PAPAVERACEAE. Showy annuals and perennials of western N. America, providing an abundance of brilliant bloom in sunny dry areas.
Eschscholzia californica: 'CALIFORNIA POPPY'.
'CALIFORNIA POPPY', 'COPA DE ORO'. Brilliant orange to yellow 2 - 3" wide glossy flowers followed by narrow 3 - 4" pods. Perennial to 2 feet, with lacy, blue-green leaves. California. Zone 6. Grown as an annual in cold regions. "During the summer, they form a dense carpet of finely cut, blue-green foliage, smothered with a profusion of vivid, glossy flowers."—Booth. The leaves were eaten as a potherb by Indians, and the root used as a pain-killer. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks warm to cool temperatures.
—Eschscholzia californica Orange. (1000) ESCH-1OR. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $18.00
Pound: $35.00
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The classic single buttery orange California flower.
—Eschscholzia californica 'Ballerina Mix'. (500) ESCH-1BAL. Packet: $3.00
Ounce: $12.00
1/4 Pound: $38.00
Unusual crumpled or fluted petals in shades of orange, apricot, rose, white, and dark red, some striped and bicolored. Showy tender perennial.
—Eschscholzia californica 'Mikado'. (1000) ESCH-1K. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $18.00
Mahogany-red single flowers. Showy annual.
—Eschscholzia californica 'Mission Bells'. (1000) ESCH-1MB. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $20.00
Double and semi-double flowers in a wide range of colors including white, rose, coppery, pink, yellow and orange. Popular for easy color. To 12".
—Eschscholzia californica 'Purple Gleam'. (1000) ESCH-1P. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $16.00
Unusual purple-violet flowers. Annual to 15".
—Eschscholzia californica 'White Linen'. (1000) ESCH-1W. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
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Creamy white single flowers. Showy hardy annual.
EUPHORBIA (you-FOR-bee-a)
EUPHORBIACEAE. A huge genus (second largest) of 1600 species, nearly world-wide and ranging from tiny prostrate annuals to shrubs, trees and succulent cactus-like plants. Their cultivation is as varied as their habitats. A rewarding genus to specialize in, the varied forms demonstrating evolution. The sap of some species may cause skin rash and is extremely irritating to the eyes.
—Euphorbia Lathyris. (10) EUPH-75. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $7.50
Ounce: $14.00
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'MOLE PLANT', 'GOPHER PURGE'. Narrow, blue-green, pointed 6" leaves set at right angles to the stem, forming a perfect "X" when seen from above. Hardy biennial to 5 feet, with a cluster of small flowers the second season, followed by round pods. Europe. Zone 6. The milky juice is irritating, and the plants repel certain species of moles and gophers under some conditions, and is also used to remove moles and warts. Nick seed to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Euphorbia marginata. (=variegata) (25) EUPH-82. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $9.00
'SNOW-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN'. Upper leaves and bracts are an attractive white with a green stripe, August to October. Bushy half-hardy annual to 3 1/2 feet or so. Minnesota to Texas. Prechill seed 4 weeks to germinate in 1 - 4 weeks.
"Any excuse will serve a tyrant."—Aesop, 550 BCE.
EXOCHORDA (ek-so-KOR-da)
ROSACEAE. Attractive Asian deciduous shrubs.
—Exochorda racemosa. (25) EXOC-21. Packet: $2.50
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'PEARL BUSH'. Masses of pure white, slightly fragrant 2" flowers in spring. Round shrub to 10 feet. N. China. Zone 4. Name is from the white, pearl-like buds before the flowers. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks warm, and may be improved by a prechill.