LABIATAE. 'BASIL'. Aromatic tender annuals grown in the herb garden for their value as seasoning and fragrance. The leaves are widely used in sauces and soups, the flavor blending particularly well with tomatoes. The clove-like fragrance has been considered soothing, and a cure for nervous headaches. Basil tea is said to calm an upset stomach. Start seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost, and plant out after all danger of frost is past. Thin to 6" apart. Basil likes full sun, and all types do well in pots. Harvest fresh leaves anytime. For drying, cut just before it reaches full bloom. Seed viable 8 - 10 years. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Ocimum Basilicum Ararat. (b,h) OCIM-1A. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 82% Tested: 9/07, 5 grams: $11.50
An interesting basil with leaves mottled purple and green, with a licorice flavor. Unique.
—Ocimum Basilicum Cinnamon. (a!,h) OCIM-1C. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 85% Tested: 1/08, Oz: $6.00
'CINNAMON BASIL'. Spicy aroma, purple flowers, to 30". A fine variety. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Ocimum Basilicum Dark Opal. (a!,h) OCIM-1D. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 9/07, Gram: $5.00, 5 grams: $15.00
Purple leaves, pink flowers. Fragrant, tasty and ornamental. To 2 feet with 2 - 8" leaves.
—Ocimum Basilicum Large Sweet. (a!,h) OCIM-1S. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 90% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $9.00
The most popular and widely grown variety. Sweet and aromatic 2 - 3" leaves. To 1 - 2 feet tall.
—Ocimum Basilicum Lime. (a,h) OCIM-1LI. Packet: $1.50 ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 65% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $6.00 ORGANIC SEED
'LIME BASIL'. Has a zesty lime flavor.
—Ocimum gratissimum (=urticifolium) (b,h) OCIM-3. Packet: $2.00
'TREE BASIL', 'EAST INDIAN BASIL'. White or purple tinged flowers in 6 - 9" long spikes. Woody shrub to 4 - 8 feet tall, with highly aromatic, sweet-scented 4" leaves used in cooking. India, Africa, S. America. Said to repel mosquitoes, and is planted around houses for this purpose. Used to flavor tobacco in Africa. Grows well in the warm areas of the U.S., especially recommended for S. California. Grow as annual in cold areas. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
NEW—Ocimum sanctum. (a!,h) OCIM-24. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 98% Tested: 10/07, 5 Grams: $5.00, 10 grams: $8.00, 25 grams: $15.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
'HOLY BASIL', 'TULSI'. Sweetly fragrant bushy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, grown as an annual in cold climates. Profuse purple or white bloom, & sometimes purplish-tinted foliage. Tropical Asia. Held sacred by the Hindus & grown around temples. Sections of the stem-bases are used in rosaries. The leaves are used in salads, and the oil is an effective antibiotic, and the leaves are used medicinally. Nice, distinctive clove-like flavor, good in cooking, salads, or for tea. Good in herb breads and herb butters. Good bee plant. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks. Organically grown.
OENOTHERA (ee-NO-ther-a)
ONAGRACEAE. 'EVENING PRIMROSE', 'SUNDROPS'. Showy, sun-loving plants valued for their bright yellow, rose or white flowers. A large and wide ranging group of annuals, biennials and perennials, generally preferring sunny dry open ground. Easy from seed in ordinary soil. Start in March, germinates in 1 - 3 weeks. Set out in May. Some are tall upright plants, others stemless, a few, trailers. The 'evening primroses' open in late afternoon with startling rapidity and attract nocturnal moths. The 'sun drops' open in the daytime. The flowers are often delicately perfumed. The perennials make nice clumps with age. They are variable and prone to mutation, and have been used in studies of evolution. The genus name is said to come from the Greek meaning 'wine-scenting' or 'wine-hunting', referring to the ancient use of the roots to flavor wine, or the more recent use of the roots of O. biennis eaten after meals with wine, as olives are today. They have a history of edible and medicinal use, & are the object of current research. The oil of the seed of O. Lamarckiana, biennis and others contains gamma-linolenic acid, (GLA) formerly found in substantial amounts only in human milk. GLA is involved in biosynthesis of prostaglandins, and there have been many claims for its effectiveness in treating a variety of ailments from obesity to hangover, high serum cholesterol, schizophrenia, & multiple sclerosis.
