HALORAGIDACEAE. Southern hemisphere plants.
NEW—Haloragis erecta purpurea 'Wellington Bronze'. (10) HALO-8P. Packet: $2.50
'TOATOA'. Bronze-red serrated foliage and red- dish flowers and pinkish fruits. Hardy perennial to 16". New Zealand. Zone 5. Germination may be irregular, and GA-3 helps.
HEIMIA (HY-mee-a)
LYTHRACEAE. Several attractive shrubs of the Americas, grown for their handsome foliage and delicate yellow flowers. Nice little shrubs for warm regions or the greenhouse. Sow the minute seed on the surface, germinates readily and transplants easily. Drought tolerant once established.
—Heimia salicifolia. (1000) HEIM-10. Packet: $2.50
'SINICUICHE'. Clear yellow, 5-petaled, 1 - 1 1/2" wide flowers from horned buds. The petals are delicate, satiny and crinkled. July to September. Much branched shrub to 3 - 10 feet, with willow-like leaves to 3 3/4" long. Central America. Easily grown beautiful ornamental for California and the South, or may be pinched as an attractive tub plant in the North. Zone 8. Germinates in 2 weeks.
"Busy, curious, thirsty fly, Drink with me, and drink as I."—William Oldys, On a Fly Drinking out of a Cup of Ale, (1696 - 1761).
HELIANTHELLA (he-lee-an-THEL-la)
COMPOSITAE. Yellow-flowered perennials native to the Western states. Most are hardy and easily grown in a variety of soils, and are valued for their showy fall display.
—Helianthella quinquenervis. (100) HELT-20. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $8.00
'ASPEN SUNFLOWER'. Large nodding yellow sunflower-like 3 - 5" wide blooms on long stems. Hardy perennial to 2 - 5 feet, with narrow leaves up to 20" long. Rocky Mountain meadows. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks, and GA-3 helps some.
HELIANTHUS (hee-lee-AN-thus)
COMPOSITAE. 'SUNFLOWER'. Large hardy annuals and perennials grown for their large showy flowers. Excellent in the back border, and are ideal for bird and wildlife food. The flowers of various species range from 1 - 12" or more across, and in height from 1 to 20 feet. Easily grown in most soils. Plant outside as early as possible to miss heavy frosts, to germinate in about 1 - 3 weeks. For early flowers, start indoors as early as February or March, to germinate in about 10 days at 60 - 65°F. Plant out in April or May. Heat and drought resistant. Best planted in masses in large gardens where "their magnificent flowers... assume an air of regal splendor."—Booth.
—Helianthus annuus 'Autumn Beauty'. (100) HELA-6AB. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $5.00
1/4 pound: $9.00
Many 6" flowers in shades of yellow, bronze and mahogany red, with a darker zone. Branching habit to 7 feet. An interesting mixture. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
NEW—Helianthus annuus 'Carosel'. (100) HELA-6CAR. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $15.00
Lemon-yellow 4 - 6" flowers covering a dwarf, compact, multi-branched annual to 3 - 4 feet.
—Helianthus annuus 'Chocolate Cherry'. (100) HELA-6CC. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $5.00
1/4 pound: $15.00
Pound: $30.00
Deep burgundy 5 - 8" flowers on a hardy annual to 6 - 7 feet.
NEW—Helianthus annuus 'Midnight Rouge'. (100) HELA-6MD. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $5.00
1/4 Pound: $12.00
Rich burgundy-red 3 - 6" flowers with deep brown centers on a branching annual to 4 - 6 feet. Good for cut-flower production.
—Helianthus annuus 'Velvet Queen'. (200) HELA-6VQ. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 pound: $12.00
Rusty-red 5" flowers on plants to 5 - 6 feet. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
Helianthus debilis. (=cucumerifolius) Varieties:
'CUCUMBER LEAVED SUNFLOWER'. A fine bushy annual with many 4" flowers on branching stems, unlike the single large flower of H. annuus. Most grow to 3 - 5 feet tall, space 2 feet apart. North America. The best species for cut flowers.
—Helianthus debilis 'Ice Cream'. (250) HELA-12IC. Packet $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 pound: $25.00
Creamy white 4" flowers with chocolate centers and golden halo. Abundant flowers on branching stems. Hardy annual to 5 feet. Good cut flowers and attracts bees and butterflies.
