MACFADYENA (mac-fad-YAY-na)
BIGNONIACEAE. Several species of tropical American woody vines, grown for their showy flowers. Good in mild climates with hot summers.
—Macfadyena Unguis-cati (=Doxantha unguis-cati) (e,h) MACF-10. Packet: $2.50
'CAT'S CLAW'. Bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers to 2 - 4" wide, in early spring, followed by foot-long pods. Glossy green leaves bearing claw-like tendrils; will climb anything. Tall vine to 40 feet. Tropical America. To Zone 8. Cut back hard after flowering. Germinates in 3 - 6 weeks, a few stragglers taking up to 20 weeks.
MELIANTHUS (me-lee-AN -thus)
MELIANTHACEAE. Evergreen, sun-loving S. African shrubs grown in mild climates for their attractive unusual foliage, and spikes of nectar-rich flowers.
—Melianthus major. (10) MELH-12. Packet: $4.00
'HONEY FLOWER'. Inch-long brownish-red tubular flowers in foot-long spikes, August to November. Handsome shrub to 10 feet, with 1 1/2 foot blue-green pinnate leaves. S. Africa. Zone 7. Germinates in 1 - 8 weeks.
MELOTHRIA (me-lo-THREE-a)
CUCURBITACEAE. Annual and perennial tendril-climbing vines grown for ornament. Start early indoors, germinates in about 5 - 10 days. Easy.
—Melothria scabra. (c,h) MELO-40. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $15.00
Egg shaped inch-long green & white striped or mottled fruits resembling tiny watermelons. Fast-growing annual with lobed leaves. México. Fruits are "...tasty and crunchy, used in salads or stir-fry."—Lacherez. They are pickled in México.
MIRABILIS
—Mirabilis Jalapa Marbles Yellow-Red. MIRA-6YR. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $8.00, 100 gm: $26.00
Large flowers splashed, mottled, and speckled red and yellow. Choice!
MONODORA Myristica: See Reserved Access page.
MONTIA (MON-tee-a)
PORTULACACEAE. Widespread small annuals or perennials with small flowers.
—Montia perfoliata. (b,g) MONT-10. Packet: $2.50
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'MINER'S LETTUCE'. Bright green annual to 6 - 12", noted for the unusual cup-like leaf below the spike of small white flowers. Young leaves narrow, broadening as the plant matures. W N. America. Shady places. Excellent in salads, called 'miner's lettuce' as it was eaten by the gold rush miners. It is one of the first wild plants we learned to eat as kids growing up in California. Can be grown as a cut-and-come-again greens. Germinates best with GA-3.
NELUMBO (ne-LUM-bo)
NELUMBONACEAE. Large, strong-growing aquatic plants with large round leaves held above the water, and huge flowers followed by ornamental flat-topped seed pods used in dried arrangements. Good in large ponds and shallow water where the tubers will be out of reach of frost. Can be grown in large tubs. File through outer layer of seed coat (not to the quick) & soak in water. In a few days to a week they will swell and float (in nature dispersing them), then they sink and shoots emerge in about 10 - 15 days. Plant in pots or weight with clay and drop in a pond. Seed viable 150 to 1000 years.
—Nelumbo nucifera. (10,h) NELU-17. Packet: $3.00
Germination: 90% Tested: 7/09, 1/4 lb: $12.00 (about 125 seed)
'HINDU LOTUS', 'SACRED LOTUS'. Fragrant pink or rose flowers 4 - 10" across. Round leaves 1 - 3 feet across, held 3 - 6 feet above the water. Ornamental seed pods. S. Asia. The flower is held sacred throughout the East, being the symbol of the world, its wheel-like form representing the eternal cycles of existence. Deities are often represented seated upon its center, and in China it is the symbol of purity, truth, and summer. The seeds are eaten raw, roasted or boiled and are said to taste like filberts or pine-nuts. The roots are eaten sliced, pickled in salt and vinegar, or pounded for starch. The tender root-shoots are eaten boiled, and the stems are eaten in Japan, and are said to taste like beets. The petals are used in soups & the stamens for flavoring tea. The leaves are used as plates, and all parts are valued in Chinese medicine.