—Oenothera Berlandieri. (a!,h) OENO-6. Packet: $2.00 Click for photo »
'MEXICAN EVENING PRIMROSE'. Rose-pink 2" flowers on slender stems. Pretty annual or perennial to 6", Texas and México. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Oenothera biennis. (a!,h) OENO-7. Packet: $2.00
'EVENING PRIMROSE'. Sweet-scented lemon yellow 1 - 2" flowers open in the evening. Hardy biennial or annual to 3 - 6 feet, with large rosettes of lance-shaped basal leaves. E. N. America. The thick roots are edible, with a sweet, parsnip/salsify flavor, harvested at the end of the first season. Young leaves and shoots eaten as a potherb, the flowers added to salads, the young pods eaten, and the seed oil is rich in GLA. Surface sow, to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Oenothera Lamarckiana. (a!,h) OENO-33. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 86% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
'LARGE-FLOWERED EVENING PRIMROSE'. Large bright yellow 2 - 3" flowers with red sepals, in summer. Hardy biennial to 5 feet, with broad, crinkled leaves. A wonderful and variable species, of unknown origin. (=glazioviana & erythrosepala) Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Oenothera pallida. (a,h) OENO-45. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 88% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $16.00
'WHITE EVENING PRIMROSE'. Large, white, fragrant 1 1/2" flowers in the afternoon. Hardy perennial to 14" with narrow leaves. California to the Rockies. Drought resistant summer bloom. Germinates in a week.
—Oenothera speciosa. (a,h) OENO-58. Packet: $3.00
'WHITE SUN-DROP'. White 2" flowers ageing pink or rose, June to September. Hardy day-flowering annual or perennial to 1 - 2 feet, with running rhizomes & 1 - 3" leaves. Kansas to México. Zone 5. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
"The only possible alternative to being either the oppressed or the oppressor is voluntary cooperation..." —Errico Malatesta.
OLEA (O-lee-a)
OLEACEAE. Handsome evergreen trees and shrubs grown for food, ornament and medicine in mild climates. Seed viable several years at room temp.
—Olea africana. (e,v) OLEA-1. Packet: $3.00
'WILD OLIVE'. Small, dense-crowned, umbrella-shaped tree, not over 30 feet tall. Dark green 3" leaves and tiny creamy flowers followed by round 1/4" black fruits. The twigs and undersides of the leaves are covered with tiny scales. Native to South Africa. Often found growing among rocks. The olives are edible, and the wood hard and valuable. Good for arid regions and severe environments. The leaves have been used as a condiment & tea.
—Olea europaea. (e,f-g) OLEA-5. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $5.00
'OLIVE'. Broad-crowned tree to 10 - 60 feet, with narrow, dark green leaves, silvery beneath, and numerous fragrant creamy flowers followed by purple-black fruits. Mediterranean. Extensively grown for olives and olive oil wherever the minimum temperature is 15°F. Bears 3 - 5 years from seed. Clip pointed end of seed or sow in fall. Germinates in 5 - 20 weeks. Sow in sandy soil.
OPERCULINA (o-PER-ku-LEE-oa)
CONVOLVULACEAE. Morning glory-like plants related to Merremia. They range from large, woody jungle lianas to small herbaceous vines, with usually large white, yellow or reddish flowers, followed by odd pods with large sepals & opening by a lid-like top. The pods may be useful in dried arrangements.
—Operculina brownii. (10,h) OPER-5. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 70% Tested: 1/08, 1/4 Oz: $6.00, Oz: $12.00
'BUSH POTATO'. White morning glory-like flowers followed by interesting pods with a spreading calyx. Vine with heart-shaped leaves, will climb or form nice mats of foliage on the ground. Australia. Tubers eaten by the aborigines. Nick seed, soak till swollen, germinates in 4 - 8 weeks.
