CACTACEAE. Brazilian cacti with cephalia.
NEW—Fachieroa pilosa. (25) FACH-19. Packet: $2.50
Slender columnar cactus with a dark cephalium.
NEW—Fachieroa Ulei (=Espostoa Ulei) (25) FACH-24. Packet: $2.50
White inch-long flowers from an 8" fleece-like red-brown cephalium. Slender branching columnar cactus to 16 feet, with dense spines. Brazil. Zone 9.
FALLOPIA: See Polygonum Aubertii.
FALLUGIA (fa-LOO-jee-a)
ROSACEAE. A single species.
—Fallugia paradoxa. (b,g) FALL-4. Packet: $2.50
'APACHE PLUME'. Abundant inch-wide five-petaled white flowers on the ends of slender stems in April and May, followed by dense, feathery, pink-tinged seedheads. Handsome shrub to 1 - 8 feet, with deep green lobed leaves and flaking bark. SW desert mountains. Hardy to Zone 3 if kept dry. Best in well-drained soil. Valuable forage, and the Hopi use a tea of the leaves as a wash to promote hair growth. Fast growing and good arid-region landscaping. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
FATSIA (FAT-see-a)
ARALIACEAE. One to three species.
—Fatsia japonica. (c,g) FATS-1. Packet: $2.50
1000 seed: $9.00
'JAPANESE ARALIA'. Bold tropical-effect foliage. Large palmate glossy dark green leaves to 16" wide. Large heads of round clusters of creamy white flowers in late summer, followed by attractive black berries. Shrub to 8 - 20 feet. Japan, Korea. Zone 8. Good houseplant in the North. Stands pollution, salt spray. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks or so.
FAUCARIA (fo-KAR-ee-a)
AIZOACEAE. South African mat-forming succulents with peculiar tooth-edged leaves. Well-drained soil, moderate water in summer, drier in winter.
—Faucaria tigrina. (e,h) FAUC-42. Packet: $2.50
'TIGER JAWS'. Thick grey-green 2" leaves edged with teeth, the pairs resembling open jaws. Golden-yellow 2" flowers. Cape Province. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
FEIJOA (fay-SHOW-a)
MYRTACEAE. 'PINEAPPLE GUAVA' Small trees of dry subtropical S. America, with showy flowers and edible fruits. Easily grown, pest-free and drought-resistant, they stand a few degrees of frost (down to 10 - 12 degrees F) and are favorites in California. Sow seed in a mixture of sand and sawdust compost to prevent damping off. Germinates in in 2 - 5 weeks. Plant out when at least 4" tall. Seed viable a year or more.
—Feijoa Sellowiana. (=Acca Sellowiana) (c,h) FEIJ-4. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $22.50
'PINEAPPLE GUAVA'. Dull green 1 - 4" long fruits have delicious pineapple- flavored pulp. Eaten fresh or cooked, crystallized, or made into jam or jelly. A handsome little tree to 18 feet, with a broad crown and showy 1 1/2" flowers with thick petals, purple inside, and having long crimson stamens. Olive-like foliage. Brazil, Argentina. Zone 8. The thick, fleshy petals are also edible, having a rich, aromatic flavor. The fruits are much valued by various S. American tribes. They are best picked from the ground after they fall, as these have the most delicate and fully developed flavor. Germinates in 2 - 5 weeks.
FEROCACTUS (fer-o-KAK-tus)
CACTACEAE. 'BARREL CACTUS'. Large round to barrel-shaped cacti, often fiercely spined, hence the name. Some reach gigantic proportions. They are easily grown in full sun in well drained soil. Most will stand frost if kept dry. Germinates best with 500ppm GA-3, in 2 weeks to 8 months.
NEW—Ferocactus glaucescens. (25) FERO-9. Packet: $2.50
'BLUE BARREL'. Abundant glossy yellow 1 - 2" flowers that last a week. Large glaucous grey- or blue-green barrels to 16" tall, with inch-long spines. Eastern México. Zone 9. Strongly ribbed and attractive.