—Helianthus Maximiliani. (100) HELA-30. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $20.00
'MAXIMILIAN SUNFLOWER'. Yellow 3" sunflowers from July to October on a hardy perennial to 2 - 10 feet tall. Narrow, foot-long leaves. Plains, Manitoba to Texas. Zone 4. The thick tubers were eaten by the Sioux and other peoples. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks.
HELIOPSIS (hee-lee-OP-sis)
COMPOSITAE. 'SUN GLORY'. Showy sunflower-like hardy perennials valued for their large summer bloom in the border. Makes good cut flowers. Sow seed from early spring up to August, to germinate in 10 - 15 days. Blooms the first year if started early.
—Heliopsis scabra 'Bleeding Hearts'. (20) HELO-24BH. Packet: $4.00
Large fiery-red and orange-red 4" flowers, July to frost. Hardy perennial to 4 feet, with dark purple leaves and black stems. Zone 3. Flowers the first year. A stunning selection.
—Heliopsis scabra 'Burning Hearts'. (15) HELO-24B. Packet: $4.00
Large golden 4" flowers with vivid red centers, July to frost. Hardy perennial to 4 feet, with deep purple leaves and black stems. Zone 3. Good cut flower and blooms the first year. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
NEW—Heliopsis scabra 'New Hybrids'. (50) HEL0-24NH. Packet: $2.50
Double and semi-double lemon to orange-yellow flowers. Hardy perennial to 3 feet. Zone 3.
—Heliopsis scabra 'Summer Nights'. (25) HELO-24N. Packet: $4.00
Gram: $7.50 BULK OUT OF STOCK - packets are available
An outstanding variety with golden 4" flowers with orange-red centers, July to frost. Hardy perennial to 4 feet, with red stems and purplish-red foliage. Zone 3. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
HELIOTROPIUM (hee-lee-o-TRO-pee-um)
BORAGINACEAE. 'HELIOTROPE'. Popular half-hardy annuals and perennials grown for their very fragrant purple, violet or white flowers in coiled racemes. Old fashioned favorites for cut flowers, as pot and greenhouse plants, and in the border. They like light, rich soil in a sunny, protected place. Start seed early indoors to germinate in about 1 - 12 weeks, pot up or plant out in May, spacing 12". Do not fertilize, as this lessens their fragrance. Can be grown in the same pot for several years. The seed can remain viable for more than 50 years.
Heliotropium arborescens Varieties:
'HELIOTROPE', 'CHERRY PIE'. Tender perennial with tiny, extraordinarily fragrant, vanilla-scented flowers in massive dense clusters. Can become shrubby in mild climates. Sun or part shade in hot areas. Peru. Zone 9. Cultivated since 1757. The modern varieties unfortunately may lack fragrance.
—Heliotropium arborescens 'Marine'. (250) HELR-2M. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
5 grams: $25.00
Giant 12" clusters of deep violet-blue sweetly scented flowers produced all summer above the dark green wrinkled foliage. Tender perennial to 2 feet. Excellent pot or bedding plant. Germinates in 1 - 12 weeks.
HELLEBORUS (he-LE-bor-us)
RANUNCULACEAE. 'HELLEBORE'. Attractive long-lived hardy perennials valued for their very early bloom (some in late winter), and handsome foliage. Best in part shade and moist soil, admirably suited to planting under trees and in shrubbery. They make excellent cut flowers and are easily forced. Seed germinates best if given 2 periods of cold treatment, otherwise they may hold over 2 winters. Sow in fall or give 30 - 60 days cold, then 60 days warm, then 30 - 60 days cold, to germinate in 30 - 60 days. Freezing once in each cold period may help. Space 12". Good results have been obtained by starting at warm temperatures for 1 - 3 months, then move to cold, for germination at cold temperatures.
—Helleborus niger. (25) HELB-10. Packet: $3.50
Click for photos »
'CHRISTMAS ROSE'. Very large white flushed pinkish 2 - 4" saucer-shaped flowers bloom very early, December to April. Elegant hardy perennial to 1 1/2 feet, with dark green divided leaves. Europe. Zone 3. Best in cold-winter climates. The poisonous root was used medicinally and was once used to bless cattle as protection from evil spirits, and was used by sorcerers of legend to become invisible.
HEMEROCALLIS (he-mer-o-KAL-is)
LILIACEAE. 'DAYLILY'. Hardy, free-flowering tuberous rooted Eurasian perennials prized for their showy bloom. Easily grown, pest free, thriving with neglect. Almost any soil, full sun or part shade. Easy to naturalize. forming large clumps. Mixed types germinate at 70°F, with further germination if unsprouted seeds are moved to 40°F.