ORIGANUM (o-RI-ga-num)
LABIATAE. Easily grown annual & perennial herbs popular for kitchen seasoning and ornament. Best in full sun and warm, dry, well-drained soil. Sow on the surface to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks or so. Seed viable 3 - 5 years. Classification a bit confused.
—Origanum Majorana. (a!,g) ORIG-30. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 10 grams: $5.00
'SWEET MARJORAM'. Aromatic tender perennial to 2 feet. Tiny white or lilac flowers in summer. Much used in soups, stews, with meats, etc.
ORNITHOGALUM (or-ni-tho-GAL-um)
LILIACEAE. Widely distributed Eastern Hemisphere bulbs. The hardy kinds are fairly carefree and good for naturalizing and wild gardens. Tender species good in pots in the greenhouse or in California. As good as tulips & freesias in pots. Good cut flowers.
—Ornithogalum nutans. (e,h) ORNI-27. Packet: $2.50 Click for photo »
(With Muscari
caucasicum)'NODDING STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM'. Large, nodding, 2" wide flowers are white inside, green edged white outside, in 3 - 12 flowered racemes, in spring. Hardy perennial (Zone 5) to 20", with pale green grass-like leaves. Middle East. A fine bulb. Excellent for naturalizing. Germinates in 8 - 12 weeks at 40°F, blooms midsummer. "Just meant to be planted with Muscari caucasicum." —Bertrand.
ORTHOCARPUS (or-tho-KAR-pus)
SCROPHULARIACEAE. Annuals grown for their often showy bright clusters of bracts. Hemiparasitic on the roots of other plants, but never harmful.
—Orthocarpus purpurascens. (a!,g) ORTHC-19. Packet: $2.00
'ESCOBITA'. Bright magenta-pink bracts in dense heads, and crimson or purple inch-long flowers. Showy annual to 12", with finely divided leaves. California, where "they are often so abundant that they give the country a purplish hue for miles at a stretch." —Parsons.
OXYDENDRON (ox-ee-DEN-dron)
ERICACEAE. A single species.
—Oxydendron arboreum. (a!,f-h) OXYD-1. Packet: $2.00
'SOURWOOD', 'SORRELTREE'. White urn-shaped 1/3" flowers in graceful 10" panicles in midsummer. Handsome tree to 80 feet, with deeply fissured bark and bright green leaves which turn scarlet in fall. Eastern N. America. Hardy & easily grown in most soils. Slow-growing; nice in the shrubbery. Stands shade well. Good honey plant. The leaves are sometimes chewed or added to salads for their pleasantly acidic taste. Sow on the surface of peaty soil to germinate in 2 - 16 weeks.
OXYTROPIS (ox-ee-TROP-is)
LEGUMINOSAE. A large genus of low, deep-rooted Astragalus-like perennials & sub-shrubs of the North Hemisphere. Best in sandy, gravelly, well-drained sold and full sun. Good in the rock garden.
—Oxytropis Lambertii. (b,g) OXYT-144. Packet: $2.00
'SHOWY LOCOWEED', 'PURPLE LOCO'. Showy purple 1" flowers in dense heads or spikes, April to August. Hardy tufted perennial, often silky. with pinnate 4 - 9" leaves, from a massive woody root. Prairies, Saskatchewan to Texas. Nick seed to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Oxytropis megalantha. (e,h) OXYT-156. Packet: $2.50 Click for photo »
Large purple-violet 1" pea-like flowers in small clusters held above the silvery-grey mound of pinnate foliage. To 4" high and 8" across with age. Japan. "The leaves are just as silvery as it gets. Blooms all summer." —Bertrand. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
"True social harmony grows naturally out of solidarity of interest..." —E. Goldman.
PAEONIA (pe-O-nee-a)
PAEONIACEAE. Hardy and long-lived perennials or shrubs from thick roots. The species come true from seed and are interesting to grow, blooming in about 3 years. Any soil, but dig deeply. Herbaceous kinds bloom best in cold climates. Sow in fall or give 2 - 3 months cold treatment to germinate in 3 months to 1 year or more. Cover seed. Always hold pot over at least one year in a moist shady spot. Seed viable 3 - 4 years, giving good germination.
