WASHINGTONIA (wash-ing-TO-nee-a or wash-ing-ton-EE-a)
PALMAE. Two species of palms from the arid SW.
—Washingtonia filifera. (25) WASH-1. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $6.00,
1/4 pound: $15.00
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'CALIFORNIA FAN PALM'. Stout-trunked fan palm to 20 - 70 feet, with 3 - 6 foot-wide leaves. Flower-stalks to 8 - 10 feet long. Small black fruit. Canyons and washes of California deserts. Zone 9. The thin, sweetish pulp of the fruits was eaten by the Indians. Seed was ground for a coconut-like meal. Sow 1/4" deep in sandy soil to germinate in 4 - 15 weeks.
WISTERIA (wis-TER-ee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Large woody east Asian and North American vines with showy pendant racemes of flowers. Long-lived and often reaching great size, the huge trunk needing firm support. They can also be trained into graceful weeping trees. Spectacular in spring. Prefers deep rich soil. Easy from seed. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks. Takes some years to come to flower.
—Wisteria floribunda. (10) WIST-2. Packet: $3.50 OUT OF STOCK
Ounce: $14.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK
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'JAPANESE WISTERIA'. Lavender-blue and white fragrant flowers in dense clusters to 12 - 18" long, appearing in April and May. Large pinnate leaves turn golden in fall. Hardy woody twiner to 40 feet. Japan. Zone 5. Stunning in bloom. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks or so.
"They that can give up, essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."—Benjamin Franklin.
WITHANIA (wi-THAN-ee-a)
SOLANACEAE. Ornamental woolly or hoary shrubs with clustered flowers and Chinese-lantern-like fruits. Named in honor of H. Witham, a British paleobotanist. Germinates best with GA-3.
—Withania somnifera. (100) WITH-4. Packet: $2.50
Photo
1/4 Ounce: $25.00
Ounce: $80.00
'ASHVAGANDA', 'CLUSTERED WINTERCHERRY'. Small whitish to yellow flowers followed by attractive scarlet berries enclosed in an inflated, lantern-like calyx. Bushy shrub to 1 - 7 feet, with downy leaves. India to South Africa and Australia. Zone 8. The fruiting branches are attractive in dried arrangements. The seeds are used as vegetable rennet to coagulate milk, and the berries are used as soap. A valuable medicinal plant, the leaves and roots have marked antibiotic, anti-viral and insecticidal properties. Extensively used in India as a tonic, aphrodisiac, hypnotic, diuretic, memory improver, against rheumatism, fevers, sores, senile debility, asthma, etc. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks. GA-3 helps.
XANTHOCERAS (zan-tho-SER-as)
SAPINDACEAE. A single Chinese ornamental shrub.
—Xanthoceras sorbifolium. (10) XANTH-4. Packet: $3.00
1/4 Pound: $25.00
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Sprouting seeds » 
'CHINESE FLOWERING CHESTNUT'. Large white 1" flowers with a red or yellow blotch at the base. To 15 feet, with dark green leaflets. China. Zone 4. Hardy in the North. The flowers, leaves, and fruit are said to have been used as food. For best germination, soak 1 week in water in the refrigerator, then hold at cold temperatures until roots show in 2 - 12 weeks. Or just give 4 - 8 weeks prechill.
"It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are 20 gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."—Thomas Jefferson.
YUCCA (YUK-a)
AGAVACEAE. North American perennials and trees, with narrow, sword-shaped leaves, and large clusters of large, night-scented, bell-shaped flowers. Best in dry, well-drained soil. Good specimen plants.
Seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks, but stragglers will come up each year for 2 - 3 years. Seed long-lived; a 6 year old lot gave 95% germination. Some types have hard-shelled seed, and will benefit from a light scarification.
—Yucca baccata. (10) YUCC-4. Packet: $3.00
'DATIL', 'BANANA YUCCA', 'BLUE YUCCA'. Pale blue-green sword-shaped 2 foot leaves, 2 1/4" wide, with curly fibers on the edges. Large, nodding, 3" bell-shaped creamy flowers, sometimes tinged purple, in large 2 foot spikes up to 5 feet tall, May and June. Fruits to almost 10" long, banana-like. California to Texas. Very hardy. Zone 5. The fleshy fruits have sweet edible pulp, eaten by the Indians and made into pies. Flowers also eaten. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Yucca elata. (25) YUCC-8. Packet: $2.00
'SOAPTREE YUCCA', 'PALMILLA'. Tall 6 foot spikes of creamy white 2" bells, often tinged pink or green. Round heads of stiff, narrow 3 - 4 foot leaves. Forms a trunk to 20 feet with age. Southwest. The flowers are eaten raw or cooked, and the young fruits are said to be eaten. Roots used as soap. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks, and the seedlings grow rapidly, forming nice plants.
—Yucca filamentosa. (25) YUCC-10. Packet: $2.50
5 Grams: $7.50
'ADAM'S NEEDLE', BEAR'S THREAD'. Waxy-white 2" flowers in large panicles to 6 - 8, and sometimes 15 feet tall. Nearly stemless perennial forming a rosette of sword-like, evergreen 30" leaves, margined with curly threads. Maryland to Florida. Hardy to Zone 3 with protection. Full sun. Cold treatment improves germination, but is not necessary. Good landscape plant. Flowers edible raw, good in salads. Indians made strong fiber from the leaves, and pounded the root for soap. A fine plant.
