CRUCIFERAE. Showy herbaceous plants grown for their umbel-like flower clusters. Good for bedding, borders, window boxes, etc., doing well in ordinary soil. Good for cutting. Do not over-fertilize, especially avoid excess nitrogen. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, and the annuals bloom in a short time.
—Iberis gibraltarica. (b,h) IBER-5. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $14.00
'GIBRALTAR CANDYTUFT'. Produces a profusion of lilac or violet-rose flowers in early summer. Hardy evergreen perennial to 12". Spain, Morocco. Zone 6. Good in the rock garden. "Considered by some the most striking and showy of the perennial kinds."—L.H. Bailey. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, KNO3 helps.
IBERVILLEA (ee-ber- VIL-ee-a)
CUCURBITACEAE. Odd vines of the southwest, forming a woody caudex. Good in desert gardens or the warm cactus greenhouse. Rest dry in winter.
—Ibervillea maxima. (20) IBRV-10. Packet: $3.00
Rare caudex-forming cucurbit from Nayarit, México. Vines to 12 feet, with fuzzy leaves and yellow flowers. "Amazing caudex!"—J.L.G. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
IMPATIENS (im-PAY-shenz)
BALSAMINACEAE. A huge, widely-distributed genus of some 850 species, the garden kinds with showy flowers. Noted for the explosive pods, which eject the ripe seeds at a touch.
Impatiens Balsamina Varieties:
'GARDEN BALSAM', 'TOUCH-ME-NOT'. The popular annual to 1 - 2 feet, grown for its showy single or double flowers in a wide variety of colors - white, pink, red, lilac or yellow, either solid or spotted. Good for bedding. Easy from seed sown in spring to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks. Space 18". Any sandy garden soil, in light shade in hot areas, and give plenty of water. Tropical Asia. Cultivated since 1596.
—Impatiens Balsamina Camellia-Flowered Mix. (400) IMPA-2CX. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50, 100 grams: $17.00
Large fragrant double flowers in a nice range of colors from red, rose, bicolored, pink, and white, from July to frost. Hardy annual to 2 1/2 feet, doing well in shade with little care. A lovely old-fashioned annual, much nicer than the modern types.
—Impatiens Balsamina Tom Thumb (Double Bush) Mixed. (b,h) IMPA-2TX. Packet: $2.00
25 grams: $7.00, 100 grams: $20.00
Compact plants to 16". Good color range.
INDIGOFERA (in-di-GO-fer-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Pretty ornamental plants for the border, shrubbery and greenhouse. Some 700 species of perennials and shrubs with often showy spikes of flowers. Easy from seed; start early in the North. Some may have hard-shelled seed.
—Indigofera tinctoria. (d,g) INDI-23. Packet: $2.50
'TRUE INDIGO'. Reddish yellow flowers in racemes, pinnate leaves. Shrub to 2 - 6 feet, with silvery branches. Tropics. Zone 9. Indigo dye is produced by fermenting the herbage in water for 12 - 16 hours, straining the liquid, and agitating it for 2 - 3 hours, and the indigo settles out as a bluish mud. It is a permanent blue dye. Used by the early Egyptians. Considered sacred by many African tribes, the dye being a gift from the sky deities. Yields about 500 pounds indigo paste per acre. Cut 2 - 4 times the first year. Many medicinal uses. Soak seed, nick unswollen ones, germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
INULA (IN-yu-la)
COMPOSITAE. Showy Eastern Hemisphere perennials with daisy-like flowers and large basal leaves. Mostly hardy and easily grown. Best in full sun and does well in most soils.
—Inula Helenium. (b,h) INUL-9. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $18.00
'ELECAMPANE'. Large yellow 4" wide flowers on a robust hardy perennial to 6 feet, with leaves up to 2 feet long. Europe. Zone 3. A valuable medicinal herb; rich in inulin. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Inula magnifica. (c,h) INUL-15. Packet: $2.50
Spectacular 6" yellow orange flowers on foot-long stalks. Hardy perennial to 4 feet. Caucasus. Zone 3. A fine plant. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, improved by light, GA-3, or a prechill.
IPOMOEA (i-po-MEE-a or i-po-MAY-a, or even i-po-MOY-a)
CONVOLVULACEAE. 'MORNING GLORY'. Showy vines, trailers, shrubs and trees, valued for their beautiful flowers. Most are quickly and easily grown, liking full sun and good soil and water, but many thrive and bloom quicker and more abundantly under poor conditions. The tubers of some may be over-wintered like Dahlias. Soak seed a few hours and any that do not swell should be lightly nicked. Germinates in 5 - 14 days, some up to 40 days. Seed long lived, some 50 years.
