates. A favorite of hummingbirds.  Z9b 25 seeds

Dierama atrum - Iridaceae, E. South Africa. This is the species with the darkest flowers, maroon to purple-black, each a quarter inch long and half inch wide borne in large numbers on 4 to 5' stalks. Summer flowering. Sow at any season, water year round. 10 seeds per packet

Dierama erectum - Iridaceae, E South Africa. This species, endangered in the wild, is the only member of the genus with erect flowers, showing attractive nectar guide makings in the throat. The branched inflorescence is about 4' tall with exceptionally dense clusters of pink to lavender flowers. Sow at any season. Water year round, 8 seeds per packet 

Dilatris pillansii - Haemodoraceae, South Africa. Herbaceous perennial to 18" in height and width with fans of deep green, narrow 8" leaves tinged orange toward the base. The long lasting, intricately branched inflorescences are produced freely and each bears hundreds of fuzzy, mauve flowers about an inch across. As the flowers age they may develop a soft orange tinge. This is the easiest species to germinate and grow. Individual plants will eventually bear many inflorescences. Treat seeds with smoke extract (included) and sow in fall. 10 seeds per packet.

Dilatris viscosa - Haemodoraceae, South Africa. Herbaceous perennial to 2' in height and width. This is by far the most beautiful species with fans of gray-green leaves to 1', tinged orange toward the base, producing exquisite inflorescences bearing hundreds of star-like, yellow and tangerine flowers. More difficult to germinate than the previous species and leaves can be discolored by a hypersensitivity response to fungi as in Anigozanthos. (Cut discolored leaves promptly as new growth appears.) Treat seeds with smoke extract (included) and sow in fall. 8 seeds per packet.

Gladiolus flanaganii - Iridaceae. The famous (infamous?) suicide glad produces 2", rich blood red flowers with white linear markings in the throat on arching spikes above gray-green foliage. It is so named because it is usually seen from a distance in inaccessible locations midway along steep waterfalls and cliffs high in the Drakensberg of Eastern S. Africa. Summer growing. Apparently hardy to USDA zone 8a (10 deg. F). Needs good air circulation and consistent watering for best flowering. Easy to germinate and grow.      25 seeds per packet.

Nivenia corymbosa - Iridaceae, South Africa. One of the winter-growing woody irids that grow into true woody shrubs and produce hundreds of gentian blue flowers in the heat of summer. The more sun, the more flowers. This is the easiest species to grow and large container plants in full sun will flower from June to November. Grow in a well drained sandy mix with peat. Seed should be sown in fall or winter (in coastal California) and may take a month to six weeks to germinate.   20 seeds

Paris polyphylla - Melanthiaceae, China. This Trillium relative is easier to grow and produces elegant pinwheels of 6 or more petiolate leaves, each 5 by 3" on 1 to 2 .5' stems in late spring. The very unusual flower is held above the leaves; petals are reduced to long, pale, antenna-like structures. Prominent stamens are bright orange above a large blue to purple ovary. The current subject of research for a wide range of medicinal attributes. Seed offered is a mix of P. polyphylla var. polyphylla (as above) and var. stenophylla (up to 22 sessile leaves per whorl each 6 by 1 in.) Frost hardy. Seed should be sown without cleaning in fall for a cool moist period before spring germination.     10 seeds per packet Sold out 2016

Sinningia iarae - Gesneriaceae, Brazil. photo Fuzzy green leaves, with pink flowers. Upper lobes of the corolla are joined and form a hood-like structure. Stems, pedicels and backs of the leaves can be flushed red. Top of tuber dome shaped.
Sinningia insularis – Gesneriaceae, Brazil. photo Many clusters of orange-red flowers are displayed over dark green leaves on this easy, prolific species. Tubers get substantial.

Sinningia sellovii – Gesneriaceae. photo South American perennial known as the hardy red gloxinia. Leaves have a stiff quilted texture. Two forms are offered: one will produce only dusty pink flowers, the other “produces some that are pink and some that are pink and yellow, turning butter yellow in hot weather." Both forms attract much interest from hummingbirds. Good container plant. Please specify color form desired. Z8