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
Germination: 64% Tested: 8/09, 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. 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. 500ppm GA-3, in 2 weeks to 8 months.
—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. Mexico. 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. S. Utah to No. México. 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. Use GA-3 to germinate in 2 - 8 weeks
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
Click for photo »
'QUEEN OF THE MEADOW'. Tiny white flowers in terminal racemes. Hardy perennial to 2 - 6 feet. Eurasia, naturalized in N. America. 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.
FOUQUIERIA (foo-kee-AIR-ee-a)
FOUQUIERIACEAE. Peculiar showy desert shrubs & trees grown for their bright flowers and spiny, often leafless branches. The genus (& family) are restricted to SW North America. Of diversity sampling use.
—Fouquieria splendens. (d,h) FOUQ-22. Packet: $2.50
'OCOTILLO'. Brilliant red, inch-long, trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters up to 10" long. Base branching shrub to 20 feet, with long, straight thorny branches, leafless in dry periods. SW U.S. The flowers, young pods and seeds have been eaten. Germinates readily in 1 - 2 weeks warm.
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 & pots, and may be mowed as ground cover. Part shade or full sun. Nearly everbearing, giving all summer.
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 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Sweet and very aromatic red fruits on bushy, runnerless plants. An excellent selection. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
NEW —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.
—Fragaria vesca Ruegen. (b,h) FRAG-2G. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $15.00
'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 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'WILD or WOODLAND STRAWBERRY'. Tiny red strawberries are much more fragrant & flavorful than commercial strawberries. White flowers & 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.
—Fragaria vesca Wildform. (b,h) FRAG-2W. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 96% Tested: 10/09, 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.
NEW—Francoa sonchifolia. (100) FRAN-8. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 64% Tested: 4/09, 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. 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
Click for photo »
'FLANNEL-BUSH'. Lemon yellow hibiscus-like 1 - 2" five-petaled flowers cover the bush in May & June. Fast growing shrub or small tree to 6 - 20 feet, with leathery, felty, three-lobed fig-like 1 - 2" leaves. California. As all the flowers tend to bloom at once, it becomes an eye-catching mass of color.
FRITILLARIA: See Reserved Access page.
FUMANA (foo-MA-na)
CISTACEAE. Attractive rock-rose-like shrublets.
NEW—Fumana procumbens. (50) FUMN-19. Packet: $2.50
Nodding golden rock-rose-like 3/4" flowers in May to July. Sprawling shrublet to 16" tall, with needle-like leaves. Mediterranean. Zone 5.
GAILLARDIA (gay-LAR-dee-a)
COMPOSITAE. Showy summer-flowering annuals & perennials from the Americas. Easily grown in well-drained soil and full sun. Long period of bloom, & they last well in water & 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. 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.
—Gaillardia aristata Bremen. (b,h) GAIL-1BR. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 8/09, 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
Germination: 92% Tested: 8/09, 10 grams: $10.00
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.
NEW—Galium verum. (250) GALI-25. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 88% Tested: 5/09, Gram: $7.50
'YELLOW BEDSTRAW', 'CHEESE RENNET'. Yellow flowers on a pretty trailing hardy perennial to 3 feet. Europe. 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.
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.
NEW—Gaura Lindheimeri Summer Breeze. (25) GAUR-21S. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
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 & well-drained soil with constant moisture. Hot dry climates don't suit them, & 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.
NEW —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.
NEW—Gentiana scabra var. buergeri. (200) GENT-104. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $16.00
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 bicknellii. (e,h) GERN-7. Packet: $3.00
Germination: 88% Tested: 10/09, Gram: $12.00
Small pink flowers from May to September. Attractive annual or biennial to 12 - 18", with divided leaves. Prairies and woods, E. N. America. A nice wildflower. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 12 weeks.
—Geranium bohemicum. (5,h) GERN-8. Packet: $3.50
'ORCHID BLUE'. Brilliant blue flowers with dark veins, May to August. Annual or short-lived perennial to 18". Central Europe. Zone 6 or 7. Soak, nick hard, to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Geranium maderense. (d,h) GERN-160. Packet: $3.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 8/09, Gram: $12.00
Giant species to 5 feet tall, with abundant magenta 1 1/2" wide flowers. Stout-stemmed perennial with huge 1 - 2 foot wide deeply lobed aromatic leaves with purple-tinged stems. Madeira Islands. Zone 9. Magnificent! Germinates in 2 - 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.
—Geranium psilostemon. (5,h) GERN-186. Packet: $4.00
Large bright magenta 1 1/2" wide flowers with black centers, June & July. Hardy perennial to 28", with 6" deeply lobed leaves which turn red in fall. Armenia. Zone 6. Brilliant flowers. Nick seed to germinate in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Geranium Robertianum. (d,h) GERN-204. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $12.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'HERB ROBERT', 'RED ROBIN'. Dark pink to red 3/4" flowers from May to October. Annual or biennial to 4 - 20", with finely divided ferny aromatic foliage. N. Hemisphere. Good to carpet part shade. Formerly used medicinally. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
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. Blooms May to July. An old favorite variety. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
NEW —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.