—Ipomoea alba: see Calonyction aculeatum.
—Ipomoea coccinea. (25) IPOM-10. Packet: $2.50
'AMERICAN JASMINE', 'STAR GLORY'. Vivid scarlet 3/4" wide trumpets with yellow throats. Annual vine to 10 feet, with heart-shaped 6" leaves. E. U.S. Gives abundant bloom. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Ipomoea leptophylla. (10,h) IPOM-48. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $20.00
Click for photos »
'BUSH or TUMBLEWEED MORNING GLORY', 'MAN-OF-THE-EARTH'. Wine colored 3" flowers. Hardy perennial with bushy, upright stems to 4 feet. Narrow 5" leaves. Plains states. Zone 5. The enormous tuberous root, reaching the size and shape of a man's body, has been roasted and eaten as a famine food by plains Indians. Usually football sized, with tap root reaching water or bedrock. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Ipomoea lobata: See Mina Lobata
—Ipomoea magnusiana. (10) IPOM-51. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $7.50
Click for photos »
Dainty white 3/4" trumpets with a rosy-purple stigma. Vigorous vine with fuzzy stem and leaves. Rarely-seen South African species. Nick seed.
—Ipomoea Nil Candy Pink. (25) IPOM-56CP. Packet: $2.50
Large bright pink to wine-colored flowers. Hardy annual twiner to 12 feet, with heart-shaped leaves. Introduced by Darold Decker in 1955.
—Ipomoea Nil Scarlett O'Hara. (50,h) IPOM-56S. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50, 100 gm: $17.00
Showy dark wine red flowers profusely produced over a long period. Hardy annual vine to 10 feet or so, with large, heart-shaped leaves. Won the AAS Gold Medal in 1939. A wonderful old favorite. Soak, nick hard ones, germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
NEW—Ipomoea Nil 'Windmill Chocolate'. (10) IPOM-56WC. Packet: $2.50
Packet: $2.50, 10 grams: $12.00
Striking large chocolate-pink flowers with a prominent white star and a white edge. To 10 feet. Soak seed, nick hard ones, to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
NEW—Ipomoea Nil 'Windmill Rose-Red'. (10) IPOM-56RR. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $12.00
Stunning large deep rose-pink flowers with a prominent white star and white edge. To 10 feet. Soak seed, nick hard ones, to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Ipomoea Nil Wine and Roses. (d,h) IPOM-56WR. Packet: $2.50
Violet flowers with a white throat. Hardy annual vine to 10 feet, with heart-shaped leaves. Profuse bloomer from France. Nick and soak seed to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Ipomoea noctiflora: see Calonyction aculeatum.
—Ipomoea purpurea Bohemian Shades. (200) IPOM-64BH. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $11.00, 100 gm: $35.00
Pink and dark purple flowers with white throats. Hardy annual to 15 feet. A nice old-fashioned mix.
—Ipomoea purpurea Carnevale di Venezia. (150) IPOM-64CV. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $11.00, 100 gm: $35.00
Photos and info
Spectacular flowers of purple or pink striped white. Hardy annual to 15 feet. Very nice! Originally the 'Aomurasaki zyouhanten shibori' strain from Japan.
—Ipomoea purpurea Dacapo Light Blue. (150) IPOM-64DLB. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $11.00, 100 gm: $35.00
Beautiful pale blue flowers with a purple star and darker veins. Hardy annual to 15 feet.
—Ipomoea purpurea Grandpa Ott's. (d,h) IPOM-64GO. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
Beautiful deep purple flowers with a red star in the throat. Hardy annual to 15 feet, with heart-shaped leaves. This is the famous plant that triggered the creation of the Seed Saver's Exchange, when given to Kent Whealy by his wife Diane's grandfather, Baptist John Ott. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Ipomoea purpurea Hazelwood Blues. (150) . IPOM-64HZ. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $11.00, 100 gm: $35.00
White, lavender, and purple flowers, all with a dark star. Hardy annual to 15 feet.
NEW—Ipomoea purpurea Kniola's Purple-Black. (25) IPOM-64B. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $7.50
Stunning deep velvety purple-black 2 inch wide flowers, with a rosy throat and a white eye. Unique. Absolutely the deepest, darkest morning glory we have ever seen, they actually appear black when they first open in the morning light. Discovered by Mr. Kniola on an abandoned Indiana farm. Pronounced ka-NO-la. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks. "The most beautiful Ipomoea I ever saw."—M.L., Israel. Our seed is the true strain, grown for us by Mr. Kniola.