—Yucca glauca. (50) YUCC-14. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $15.00 1/4 pound Unit OUT OF STOCK - packets and ounces are still available
'SPANISH BAYONET', 'ADAM'S NEEDLE', 'PLAINS YUCCA'. Fragrant greenish white 2 1/2" globose flowers often tinged purple, in large spikes to 3 - 5 feet long, May to July. Stemless clump-forming shrub with narrow grey green sword-shaped white margined leaves. Very hardy, ranging from South Dakota to New Mexico. Zone 4. Stands dense, clayey and saline soils. May flower in 5 years. The leaves produce a strong fiber. The young spikes have been eaten like cabbage, the flowers eaten raw or cooked, and the pods boiled for food. Valuable landscape material. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
"The more corrupt the republic, the more numerous the laws."—Tacitus, Roman historian, 110 CE.
ZINNIA (ZIN-ya)
COMPOSITAE. About 20 species of the Americas. Popular, easily grown flowers thriving in any good soil and full sun. Excellent for cutting and a brilliant display in the border. Best sown direct and not transplanted. Pinch to keep bushy. Good in pots. Thrives in hot dry places. Germinates in about 1 - 3 weeks at warm temperatures.
SPECIALTY EUROPEAN ZINNIAS
—Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Lime with Blush'. (25) ZIN-4QLB. Packet: $3.50
5 grams: $25.00 (about 750 seed)
25 grams: $90.00
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Fleuroselect Novelty. Remarkable color combination, dusky lime green with a rosy-purple center, most double or semi-double, with long stems. Beautiful and unusual cut flower. Also called 'Raspberry Limeade' and 'Lime with Blotch'.
—Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Lime Red'. (25) ZIN-4QLR. Packet: $3.50
5 grams: $25.00 (about 750 seed)
25 grams: $90.00
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Fleuroselect Novelty. Beautiful colors, each flower slightly different, but all variations of soft wine-red lower petals, leading to pale green centers. Double or semi-double, with long stems for striking cut flowers.
GARDEN ZINNIAS
—Zinnia elegans 'Berry Tart Mix'. (200) ZIN-4BTX. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Rich colors of coral, scarlet, bright red-orange, and deep velvety red. Fully double large blooms on long stems, good for cut flowers.
—Zinnia elegans 'Blueberry Cheesecake Mix'. (200) ZIN-4BCX. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Rich color mix of white, rosy-lavender, and deep purple. Large double flowers, long stems good for cutting.
—Zinnia elegans 'Cactus Bright Jewels' (100) ZIN-4CJ. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $15.00
Large 2 - 3" flowers with quilled petals, in shades of red, rose, pink, orange, yellow, and white. Hardy annual to 3 feet, with abundant bloom.
—Zinnia elegans 'California Giant Mix'. (100) ZIN-4CX. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $10.00
Beautiful mix of crimson, orange, yellow, white and pink 4 1/2" flowers on 2 - 3 foot tall plants. Half hardy annual. Classic large zinnias for cutting. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Zinnia elegans 'Dahlia-Flowered Mixed'. (100) ZIN-4DF. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $12.00
Large 4 - 5" double flowers in shades of red, yellow, orange, purple, and pink. Hardy annual to 2 - 3 feet, with strong stems, good for cutting.
—Zinnia elegans 'Ice Queen'. (200) ZIN-4ICE. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00 1/4 pound Unit OUT OF STOCK - packets and ounces are still available
Pretty bicolored flowers, the inner petals bright rose-pink with white tips, double and semi-double. Excellent cut flowers.
—Zinnia elegans 'Lemon Meringue Mix'. (200) ZIN-4LMX. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Delicious mix of colors, soft lime green, deep canary yellow, and pure white. Big double blooms, excellent for cutting.
—Zinnia elegans 'Lilliput Mix'. (250) ZIN-4LX. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $15.00
Bright red, pink, orange, and white 1 1/2" round double pompon flowers, summer to frost. To 1 1/2 feet.
—Zinnia elegans 'Mardi Gras Mix'. (200) ZIN-4MG. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Brilliant colorful mix of sunny yellow, rosy purple, and bright white. Large double flowers with long stems, striking for cutting or in the border.
—Zinnia elegans 'Orange King'. (50) ZIN-4OK. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $15.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - packets are still available
Large orange fully double blooms. Half hardy annual to 40".
—Zinnia elegans 'Peppermint Stick'. (200) ZIN-4ST. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $9.00
100 grams: $25.00
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Photos and info: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/48922/
Dramatic large 3 - 5" double flowers in a wide range of colors, all striped and spotted with dark red. White, orange, yellow, pink, and creamy base color. Hardy annual to 3 feet. Introduced in 1954. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Zinnia elegans 'Purple Prince'. (100) ZIN-4P. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $15.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - packets are still available
Large bright rosy purple double dahlia-type flowers. Half hardy annual.
—Zinnia elegans 'South of the Border Mix'. (200) ZIN-4SB. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Warm rich mix of deep yellow, scarlet, and bicolored gold with red centers. Large double blooms, good in the border or for cutting.
—Zinnia elegans 'Strawberry Parfait'. (200) ZIN-4SP. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Luscious colors of rose, soft pink, creamy white, and bicolor rose with white tips. Big double flowers on tall stems for cutting.
—Zinnia elegans 'Strawberry Rhubarb Pie'. (200) ZIN-4SRP. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00 1/4 pound Unit OUT OF STOCK - packets and ounces are still available
Lush and lively colors—soft pink, vivid red, and pale green. Large double flowers with long stems, perfect for cutting.
—Zinnia elegans 'Under the Sea Mix'. (200) ZIN-4US. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 pound: $10.00
Like colors from a tropical reef, a mix of shades of coral pink, rosy purple, and soft white. Big double flowers on long stems, stunning in the border or for cutting.
"The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom is Courage."—Thucydides, 400 BCE.