—Hemerocallis Fine Mixed. (25) HEME-FX. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $15.00
Ounce: $40.00
Click for photos »
'DAYLILY'. Seed from a fine collection from the full spectrum of day lilies—colors from yellow and orange through red, purple and pink to near white. Flower sizes from miniature to 6", and many ruffled and a few spider types. Includes named types like Stella De Oro and Catherine Woodbury, and a full range of heights and bloom times. Excellent. Zone 4. Easy but irregular from seed, most germinating in 1 - 8 weeks warm, best in the dark, but some lots need 4 -8 weeks prechill.
"Moral indignation is envy with a halo."—H. G. Wells.
HESPERALOE (hes-per-AL-o)
LILIACEAE or AGAVACEAE. Several stemless plants resembling Yucca. Narrow leaves from a bulbous base. Long flower-spikes. Easily grown; treat like Agave or Yucca. Excellent for desert areas.
—Hesperaloe parviflora. (10) HESO-19. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $7.50
Photo Whole Plant Flower-Stalk
'RED YUCCA'. Bright dark to light red inch-long flowers on red stems to 6 feet tall, May to July. Inch wide, gracefully arching reddish green leaves to 4 feet long, the edges with conspicuous threadlike frayed edges. S.W. Texas. Hardy to 0°F (Zone 7). Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
HESPERIS (HES-per-is)
CRUCIFERAE. Hardy Eurasian biennials and perennials grown for their bright, often fragrant flowers.
—Hesperis matronalis Mix. (100) HESP-6X. Packet: $1.50
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $10.00
'SWEET ROCKET', 'DAME'S VIOLET', 'DAMASK VIOLET'. Very sweet scented, showy purple-violet or white flowers in large pyramidal clusters from June to August. Hardy biennial or perennial to 3 feet. Eurasia. Zone 3. Space 18". Good cut flower; a few mixed in a bouquet will scent a room. Full sun or part shade. An old-fashioned cottage garden favorite. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
HEUCHERA (hew-KER-a)
SAXIFRAGACEAE. 'ALUM ROOT'. Popular native North American wildflowers. Airy clusters of dainty flowers held above clumps of broad, heart-shaped, lobed leaves. Though mostly inhabiting rocky cliffs, streambanks, and mountains, they thrive in full sun or part shade in ordinary moist garden soil. Good for cutting and florist work. Sow on surface in late fall to early spring. Germinates in 1 - 10 weeks at cool temperatures. Seed half-life 3 years.
—Heuchera americana 'Dale's Strain'. (500) HEU-4D. Packet: $2.50
Beautiful foliage, the 2 - 3" lobed leaves marbled purple and white, edged with green. Tiny creamy flowers in airy panicles, June to September. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, very variable in coloring. E. N. America. Zone 4. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks or so. Best with light and KNO3.
—Heuchera 'Newest O.P. Hybrids'. (500) HEU-NH. Packet: $2.50
Produces many varied forms with foliage from green to bronze, marbled silvery to red veined, smooth to lobed margins, and flowers from white to red. Hardy perennial to 8 - 20", blooms June to September. Zone 3. Nice! (americana X micrantha) Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, light and KNO3 helps.
—Heuchera pulchella. (100) HEU-16. Packet: $2.50
Click for photos »
Nice rosy pink flowers on 6" stems. Hardy perennial (Zone 4) forming dense 1 1/2" tall mats of deeply lobed bright green leaves. New Mexico mountains. Zone 4. Best in dappled shade. "One of the finer species Heucheras. We've got a mat that has spread to 2 feet across over a period of about 8 years. A true miniature. Really nice."—Bertrand. Germinates in 2 - 12 weeks.
HIBISCUS (hi-BIS-kus)
MALVACEAE. 'ROSE MALLOW'. Warm region herbs, shrubs and trees with showy flowers in many colors, and a long season of bloom. Best in deep, rich, moist soil and full sun. Many of the herbaceous kinds are hardy in the North if mulched, and others good greenhouse tub plants, or the roots lifted in fall and stored in a cellar. Some can be flowered indoors in winter in a 6" pot. Germinates readily in 1 - 10 weeks warm, and light nicking or hot water soak may help. Various kinds are grown for food, fiber, seed oil, and even some for timber.