—Ipomoea purpurea La Vie en Rose. (150) IPOM-64VR. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $11.00, 100 gm: $35.00
Rose, pink, and a lovely, nearly white pale pink, all with darker pink stars. Beautiful delicate shades. Hardy annual to 15 feet.
—Ipomoea purpurea Shadow Dance. (150) IPOM-64SD. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $11.00, 100 gm: $35.00
Striking mix of pure white and deep purple flowers, making a nice contrast. Hardy annual vine.
—Ipomoea Quamoclit: see Quamoclit pennata.
—Ipomoea species China. (10,h) IPOM-SC. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $7.50
Purple flowers on a fuzzy annual with palmate leaves. China. Nick seed to germinate in a week.
Ipomoea tricolor Varieties: (= I. violacea)
Showy twining vines to 10 - 20 feet or more, with heart-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers to 5 - 6" across. México. Tender perennial grown as an annual. Easily grown in any garden, but prefers a light, rich, sandy soil and a sheltered sunny spot. Pot-bound plants give a good display. Excellent pot plant in the greenhouse or sunny window. Soak seed, nick hard ones (about half), germinates in 1 - 2 weeks warm.
"One of the most beautiful of annual climbers."—L.H. Bailey.
—Ipomoea tricolor Blue Star. (100) IPOM-1B. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $7.50, Pound: $28.00
Click for photo »
Large white to palest blue flowers with a blue star in the center. Choice! Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Ipomoea tricolor Heavenly Blue. (b,h) IPOM-1H. Packet: $1.50
Oz: $5.00
1/4 lb: $9.00
Pound: $18.00
Five pounds: $75.00
Ten pounds: $140.00
Click for photo »
(With Flying Saucers at bottom)'Clark's Earliest Heavenly Blue'. Pure sky blue shading to golden yellow in the throat. An old favorite, popular in rural areas for planting along roadside fences. Five pounds will plant a mile—a stupendous sight. A blend of Scarlet O'Hara, Pearly Gates and Heavenly Blue makes a patriotic red, white and blue display, a rural American tradition.
—Ipomoea tricolor Pearly Gates. (c,h) IPOM-1P. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $6.00, Pound: $40.00
Pure white with a faint creamy sheen in the throat. AAS Silver Medal in 1942.
—Ipomoea tricolor Wedding Bells. (10) IPOM-1WB. Packet: $3.00
Packet of ten seed: $3.00, 100 seed: $20.00
Click for photo »
WORLD EXCLUSIVE.
Beautiful large lavender flowers. Introduced by Darold Decker in 1962, who found it as a chance seedling in a field of Heavenly Blue. This variety was available until the mid 1980s, after which it nearly became extinct. After several years of growing this and increasing our seed stocks, we finally have enough to offer it as a world exclusive, simultaneously releasing it in Japan through A. Ishiguro.
—Ipomoea turbinata (=Ipomoea muricata) (20) IPOM-142. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $7.50
Pale lavender 3" flowers, sometimes pinkish with darker throats. Large climber to 15 feet or more with large 8" heart-shaped leaves. Tropical America.
IPOMOPSIS (ip-om-OP-sis)
POLEMONIACEAE. Annual and perennial herbs from the Americas. Related to Gilia, they are easily grown and give a profusion of bloom. Best in well-drained soil and a sunny spot. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Ipomopsis rubra. (=Gilia rubra) IPOP-21. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $12.00, 1/4 lb: $36.00
'STANDING CYPRESS', 'TEXAS PLUME'. Vivid scarlet inch-long trumpet shaped flowers, yellow spotted red inside, in long dense spikes in summer. Striking half hardy biennial to 3 - 6 feet, with feathery foliage. SE U.S. Good cut flowers. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks at cool to warm temperatures.
IRIS (EYE-ris)
IRIDACEAE. Popular showy perennials from rhizomes or bulb-like roots, and with interestingly-formed flowers in a wide array of colors and markings. Most are easily grown from seed, though some kinds take a while to germinate. They are very satisfying to start from seed - the sight of the tiny plants always makes me smile, as they are very appealing.