—Ferocactus latispinus. (d,h) FERO-15. Packet: $2.50
'DEVIL'S TONGUE'. Globular cactus to 16" across, with large, red, flat hooked spines. Purplish-pink 1 1/2" flowers. México. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
NEW—Ferocactus latispinus var. flavispinus. (25) FER0-15F. Packet: $2.50
'YELLOW DEVIL'S TONGUE'. Globular cactus 16" across, fiercely armed with large, yellow, flat, hooked spines. Purplish-pink 1 1/2" flowers. México. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Ferocactus Wislizenii. (d,f) FERO-26. Packet: $2.50
'FISH-HOOK BARREL'. Large barrels eventually reaching 10 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet thick, with 20 - 30 ribs and curved spines up to 4 - 5" long. Red-orange or yellow 2 1/2" flowers followed by 1 3/4" yellow edible fruits. Southern Utah to northern México. Zone 7. Slices of the stem have been candied and the seeds ground for food and bread. The Pima used the spines for fish-hooks. The flowers have been roasted and eaten. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks, some lots need GA-3.
FIBIGIA (fi-BI-jee-a)
CRUCIFERAE. Old World herbs and sub-shrubs with racemes of flowers followed by flattened pods which are valued for dried arrangements. Easily grown. Sow from March to June, to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks at cool to warm temperatures.
—Fibigia clypeata. FIBI-6. Packet: $2.50
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Excellent new hardy perennial for the dried floral market. Attractive plant to 16", with yellow flowers which are valued for cutting when fresh, and followed by clusters of attractive flat seedpods which are dried for market. Produces in about 4 months. S. Europe to the Near East. Zone 5. Prefers well-drained soil. The young leaves have been eaten as a cress.
FILIPENDULA (fi-li-PEN-du-la)
ROSACEAE. Handsome hardy perennials related to Spiraea, with clusters of tiny flowers and pinnate leaves. Easy from seed. Best in moist soil.
—Filipendula Ulmaria. (b,f) FILI-24. Packet: $2.50
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'QUEEN OF THE MEADOW'. Tiny white flowers in terminal racemes. Hardy perennial to 2 - 6 feet. Eurasia, naturalized in N. America. Zone 3. Prefers wet fields and the water side. The leaves are fragrant and are used for strewing and flavoring wine and beer. A tea of the leaves is said to be a pleasant drink, and was taken for fevers and aches as an herbal aspirin substitute. Germinates in 2 - 10 weeks.
FRAGARIA (fra-GAR-ee-a)
ROSACEAE. 'STRAWBERRY'. Well-known perennials grown for their delicious fruit, attractive trifoliate leaves and charming five-petaled flowers. Easily grown in any ordinary, moist, well drained garden soil. Mulch beds with straw in winter. Many species make excellent ground covers.
Fragaria vesca Varieties:
'ALPINE STRAWBERRY', 'FRAISES DES BOIS', 'PERPETUAL or WOODLAND STRAWBERRY'. Bushy, compact, upright runnerless plants bear small but very flavorful and fragrant strawberries. As we who gather wild strawberries know, the modern types have sacrificed flavor for size. These small-fruited alpine types have excellent flavor, and if started early can bear some fruit the first season. Excellent for edgings and pots, and may be mowed as ground cover. Part shade or full sun. Nearly everbearing, giving all summer.
Zone 4. Sow early, barely cover, to sprout in 1 - 4 weeks at cool to warm temperatures. Plant out 6 - 12" apart.
—Fragaria vesca Alexandria. (b,h) FRAG-2A. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $7.50
Sweet and very aromatic red fruits on bushy, runnerless plants. An excellent selection. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Fragaria vesca 'Golden Alexandria'. (100) FRAG-2GA. Packet: $2.50
'GOLDEN-LEAVED ALPINE STRAWBERRY'. Foliage starts out golden in spring, changing to light green. White flowers and sweet, aromatic red fruits. Hardy perennial to 8". Zone 4. Nice!