Click for photos on how to germinate Nelumbo »
Step 1, Use a file:
Proper amount of nicking:
Soaking the seed:
And a week or ten days later, they sprout:
Voila!NICOTIANA
—Nicotiana glutinosa. (1000) NICO-16. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $19.00
Photos and info
Article on anti-fungal diterpenes
Soft pink. inch-wide chalice-shaped flowers on a large, sticky-downy annual. Peru and Bolivia. The leaves produce anti-fungal compounds.
STANDARD BURLEY VARIETIES:
—Nicotiana Tabacum VA 509. (a!,h) NICO-36VB. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50, 5 grams: $30.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Medium-early maturing stand-up burley that produces high quality and good yield. Stand-up varieties hold their leaves higher off the ground, keeping them cleaner. Certified Kentucky-grown seed.
Disease resistance levels:
Black Shank Race 0: Medium resistance.
Black Shank Race 1: Medium resistance.
Black Root Rot: Medium low resistance.
Fusarium Wilt: Low resistance.
Wildfire: High resistance.
VIRGINIA TOBACCO VARIETIES:
—Nicotiana Tabacum Walker's Broadleaf. (a!,h) NICO-36WB. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50, 5 grams: $30.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
An old Virginia variety, long grown. Medium-sized wide leaves that are spaced closely on the stalk.
OCIMUM
—Ocimum gratissimum (=urticifolium) (b,h) OCIM-3. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $19.00
'TREE BASIL', 'EAST INDIAN BASIL'. White or purple tinged flowers in 6 - 9" long spikes. Woody shrub to 4 - 8 feet tall, with highly aromatic, sweet-scented 4" leaves used in cooking. India, Africa, S. America. Said to repel mosquitoes, and is planted around houses for this purpose. Used to flavor tobacco in Africa. Grows well in the warm areas of the U.S., especially recommended for S. California. Grow as annual in cold areas. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
OPLOPANAX (op-LO-pa-nax)
ARALIACEAE. Deciduous shrubs.
—Oplopanax horridum. OPLO-11. Packet: $2.50
Fresh moist seed, prechilled since October.
DEVIL'S CLUB'. White flowers in umbels followed by scarlet fruits. Stout shrub with striking palmate leaves. Alaska to California. Hardy to 20°F below zero or more. Valuable medicinal roots.
ORNITHOGALUM (or-ni-tho-GAL-um)
LILIACEAE. Widely distributed Eastern Hemisphere bulbs. The hardy kinds are fairly carefree and good for naturalizing and wild gardens. Tender species good in pots in the greenhouse or in California. As good as tulips & freesias in pots. Good cut flowers.
—Ornithogalum fimbrimarginatum. (d,h) ORNI-14. Packet: $2.50
White flower-spikes over a long bloom period. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Ornithogalum nutans. (e,h) ORNI-27. Packet: $2.50
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(With Muscari caucasicum)'NODDING STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM'. Large, nodding, 2" wide flowers are white inside, green edged white outside, in 3 - 12 flowered racemes, in spring. Hardy perennial (Zone 5) to 20", with pale green grass-like leaves. Middle East. A fine bulb. Excellent for naturalizing. Germinates in 8 - 12 weeks at 40°F, blooms midsummer. "Just meant to be planted with Muscari caucasicum."—Bertrand.
OSMARONIA (oz-ma-RO-nee-a)
ROSACEAE. A single species.
—Osmaronia cerasiformis. (30) OSMR-2. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $10.00
'OSO BERRY', 'OREGON PLUM'. Fragrant white 1/3" flowers followed by blue-black 1/2" berries, edible when fully ripe. Shrub to 15 feet, with light green foliage. W. N. America. Zone 6. Best in the shade. Sow in fall or prechill 2 - 4 months.