—Iris bucharica. (10) IRIS-29. Packet: $3.00
Creamy white standards and yellow falls, blooming in March and April. Hardy perennial to 1 - 2 feet, with glossy green channeled leaves with white margins. Central Asia. Zone 3. Germinates best with outdoor treatment, nicking helps. Hold pots.
—Iris chrysographes. (10,v) IRIS-42. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $10.00, 5 grams: $38.00 This unit out of stock, grams and packets still available.
'GOLDVEIN' or 'BLACK IRIS'. Deep velvety purple violet flowers, almost black, with variable gold veining. Hardy rhizomatous perennial to 1 1/2 feet, with 1/2" wide leaves. China. Zone 4. Choice! Give seed 6 - 12 weeks cold to germinate in 1 - 3 months.
—Iris laevigata. IRIS-146. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00, 25 grams: $18.00
'JAPANESE WATER IRIS'. Large flowers with drooping petals in summer, a clear blue, but may be in a variety of colors. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, growing in wet soil and shallow water. East Asia. Zone 3.
—Iris sibirica Mixed. IRIS-191X. Packet: $2.00
1/2 Oz: $8.00 (about 1200 seed), Oz: $12.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
A nice mix of blue, purple, white and red. Germinates in 1 - 4 months warm, prechill may help. Zone 3.
—Iris versicolor 'Kermesina'. (10) IRIS-252K. Packet: $2.50
Striking wine-magenta flowers with white markings, in June. Hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet. Zone 3.
"All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy."—Paracelsus (1493 - 1541)
JACARANDA (ja-ka-RAN-da or ha-ka-RAN-da)
BIGNONIACEAE. Showy warm-region trees grown for their abundant tubular flowers and usually ferny foliage. Good street and yard trees in California and the South. Good greenhouse or houseplants in the North. Best in well-drained soil and full sun. Seed germinates in 1 - 5 weeks at warm temperatures.
—Jacaranda mimosifolia. (d,h) JACA-16. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $22.50
Click for photo »
'JACARANDA'. Beautiful deep violet blue 2" foxglove-shaped fragrant flowers in 8" clusters of 40 - 90 blooms, abundantly produced sometimes twice a year, carpeting the ground beneath. Spreading, open-headed tree to 50 feet, with deep green, feathery bipinnate mimosa-like leaves. Brazil, Argentina. Both the fresh foliage and the flat round dried pods are valued in arranging. Good for tropical foliage effect in borders in the North, or as a tub plant for a sunny indoor corner. The wood is fragrant and called 'Green Ebony', and has been used in dyeing. "Ranks among the best flowering trees or shrubs for sub-tropical regions."—L. H. Bailey.
JALTOMATA (hal-to-MA-ta)
SOLANACEAE. Bushy plants from the warm regions of the Americas, some with beautiful flowers or edible berries. Thomas Mione's Jaltomata Home Page with lots of beautiful pictures and information.
—Jaltomata tlaxcala. (300) JALT-24. Packet: $3.00
5 grams: $19.00
Yellow-white flowers and green berries, on a plant to 2 feet. México. Interfertile with J. procumbens. Fruit said to be sweet and edible when ripe.
JOVELLANA (ho-ve-YA-na)
SCROPHULARIACEAE. From New Zealand and Chile.
NEW—Jovellana punctata. (400) JOVE-18. Packet: $2.50
Photo: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2008/09/jovellana_punctata.php
'CAPACHITO'. Clusters of pale violet-pink 1/2" flowers spotted purple, in summer. Tender perennial to 4 feet, with attractive foliage that is said to be minty-scented. Chile. Zone 8. Sheltered part shade.
JUNIPERUS (ju-NIP-er-us)
CUPRESSACEAE. Valuable attractive evergreens with scale-like or needle-like leaves, ranging from tall trees to trailing shrubs. Tough, drought resistant and adaptable to a wide range of climates from the arctic to the sub-tropics. The low kinds are good ground cover on banks and in the rock garden. Good hedge and windbreak material. They produce valuable close-grained aromatic wood, some yield aromatic oil for medicine and flavoring and some have edible fruits. Untreated seed may germinate the second or third year. Most kinds benefit from 30 - 120 days cold treatment, followed by germination in 20 - 60 days or more. Cool temperatures best; avoid warmth. Plant in sandy soil and hold pots over several years. Seed long-lived; lots have given 51% when 21 years old, and 17% at 45 years old. They require patience but are very rewarding and satisfying to grow from seed.