—Fragaria vesca Alpine Yellow. (b,f) FRAG-2Y. Packet: $3.00
Small yellow sweet strawberries, fragrant and flavorful. May and June. Zone 5. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks.
—Fragaria vesca Ruegen. (b,h) FRAG-2G. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'ALPINE STRAWBERRY'. Large red aromatic fruits. Very productive and long bearing.
—Fragaria vesca var. vesca. (b,h) FRAG-2V. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $8.00
'WILD or WOODLAND STRAWBERRY'. Tiny red strawberries are much more fragrant and flavorful than commercial strawberries. White flowers and trifoliate leaves, like a dainty miniature garden strawberry. Has runners, unlike Ruegen. N. Temperate regions, this form from Europe. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks, best at cool temperatures, and light helps.
—Fragaria vesca Wildform. (b,h) FRAG-2W. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'WILD WOODLAND STRAWBERRY'. Tiny red strawberries and white flowers. Forms neat 8 - 10" mounds, but has few runners. Europe. Fragrant, flavorful strawberries. Zone 4. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks.
FRANCOA (fran-KO-a)
SAXIFRAGACEAE. One to several species.
—Francoa sonchifolia. (100) FRAN-8. Packet: $2.50
1/4 gram: $9.00
'BRIDAL WREATH'. Small pink and white 4petaled flowers in long sprays, July to September. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, with rosettes of lobed leaves. Chile. Zone 4. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks or may be irregular.
FREMONTODENDRON (free-MONT-o-DEN-dron)
STERCULIACEAE. Two species of evergreen shrubs from the Californias. Needs good drainage, full sun. Not too hardy. Does well in pots in the greenhouse, and is grown in England against walls. Give hot water treatment then 4 - 8 weeks cold, to germinate in 4 - 12 weeks. Spectacular plants.
—Fremontodendron californicum. (e,g) FREM-4. Packet: $2.50
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'FLANNEL-BUSH'. Lemon yellow hibiscus-like 1 - 2" five-petaled flowers cover the bush in May and June. Fast growing shrub or small tree to 6 - 20 feet, with leathery, felty, three-lobed fig-like 1 - 2" leaves. California. Zone 8. As all the flowers tend to bloom at once, it becomes an eye-catching mass of color.
GAILLARDIA (gay-LAR-dee-a)
COMPOSITAE. Showy summer-flowering annuals and perennials from the Americas. Easily grown in well-drained soil and full sun. Long period of bloom, and they last well in water and are favorite cut-flowers.
Gaillardia aristata Varieties:
'BLANKET FLOWER'. Large showy daisies up to 5" across, in rich shades of red, orange and yellow, often bordered with darker maroon zones. Blooms from June to frost, and makes excellent long lasting cut flowers. Hardy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, with deeply cut leaves. Great Plains. Zone 3. One of our finest natives, it is easily grown as an annual or perennial. Good in heat, full sun and dry areas. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at cool to warm temperatures.
NEW—Gaillardia aristata 'Amber Wheels'. (20) GAIL-1A. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
Large golden, fringed flowers with amber-red centers. Hardy perennial to 30". Zone 3. Cut-flower.
—Gaillardia aristata Bremen. (b,h) GAIL-1BR. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00
Nice coppery-scarlet with yellow edge. To 30".
—Gaillardia aristata Burgundy. (d,h) GAIL-1N. Packet: $2.50
Glowing rich wine red. Showy. To 30" tall.
—Gaillardia aristata Goblin. (c,h) GAIL-1G. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Deep crimson 3" flowers with a yellow edge. The first dwarf, only 12 - 14" tall.
GALIUM (GAL-ee-um)
RUBIACEAE. 'BEDSTRAW'. Slender herbs with wheel-like flowers, whorled leaves and square stems. Some produce good cut flowers, others are important dye and medicinal herbs.