—Hibiscus coccineus. (40) HIBS-9. Packet: $2.50
'RED STAR OF TEXAS'. Large red 6" flowers on a bushy plant to 8 feet. Shorter and more floriferous if pinched back. S. U.S. Hardy to about Philadelphia. Roots may be stored over winter in a cellar. Pick pods to extend bloom. Attracts hummingbirds. Hot water soak to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Hibiscus coccineus Red and White. (20) HIBS-9RW. Packet: $3.00
Mostly red, with a few white ones.
—Hibiscus Moscheutos Mixed. (50) HIBS-30X. Packet: $2.50
Huge 8 - 10" flowers range from pink to dark rose to white. Bushy perennial to 5 feet, with large, maple-like leaves. Zone 4. A 'Southern Belle' type. Choice and easy. Nick or use hot water to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
HIEROCHLÖE (hee-er-o-KLO-ee)
GRAMINEAE. Fragrant perennial grasses of both hemispheres. Easily grown in moist places. The name is from Greek; hieros - sacred, and chlöe - grass.
—Hierochlöe odorata. (Hierochloe odorata). (25) HIEC-18. Packet: $3.00
1/4 gram: $20.00
Gram: $60.00
'SWEET GRASS', 'HOLY GRASS'. Sweetly vanilla/coumarin scented grass to 1 - 2 feet, with graceful brownish panicles in June and July. North temperate regions from Europe, through N. Asia and N. America. Zone 3. This is the source of the well-known sweetgrass braids used as sacred incense by N. American Indians. It is not well known that it was also sacred to early European peoples, and is still used to strew in churches on festival days. Used for flavoring in tropical Asia. Perhaps we can all use this grass to help us remember our common humanity. Germinates in 2 weeks to 6 months, but KNO3 or 100ppm GA-3 speeds this to 2 - 4 weeks. Light helps. We supply rubbed seed. (The name Hierochloe odorata is repeated above so that the search engines can find it - they don't seem to do well with the "Ö")
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern."—Lord Acton, 1881.
HUMULUS (HOO-mu-lus)
CANNABIDACEAE. Two species of twining dioecious vines, of easy cultivation. To save your own seed, plant several, to be sure of having both sexes.
—Humulus Lupulus. (50) HUMU-6. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $35.00
10 grams: $65.00
Click for photo of seedlings »
'HOPS'. Hardy dioecious perennial twiner to 20 feet, with handsome 3-lobed leaves and rounded cone-like spikes which form the bitter 'hops' used to flavor beer and increase its intoxicating effects. Young shoots eaten like asparagus. North temperate regions. Zone 4. Prechill 6 - 8 weeks to germinate in 2 - 3 weeks.
HYOSCYAMUS (hee-os-KEE-a-mus)
SOLANACEAE. Curious annual and perennial medicinal herbs of folklore. Easy in well-drained soil.
—Hyoscyamus niger. (200) HYOS-3. Packet: $2.50
CANNOT BE SENT TO CALIFORNIA
'HENBANE', 'HENBELL'. Yellow, inch-wide, funnel-shaped flowers veined and netted with purple in the throat, in long spikes in June to Sept. These turn into long sprays of unusual, ornamental, urn-shaped capsules. Hardy biennial or annual to 2 - 4 feet, with pale green, lobed, 8" leaves, and silvery hairs. Mediterranean. Zone 3. The stalks of curiously formed capsules are valued in the dried floral trade. Has an ancient history of medicinal use, and was an ingredient in the famed sorcerers ointment of European witches. Important commercial pharmaceutical crop. Use GA-3 to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
HYSSOPUS (hi-SO-pus)
LABIATAE. Aromatic perennials from the Mediterranean to central Asia. Most germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Hyssopus officinalis. (250) HYSS-1. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $8.00
'HYSSOP'. Dark blue 1/2" flowers in dense 5" spikes in summer and fall. Hardy aromatic perennial to 1 - 2 feet, with small, narrow, dark green 1 - 2" leaves. S. Europe. Zone 3. Blooms profusely. Best in warm, alkaline soil. Good bee plant, producing fine honey. A popular herb, used for tea, soups, potpourri, and medicinally against rheumatism. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Hyssopus officinalis 'Tricolor Mix'. (100) HYSS-1TX. Packet: $2.50
'TRICOLOR HYSSOP'. Blue, pink, and white-flowered forms mixed. Blooms June to August, making a nice display. Hardy perennial to 18". Zone 3.