—Paeonia Delavayi Hybrids. (5,h) PAEO-12H. Packet: $5.00
'MAROON TREE PEONY'. Large 3" flowers in shades from chestnut-brown and crimson, to orange and yellow, in May to July. Hardy shrub to 4 - 6 feet, with dark green divided leaves. W. China. Zone 5.
—Paeonia lactiflora. (e,h) PAEO-48. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $12.00 (New Price)
BAI SHAO', 'CHINESE or GARDEN PEONY'. Fragrant white to pink or red 3 - 4" flowers in June. Hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with divided leaves. Siberia to China. Zone 5. Roots were eaten by north Asian nomads, and the seeds powdered and added to tea. Used in Chinese medicine. Root germinates in 2 - 6 months warm, then needs a cold period for the leaf to germinate.
—Paeonia suffruticosa. (e,h) PAEO-76. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $9.00 (New Price)
'MOUTAN', 'TREE PEONY'. Rose-pink to white 6" wide flowers with a dark patch at the petal bases. Hardy shrub to 7 feet, with bipinnate foliage, blooming in May. Tibet & China. Zone 5. Cultivated since 700 AD, it became a rage in China in the 800s. Many varieties exist. Root germinates in 1 - 8 months, then needs cold or GA-3 to trigger leaves. Perhaps best sown in July or August. Year-old seed germinates best.
PANCRATIUM (pan-KRA-tee-um)
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Warm-region summer-blooming bulbs with fragrant white flowers in umbels. Likes heat and plenty of fertilizer and water while growing. Rest dry after bloom. Good in pots of light rich soil. The name means 'all powerful', referring to the medicinal properties. The beauty of the flowers inspired the name 'spirit lily'.
—Pancratium maritimum. (5,h) PANC-12. Packet: $3.00
'SAND LILY'. Very fragrant 2 - 3" white flowers with a central, daffodil-like cup surrounded by six spreading white petals, in large umbels of 4 - 10 blooms, August to October. Strap like leaves to 20". Grows in coastal dunes in the Mediterranean. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks or so at warm temperatures.
PAPAVER (PA-pa-ver or pa-PA-ver)
PAPAVERACEAE. Widely distributed annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs. Well-known garden favorites with brilliant showy flowers and attractive pods. Easily grown but many resent transplanting. Most like hot, sunny, well-drained spots. Sow on the surface, often germinating best at cool (50 - 60°F) temperatures. GA-3 improves many. Seed viable 3 - 25 years. It has been said that no other plants have eased so much human suffering, or caused so much, as the poppies. Most germinate in 1 - 4 weeks. Many poppies germinate best at cool (50°F) temps.
NEW—Papaver aculeatum. (a,f) PAPA-1. Packet: $2.00
'SOUTH AFRICAN POPPY', Orange or scarlet-orange 2" flowers. Hardy annual to 2 - 4 feet, with bristly stems. South Africa. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Papaver alpinum Mixed. (b,h) PAPA-2X. Packet: $3.00 OUT OF STOCK
'ALPINE POPPY'. Fragrant 1 - 2" flowers in bright shades of yellow, rose, orange, and white. Very hardy tufted perennial to 10", with finely divided lacy foliage. Alps. Germinates in 2 weeks.
—Papaver atlanticum. (a!,h) PAPA-9. Packet: $2.50
'ATLAS POPPY'. Orange or scarlet 3" flowers; club-shaped pods. Hoary perennial to 2 feet, from a thick woody root. Mountains of Morocco, 6000 - 7000 feet. Rare.
NEW—Papaver atlanticum flore plena. (a!,g) PAPA-9F. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $5.00, 5 grams: $10.00
'DOUBLE ATLAS POPPY'. Semi-double bright tangerine or apricot-orange 2" flowers on wiry stems, held above a low mat of grey-green foliage. Hardy perennial to 1 - 2 feet. Morocco. Zone 5.