—Galium odoratum: See Asperula odorata in Reserved Access Collection.
—Galium verum. (250) GALI-25. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'YELLOW BEDSTRAW', 'CHEESE RENNET'. Yellow flowers on a pretty trailing hardy perennial to 3 feet. Europe. Zone 2. Used to curdle milk in cheese-making, and to dye the cheese yellow. Also used to dye wool and maiden's hair. The roots provide red dye. The flowering tops have been made into a summer drink. Medicinal. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
GARDENIA (gar-DEEN-ya)
RUBIACEAE. Shrubs and trees grown in warm regions for their fragrant flowers. Sun or part shade.
—Gardenia Thunbergia. GARD-23. Packet: $2.50
100 seed: $15.00, 500 seed: $45.00
'STARRY GARDENIA'. Large, fragrant, creamy-white 3" wide funnel-shaped flowers with pointed petals. Shrub to 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with 6" glossy dark green leaves. South Africa. Zone 9. Will scent a whole greenhouse when in bloom. Germinates in 4 - 6 weeks.
GAURA (GAU-ra)
ONAGRACEAE. Showy-flowered North American annuals and perennials. Good in the border or the wild garden, in well-drained to sandy soil. Full sun or part shade. Grow as annuals in the North.
—Gaura Lindheimeri Summer Breeze (=Oenothera Lindheimeri). (25) GAUR-21S. Packet: $2.50
Tall, wand-like spikes of 3/4" white flowers with rosy filaments, blooming over a long period, July to October. Bushy perennial to 3 - 5 feet. Texas. This selection blooms the first year from seed, and has improved winter hardiness. Zone 5. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks.
"We know that ants and certain Lamellicorn beetles are capable of feeling an attachment for each other, and that ants recognise their fellows after an interval of several months."—Charles Darwin.
GENTIANA (jen-shee-A-na)
GENTIANACEAE. 'GENTIAN'. Some 300 species of mostly perennial herbs grown in the rock garden for their beautiful flowers. As northern or alpine plants, most need cool temperatures and well-drained soil with constant moisture. Hot dry climates don't suit them, and in marginal areas plant on the north side of a stone to insure a cool root. Long-lived once established. Give loose, sandy, peaty soil, and the Asian species will not stand lime. Shade seed pans. Sow in fall or early winter, or give 2 months cold. Many are highly irregular in germination, giving seedlings in as little as two weeks, with stragglers sprouting over the next 4 years, so hold your flats! Seed half-life 3 years. Some have internal clocks.
Many gentians do best with GA-3 and cool or cold temperatures, but will give some germination at cool temperatures - usually giving plenty of plants per packet this way. Try GA-3, or 2 weeks at 40°F, then 2 weeks at 50°F.
—Gentiana asclepiadea. (200) GENT-9. Packet: $2.50
'WILLOW GENTIAN'. Deep blue 1 1/2" tubular bell-shaped flowers in clusters, July to September. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, with arching leafy stems. Europe. Zone 3.
—Gentiana scabra var. buergeri. (200) GENT-104. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $16.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Bright blue 2" tubular bell-shaped flowers in clusters. Hardy perennial to 3 feet. Japan. Zone 5.
GERANIUM (je-RAY-nee-um)
GERANIACEAE. Wide-ranging herbs with attractive often palmately divided leaves and charming, often showy 5-petaled flowers. Easy in most soils, good in the border, rockery and under trees. These are not greenhouse 'geraniums', which are Pelargonium.