OXYTROPIS
—Oxytropis megalantha. (e,h) OXYT-156. Packet: $2.50
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Large purple-violet 1" pea-like flowers in small clusters held above the silvery-grey mound of pinnate foliage. To 4" high and 8" across with age. Japan. "The leaves are just as silvery as it gets. Blooms all summer."—Bertrand. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
PELARGONIUM (pe-lar-GO-nee-um)
GERANIACEAE. Widely distributed herbs and succulents grown for their showy flowers or scented leaves. Excellent for bedding or house plants. Easily grown in well-drained soil, in full sun outdoors, or in cool part of the greenhouse. Keep on the dry side in winter. Blooms best when pot bound, and many are good in hanging baskets. Germinates best with a light nicking, in 1 - 8 weeks. Seed viable about 3 years.
—Pelargonium cordifolium. PELA-32. Packet: $2.50
Photo Photo
Large pink-purple 1 1/4" flowers with darker veins, in heads of up to 8 blooms, spring and summer. Shrubby tender perennial to 3 - 5 feet, with 2" heart-shaped leaves. South Africa.
—Pelargonium mollicomum. (e,h) PELA-99. Packet: $2.50
Creamy white flowers with pink or red veining. Tender perennial with aromatic fuzzy leaves. Forms small tubers. S. Africa. Said to have a 'fruity' scent. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
PENSTEMON
—Penstemon spectabilis. PENS-149. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $10.00
Photo Many photos
'SHOWY PENSTEMON'. Showy purple inch-long flowers in 6 - 17" long panicles, April to June. Perennial to 3 - 4 feet. S. California to N.M. Drought resistant. Germinates readily, blooms the first year. Sow in fall in California.
—Penstemon tenuis. (3000) PENS-170. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $10.00
Photos and Info
'BRAZOS PENSTEMON'. Light purple flowers abundantly produced from March to June on a perennial to 1 1/2 feet. Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana. Zone 7. Good in moist spots and heavy soil, but tolerates drought. Good cut flowers.
PEROVSKIA (pe-ROV-skee-a)
LABIATAE. Hardy, easily grown shrubby perennials from central Asia, grown for their attractive grey foliage and blue flowers. Stands heat, cold, drought.
—Perovskia atriplicifolia. (d,h) PERO-4. Packet: $2.50
'RUSSIAN SAGE'. Lavender blue 1/3" flowers in foot-long spikes, July to September. Aromatic grey-green 2 1/2" leaves with sage-like scent. Hardy shrubby perennial to 3 - 5 feet. Iran to Pakistan. The flowers are sweet and eaten in salads. "Handsome shrub, valuable for its late blue flowers, forming a pleasing contrast with the silvery gray stems."—Rehder. Leaves said to be smoked. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
PHACELIA
—Phacelia grandiflora. (1000) PHAC-2S. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $15.00
'GIANT-FLOWERED PHACELIA'. Huge blue flowers over 1 1/2" wide, in dense cymes. Hardy annual to 3 1/2 feet. Southern California. Stunning! Germination improved by smoke treatment.
—Phacelia Parryi. (1000) PHAC-64. Packet: $2.50
Intense royal purple 1/2" flowers on an annual to 2 feet. Southern California and Mexico. Germination helped by smoke treatment.
—Phacelia tanacetifolia. (a!,h) PHAC-15. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 68% Tested: 2/10, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $12.00, lb: $32.00
'BEE FOOD', 'FIDDLENECK'. Fragrant, clover-scented blue to lavender 1/2" flowers in dense curved spikes in summer. Profusely blooming hardy annual to 1 1/2 - 3 feet, with finely cut ferny leaves. California to México. Excellent honey plant, good in heavy soil. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
PICEA (PEE-see-a)
PINACEAE. Attractive N. Hemisphere, conifers with pendulous cones. Grown for ornament or timber. Most soils and zones, and easy from seed.