—Geum urbanum. (c,v) GEUM-44. Packet: $2.50
'CLOVE ROOT', 'HERB BENNET'. Pale yellow 1/2" flowers in May to October. Hardy perennial to 1 - 2 feet, with large divided leaves. West Eurasia and N. Africa. Zone 6. The root is clove-scented, and used as spice and for flavoring wine and ale.
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
Germination: 92% Tested: 7/09, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $18.00
'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: See Perishable Items
GLADIOLUS (gla-dee-O-lus)
IRIDACEAE. Well-known African & 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 & 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 caspica. (d,h) GLED-5. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $7.50
'CASPIAN HONEYLOCUST'. Small tree to 40 feet, with pinnate or bipinnate leaves and 8 - 12" pods. Trunk with 6" spines. Caspian region. Nick and soak to germinate in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
—Gleditsia sinensis. (e,h) GLED-8. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $6.00
'CHINESE HONEYLOCUST'. Attractive rare small tree to 40 feet, with pinnate 8" leaves and small clusters of flowers followed by flat 10" pods. China and Mongolia. Zone 5. Nick seed to germinate in 2 weeks.
—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.
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.
—Glycyrrhiza lepidota. (b,g) GLYC-15. Packet: $2.00
1/4 Oz: $8.00, Oz: $20.00, 1/4 lb: $40.00
'AMERICAN LICORICE'. White to pale yellow 1/2" flowers in 1 - 2" clusters from May to August. Hardy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, with pinnate foliage. N. America. The sweet roots contain up to 6% glycyrrhizin, and were eaten and used as flavoring by the Indians. Young tender shoots eaten raw. Good soil improver, likes damp sandy soil. Soak, nick hard ones, or use hot water to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
"There is an immense body of information that has been published regarding Glycyrrhiza glabra (Eurasian Licorice) and G. uralensis (Chinese Licorice), but hardly any research regarding G. lepidota (American Licorice), in many respects a superior HERBAL medicine."—Michael Moore, herbalist.
GOMPHOLOBIUM (gom-fo-LO-bee-um)
LEGUMINOSAE. Spectacular Australian shrubs with bright lemon-yellow flowers. "These are among the most beautiful and spectacular flowering plants..."—Robinson. Good in California. Smoke treatment may help germination.
NEW—Gompholobium latifolium. (20) GOML-15. Packet: $2.50
'GIANT GLORY PEA'. Large, lemon-yellow 1 1/2" flowers on a shrub to 3 - 6 feet, with narrow, dark olive-green foliage. SE Australia. Best in well-drained soil and part shade. Nick seed to germinate in 2 - 3 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 & 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 & 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 Purple. (c,h) GOMP-2P. Packet: $2.50
—Gomphrena globosa White. (c,h) GOMP-2W. Packet: $2.50
—Gomphrena haageana Strawberry Fields. (c,h) GOMP-12S. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 56% Tested: 9/09, 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. Occasionally forms a magnificent clump 25 - 35 feet across. Best grown near a pond to insure a steady supply of moisture.
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 & 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
Germination: 80% Tested: 8/09, 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. 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.
GYPSOPHILA (JIP-so-FIL-a)
CARYOPHYLLACEAE. 'BABY'S BREATH', 'CLOUD PLANT'. Popular hardy annuals & perennials widely grown for their myriads of tiny starry flowers in large, spreading, mist-like clusters. Among the most valuable of florist and dried everlasting material. Easily grown in garden or greenhouse for their airy grace. Prefers full sun and stands dry rocky soils. Best in alkaline soil, use lime. Sow annuals in early spring where they are to grow. Perennials may be sown any time up to 8 weeks before frost. Sprouts in 1 - 3 weeks. Seed half-life 5 years.
Gypsophila elegans Varieties:
Hardy annual to 12 - 18", bearing a profusion of white, rosy or red flowers 1/4 - 1/2" wide or more, from June to frost. Popular florist material. Best sown every week during spring for succession cuttings. Sow in fall in hot climates. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Gypsophila elegans Covent Garden. (a!,h) GYP-5CG. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00
Highly selected large flowering pure white. One of the finest varieties for cut flowers. To 28".
Other Gypsophila Species:
NEW —Gypsophila briquetiana. (c,h) GYP-3. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 56% Tested: 11/09, 1/4 gram: $9.00, Gram: $24.00
White 1/2" flowers in clusters of 2 - 3, on 6 - 8" stems held above tiny, extremely compact buns of needle-like leaves, forming clusters of small mounds 1/2" high and 1 1/2" across. Very hardy and self-seeds. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Gypsophila repens rosea. (b,h) GYP-21R. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 76% Tested: 10/09, 5 grams: $8.00
'TRAILING BABY'S BREATH'. Starry rose flowers from deep rose buds, on a hardy perennial trailing plant to 6". Alps. Good for rockery and cascading down walls. A fine plant. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.