—Geranium pratense 'Painter's Palette'. (10) GERN-185P. Packet: $2.50
Large flowers in white, soft pink, light and dark blue, violet, and white with blue splashes, June to August. Hardy perennial to 20". Eurasia. Zone 4. Scratch seed lightly to germinate in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Geranium pratense Striatum. (10,h) GERN-185S. Packet: $4.00
'SPLISH-SPLASH'. Large white flowers attractively streaked and splashed with blue, 1 - 2" wide. Hardy perennial to 20", with shiny green 3 - 8" wide, deeply divided leaves. Eurasia. Zone 4. Scratch seed lightly to germinate in 1 - 4 weeks.
NEW—Geranium sessiliflorum var. Nigricans. (10) GERN-216. Packet: $4.00
Deep bronze-purple inch-wide leaves. Perennial to 4", with small white or pink flowers in summer. New Zealand. Zone 5. Nick seed lightly.
NEW—Geranium Perennial Mixed. (10) GERN-X. Packet: $2.50
White, pink, lavender, and violet flowers, and variously lobed leaves. A nice mix of hardy perennial kinds to 8 - 18". Zone 5. Includes Johnson's Blue, Vision Pink, Ingwersen's Variety, G. sanguineum, G. sanguineum Album, G. sanguineum striatum, and other kinds. Lightly nick seed.
GEUM (JEE-um or GAY-um)
ROSACEAE. Easily grown hardy perennials with bright red to yellow flowers. Good for cutting. Best in sun and well-drained soil.
—Geum chiloense Mrs. Bradshaw. (c,h) GEUM-10B. Packet: $2.50
'FIREBALL'. Large, double, rich glowing scarlet flowers, good for cutting. Hardy perennial (to zone 6) forming a 15" mound of foliage with the flowers held well above it at 2 feet. Chile. Zone 4. Blooms May to July. An old favorite variety. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Geum triflorum. (100) GEUM-42. Packet: $2.50
'PURPLE AVENS', 'PRAIRIE SMOKE'. Nodding purple to straw-colored cup-shaped flowers followed by long feathery seeds. Hardy perennial to 1 1/2 feet, with deeply cut, feathery, downy leaves. N. America. Zone 1. Good in dry areas. Roots used as a tea. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks warm.
GILIA (JIL-ee-a or GIL-ee-a)
POLEMONIACEAE. Colorful western N. American annuals, biennials, and perennials, thriving in dry, sunny, well-drained spots. Easily grown.
—Gilia tricolor. (a!,h) GIL-42. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $18.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'BIRD'S EYES'. Clustered violet to lavender bell-shaped 3/4" chocolate-scented flowers with yellow throats spotted purple and with blue pollen, from June to September. Hardy annual to 1 - 2 1/2 feet, with feathery foliage. California. Space 6 - 12". Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
GINKGO (GINK-go)
GINKGOACEAE. A single species. Sprouts easily.
—Ginkgo biloba. (e,h) GINK-1. Packet: 2.50
1/4 lb: $6.00, lb: $15.00. About 270 seed per pound this year.
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PERISHABLE. AVAILABLE JANUARY to JUNE ONLY!
'MAIDENHAIR TREE'. Hardy tree to 120 feet with handsome 2 - 3" fan-shaped leaves. Beautiful golden fall color. E. China. A relict species with identical fossils dating to 200 million years ago. Probably extinct in the wild (may occur wild in Zhejiang) and surviving only in cultivation. As this is the sole remaining member of a formerly widespread family, it is the prime example of preservation through dissemination, and a model species for biological enrichment. The seeds are eaten and both seeds and leaves are valued in Chinese medicine, and have been proven useful for a variety of conditions associated with ageing. Hardy to Zone 5 or more, easily grown, pest free. Plant it everywhere!
GLADIOLUS (gla-dee-O-lus)
IRIDACEAE. Well-known African and European tender and half-hardy cormous plants grown for their showy spikes of funnel-shaped flowers. Some are hardy in the North if mulched. Blooms best if crowded. Most germinate at cold temperatures.