—Picea jezoensis. (b,v) PICA-22. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $9.00, Oz: $30.00
'YEZO SPRUCE'. Tree to 150 feet, with short, glossy dark green 3/4" needles, white below. Grey flaking bark and 3" red young cones that turn brown in fall. Japan & N. Asia. Zone 2. Prechill seed 3 weeks, but will give some germination warm.
—Picea likiangensis. (b,h) PICA-26. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $12.00
'LIJIANG SPRUCE'. Tree to 100 feet, with green to blue-green 1/2" needles. Grey scaly bark and 3" cones that may be reddish or purple when young. SW China and Tibet. Zone 7. "In April and May when loaded with its male flowers and brilliant red young cones it is spectacularly beautiful."—Hilliers. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks warm.
—Picea purpurea. (b,g) PICA-44. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 32% Tested: 9/09, 1/4 Oz: $7.50, Oz: $22.00
'PURPLE-CONED SPRUCE'. Tree to 150 feet, with deep green 1/2" needles, blue-green below. Scaly, flaking orange-brown bark and deep violet-purple young cones. China. Zone 5. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
POGOSTEMON (po-go-STEM-on)
LABIATAE. Tropical Asian herbs for fragrance.
—Pogostemon heyneanus. (500) POGO-H. Packet: $3.00
'INDIAN PATCHOULI'. Small purple flowers in spikes on a shrubby tropical perennial to 5 - 6 feet, with highly fragrant leaves. Tropical Asia. Prefers full to part shade, good houseplant. One of the main sources of patchouli oil.
PORTULACA (por-tu-LA-ka)
PORTULACEAE. 'MOSS ROSE'. Somewhat succulent low-growing herbs grown for their brilliant flowers or as potherbs. Sun lovers, preferring poor, dry, light soils and only a little water, providing a showy, dense carpet of color in hot areas where other flowers would soon perish. Try several to a 6" pot. Sow in March at 65 - 75°F, or outdoors in April. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks. Seed viable 3 - 10 years, and some up to 45 years.
—Portulaca grandiflora Single Mix. (a!,h) PORT-1SX. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 12/09, Gram: $7.50, 5 gm: $15.00
Large single flowers in a range of colors. This is the old-fashioned type not often seen nowadays.
PRIMULA
—Primula veris Sunset Shades. (60) PRIM-165S. Packet: $3.00
Flowers in shades of red, orange, ochre, and yellow, from March to May. Hardy perennial to 10".
PSOPHOCARPUS tetragonolobus: See Reserved Access page.
PSORALEA (so-RA-lee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Many attractive ornamental scented herbs and shrubs. Valuable in the border. Blue, purple or white flowers in racemes or spikes. Some are hardy, others are greenhouse plants.
—Psoralea esculenta. (e,h) PSOR-7. Packet: $3.00
'PRAIRIE TURNIP', 'INDIAN BREADROOT'. Yellow to blue flowers in dense 4" spikes in late spring. Hardy perennial to 4 - 20", with 1 - 2" leaflets. Saskatchewan to Oklahoma. The egg-sized root is edible and prized by the Indians, eaten raw, boiled, roasted, dried, etc. It is said to be somewhat like the chestnut in texture and flavor. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks or so.
PULMONARIA (pul-mo-NAR-ee-a)
BORAGINACEAE. About a dozen spring-flowering Eurasian perennials. Easily grown in part shade.
—Pulmonaria officinalis. (e,l) PULM-18. Packet: $2.50
'LUNGWORT', 'JERUSALEM COWSLIP'. Funnel-shaped pink 3/4" flowers changing to violet, in forked cymes, March to April. Hardy perennial to 10", with pointed, often white-spotted leaves. Slowly spreads by rhizomes to form nice patches. Europe. "They are among the most elegant ornaments of the flower-garden..."—Loudon, 1829. The young leaves have been eaten in salads or as pot-herbs, and have been used for lung complaints. Seed needs cold treatment or GA-3 to germinate in 1 month.