—Juniperus pachyphloea. (c,v) JUNI-24. Packet: $2.50
'ALLIGATOR JUNIPER', 'SWEET-FRUITED JUNIPER'. To 10 - 60 feet, with blue-green foliage and checkered bark. Texas, México. The brown 1/2" berries are sweet and edible. Hardy in the South. Zone 7. Germinates in 30 - 40 days without cold treatment, but percentage is improved by 30 - 60 days cold.
—Juniperus virginiana. (b,g) JUNI-48. Packet: $2.50
'EASTERN RED CEDAR', 'PENCIL CEDAR'. Tree to 30 - 100 feet, with needle-like foliage and 1/4" blue-black berries. Maine to Florida. Zone 3. The fragrant, insect-repellent wood is used for cedar chests and pencils, the volatile oil for scenting soaps and in perfumery. Give 30 - 120 days cold treatment to germinate in 20 - 70 days.
KIRENGESHOMA (kir-en-ge-SHO-ma)
HYDRANCEACEAE. One or two species.
NEW—Kirengeshoma palmata. (20) KIRE-4. Packet: $2.50
Info and photos: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54273/
Large, showy, nodding 1 1/2" yellow bells held above the foliage in fall. Hardy perennial to 2 - 4 feet, with large, soft, lobed 8" leaves. Woodlands of Japan. Zone 5. Moist part shade.
KITAIBELIA (ki-tai-BEE-lee-a)
MALVACEAE. A single species of the Danube.
—Kitaibelia vitifolia. (d,g) KITA-12. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $6.00
Large white 2" mallow-like flowers, sometimes rose. Bold hardy perennial to 8 feet, with 8" lobed leaves. Zone 5. Easy in ordinary soil, full sun. Blooms July to October. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks warm. Some lots need light nicking.
KNAUTIA (NOW-tee-a)
DIPSACEAE. Hardy annual and perennial Eurasian herbs closely related to Scabiosa. Long-stalked heads of lilac, yellow or purple flowers. They are nice wildflowers for the border or wild garden. Some species are grown for medicinal use. They prefer a light soil in a sunny place, flowering from July on.
—Knautia macedonica Melton's Pastels. (e,h) KNAU-34M. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $25.00
Pastel shades of pink, wine red, salmon, and light blue flowers in dense heads, June to September. Hardy perennial to 4 feet, with attractive divided foliage. Central Europe. Zone 5. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
KNIPHOFIA (nip-HOH-fee-a)
LILIACEAE. 'TORCH LILY', 'RED-HOT-POKER'. Showy perennials from thick roots. Red and yellow tubular flowers in dense spikes. Some of the most striking fall flowering plants. Clumps of grass-like leaves. Hardy to Zone 6; in severe climates, dig roots. Likes well-drained sunny spots. Easy from seed, germinates in 2 - 3 weeks. Started early indoors they may bloom the first season.
—Kniphofia citrina. (50) KNIP-6. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $15.00
Cream to yellow-green to yellow-orange inch-long flowers in dense spikes in June to September. Hardy evergreen perennial to 30", with thick, bright green leaves. S. Africa. Zone 6. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Kniphofia Uvaria Royal Castle O. P. Hybrids. (b,h) KNIP-24R. Packet: $2.50
379/g, 10 grams: $7.50, 25 grams: $12.00
Flowers in red, orange and yellow shades in dense 10" spikes. To 2 - 5 feet. South Africa. Zone 5. This is a fine European strain. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
KOLKWITZIA (KOLK-vitz-EE-a)
CAPRIFOLIACEAE. A single showy species.
—Kolkwitzia amabilis. (c,g) KOLK-4. Packet: $2.50
'BEAUTY-BUSH'. Masses of bell-shaped 1/2" pink flowers with yellow throats, in May and June, followed by attractive pinkish-brown fruits. Graceful arching deciduous shrub to 15 feet, with grey-green 3" leaves and peeling bark. Central China. Zone 4. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks or so.
KOSTELETZKYA (kos-te-LETCH-kya)
MALVACEAE. Widespread mallows.
NEW—Kosteletzkya virginica. (10) KOST-25. Packet: $3.00
Photos: http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Kosteletzkya/gallery.html
Info: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2744/
Photos and info: http://www.alabamaplants.com/Pinkalt/Kosteletzkya_virginica_page.html
'SEASHORE MALLOW'. Large light pink hibiscus-like 3" flowers with yellow stripes, in summer to fall. Hardy perennial to 3 - 5 feet, with triangular leaves. Coastal marshes, E. N. America. Zone 5. Soak, nick hard ones, to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.