—Gladiolus illyricus. (d,v) GLAD-36. Packet: $2.50
Purple- red 1 - 2" flowers in spikes of 3 - 10 blooms in April to August. Hardy perennial to 16 - 20", with foot-long sword-shaped leaves. Europe. Zone 6. Good in meadows. Germinates at cold temperatures. GA-3 helps. Will germinate in 1 - 5 months.
GLAUCIUM (GLOW-see-um)
PAPAVERACEAE. Distinctive annuals biennials and perennials, best in poor dry soils in full sun, where they bloom better and are longer lived. The perennials may be grown as annuals if started early, but they don't transplant well. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at cool to warm temperatures. Sow in spring or fall. "Striking plants for the border or wild garden."—C.O. Booth.
—Glaucium flavum var. aurantiacum. (c,g) GLAU-2A. Packet: $2.50
'ORANGE HORNED POPPY'. Large showy orange-red 2 - 3" flowers followed by foot-long ornamental pods. Hardy biennial or perennial to 20", with striking rosettes of glaucous succulent lobed blue-green foliage. Europe. Zone 5. Good in poor sandy soil. Use GA-3 to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
GLEDITSIA (gle-DIT-shee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. 'HONEY LOCUST'. Handsome ornamental trees grown throughout the world. Vigorous, hardy, fast growing, drought resistant, standing almost any soil except heavy clay. They are excellent for shade, impenetrable hedges, timber and fuelwood production, erosion control, human, livestock and wildlife food, shelterbelts, etc. Tolerates alkalinity and salinity. Easy from seed, but has a hard seed coat. Either nick and soak, or cover with 3 - 4 times their volume with almost boiling water and soak till swollen. Sow shallowly to germinate in 1 - 4 weeks warm.
—Gleditsia triacanthos inermis. (d,h) GLED-10N. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $18.00
'THORNLESS HONEYLOCUST'. Thornlessness is a genetically dominant trait and comes true from seed. Other than lack of thorns, this tree has all of the fine properties of the thorny kind. "Over half of my thornless honey locusts wintered over! Many days we dropped below –40°F."—D.J., Saskatchewan. 1/97.
GLEHNIA (GLE-nee-a)
UMBELLIFERAE. One or two species.
—Glehnia littoralis. (30) GLEH-6. Packet: $2.50
'BEACH - CARROT', 'HAMA - BOFU'. White flowers in several ball-shaped clusters together on whitish stems. Attractive reddish seed-balls. Stemless hardy perennial growing in coastal dunes of the north Pacific. In Japan the young leaves and stems are pickled and eaten, said to taste like angelica and tarragon.
GLYCYRRHIZA (gli-sir-RI-za)
LEGUMINOSAE. Wide ranging perennials with pinnate leaves and spikes of flowers in summer. Good in the flower garden or grown for the sweet roots.
NEW—Glycyrrhiza yunnanensis. (20) GLYC-28. Packet: $2.50
Nice photo of pods: http://www.gapphotos.com/imagedetails.asp?imageno=298893
Info: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242323675
'YUNNAN LICORICE', 'YUN NAN GAN CAO'. Small purple flowers in dense heads in May and June, followed by pods with pinkish hairs. Perennial to 3 feet, with feathery 4" leaves. Mts. of Yunnan, China, to 8000 feet. Zone 8 or 9. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
GOMPHRENA (gom-FREE-na)
AMARANTHACEAE. 'GLOBE AMARANTH'. Popular annuals and perennials grown for their brilliantly colored clover-like flowerheads, which are among the best everlastings. Good for borders and edging. Prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun, and they tolerate drought and hot weather. Good pot plants for a sunny window. Best started indoors in February and March, or outdoors after danger of frost. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at warm temperatures. Space 12" apart or grow in 5" pots. Cut flowers when almost fully open for drying in an airy place.
Gomphrena globosa Varieties:
'GLOBE AMARANTH'. Bushy half hardy annual to 12" or taller, with narrow leaves and round 1 - 1/2" brilliant flowerheads. Easy. Old World tropics. Cultivated since 1714. One of the best everlastings.
We supply rubbed seed when possible, but not all varieties are available rubbed.
—Gomphrena globosa Aurea-superba. (c,h) GOMP-2A. Packet: $2.50
Nice orange-yellow flowers, reddish bracts.
—Gomphrena globosa White. (c,h) GOMP-2W. Packet: $2.50
—Gomphrena haageana Strawberry Fields. (c,h) GOMP-12S. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $9.00, 25 grams: $18.00
True scarlet-red 2" flower-heads in great profusion. Good for cutting, they keep their color dried. Annual to 1 - 2 feet. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
GUNNERA (GUN-er-a or gu-NER-a)
GUNNERACEAE. Perennial herbs ranging from gigantic plants grown for their bold foliage, down to tiny mat-forming dwarfs. Best in cool, moist, mild climates—excellent on the Pacific coast.
I've had the best results by rubbing the seed out of its husk, then soaking in rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes to remove germination inhibitors. Then it will give good germination over 1 - 10 months.
—Gunnera manicata. (b,g) GUNN-16. Packet: $3.00
'GIANT GUNNERA'. Gigantic leaves can reach 5 - 10 feet across, rising in a cluster from the crown. Flower cluster 1 foot thick and 3 - 4 feet tall. S. Brazil. Zone 7. Occasionally forms a magnificent clump 25 - 35 feet across. Best grown near a pond to insure a steady supply of moisture.
GYMNOCALYCIUM
CACTACEAE. Round South American cacti with large bright flowers in many colors. Free-flowering even when young. Some fairly hardy. GA-3 helps.
NEW—Gymnocalycium Spegazzinii. (25) GYMO-40. Packet: $2.50
White to pink 1 1/2" flowers with pale purple throats, opening from blue buds. Blue- or grey-green cactus to 8", with curved spines. Argentina. Zone 8 or 9.
NEW—Gymnocalycium Valnicekianum. (25) GYMO-46. Packet: $2.50
Large white 2" wide flowers with reddish throat. Dark green knobby cactus to a foot tall. Argentina. Zone 8 or 9. Blooms abundantly.
NEW—Gymnocalycium zegarre (=Gymnocalycium Pflanzii) (25) GYMO-54. Packet: $2.50
White to pink 2" flowers sometimes edged violet. Round green cactus with knobby ribs and inch-long spines. S.E. Bolivia.
GYMNOCLADUS (JIM-no-KLAD-us)
LEGUMINOSAE. Two species of deciduous trees grown for ornament and timber. Stands heat, cold, drought and poor soil. Seed has a very hard coat and needs deep nicking to germinate in 2 - 6 weeks.
—Gymnocladus chinensis. (5,h) GYMC-6. Packet: $5.00
'FEI- TSAO-CHIA'. Large tree with white flowers and with smaller and more numerous leaflets than the American species, and with much thicker 3 - 4 pods. Central China. Almost unknown in the US. The pounded unripe pods were used as washing soap and are used medicinally for rheumatism, dysentery, and hematuria. Seeds eaten roasted. Nick and soak to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Gymnocladus dioica. (e,h) GYMC-1. Packet: $2.50
1/4 lb: $8.00, lb: $20.00
'KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE'. Large tree to 50 - 110 feet, with large 1 1/2 - 3 foot long bipinnate leaves, which are pinkish in spring, deep green in summer, and clear yellow in fall. Greenish 1/2" flowers in foot-long racemes on female trees, 4" clusters on males. Females produce persistent thick red-brown 6 - 10" pods filled with large seed and pulp. E. U.S. Zone 4. The seeds are said to have been roasted as a coffee substitute in the 1700's, and were roasted and eaten like nuts by the Indians. The bruised leaves or pod pulp sprinkled with sweetened water are said to attract and kill flies. "One of the most handsome of all hardy trees."—Hilliers. The seeds were used as counters in an Indian game. They make excellent beads, taking on a high polish.