NEW—Papaver dubium 'Greek Poppy', (a!,g) PAPA-15G. Packet: $2.00 Click for photo »
Gram: $5.00, 5 grams: $15.00, 10 grams: $25.00
Stunning deep scarlet 2" flowers with black spots at the base of each petal. Very free flowering annual, excellent here in California. Brought from Greece by my father in his coat pocket. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Papaver laciniata. (a!,h) PAPA-20. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 88% Tested: 10/07, 1/2 Oz: $5.00, Oz: $8.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Fully double, bright pink, frilled 5" flowers followed by large, ornamental pods. Grey-green hardy annual to 2 - 3 feet. Sow in early spring or fall.
—Papaver nudicaule San Remo. (b,h) PAPA-28SR. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 80% Tested: 9/07, 10 grams: $6.50, 25 grams: $12.50, 50 grams: $20.00
A nice variety of Iceland Poppy for cutting, with large flowers in shades of rose, salmon, orange, yellow, cream and red, on long stems. To 2 feet.
—Papaver orientale Beauty of Livermere. (=P. bracteatum) (b,h) PAPA-30L. Packet: $2.00
Large, deep glowing crimson-red flowers. To 3 feet. Said to be a good choice for thebaine production.
—Papaver orientale Brilliant. (b,h) PAPA-30B. Packet: $2.00
Vivid fiery scarlet. To 30". Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Papaver orientale Queen Alexandra (=Carneum). (b,h) PAPA-30Q. Packet: $2.50
Large salmon-pink flowers with black centers, to 3 feet.
—Papaver orientale Formula Mix. (a!,h) PAPA-30X. Packet: $2.00
A fine formula mixture. To 3 feet.
—Papaver orientale Pizzicato. (b,h) PAPA-30P. Packet: $3.00
Scarlet, orange, salmon, mauve, rose, pink & white. Semi-tall, to 20". Fleuroselect Gold Medal.
—Papaver orientale Royal Wedding. (b,h) PAPA-30RW. Packet: $3.50
Large pure white flowers with black centers, on a hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet. Absolutely stunning and choice! Also called 'Black and White'.
—Papaver paeonyflorum Black Peony. (a!,h) PAPA-32BP. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 82% Tested: 10/07, 4000/g, Gram: $$6.00, 5 grams: $16.00, 10 grams: $28.00
Large fully double flowers in the darkest purple-maroon. Hardy annual to 3 feet. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver paeonyflorum Pink & Red. (a!,h) PAPA-32P. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $9.00, 1/4 lb: $24.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Pink and red fully double flowers. Hardy annual to 2 1/2 feet or more. Can be sown in fall. Germinates in 2 weeks.
—Papaver paeonyflorum Venus. (a!,h) PAPA-32V. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 86% Tested: 9/07, 5 grams: $6.00 (about 13,000 seed), 25 grams: $16.00, 50 grams: $24.00
Large double salmon-colored flowers with round petals. Hardy annual. Nice. Germinates in a week.
—Papaver paeonyflorum White Cloud. (a,g) PAPA-32W. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 81% Tested: 9/07, 5 grams: $6.00, 25 grams: $16.00, 50 grams: $24.00
Large double white flowers with fringed, laciniated petals. Hardy annual to 3 feet, with large ornamental pods. Nice! Germinates in a week.
—Papaver Rhoeas American Legion. (a!!,h) PAPA-38A. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 90% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $6.00
Single scarlet with black or white cross in the center. An old fashioned classic. Germinates in a week.
—Papaver Rhoeas Single Shirley Mixed. (a!!,h) PAPA-38SX. Packet: $1.25
Germination: 99% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $5.00
Single flowered types in a range of colors. To 30".
—Papaver Rhoeas Wild Type. (a!,h) PAPA-38. Packet: $2.00
5 grams: $6.00, 10 grams: $9.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'CORN POPPY'. Striking deep cinnabar-red 2" flowers with a black blotch at the base of each petal. Hardy annual to 3 feet, with pinnately divided leaves. Eurasia. The original form of an important species with over 30 botanical varieties and innumerable horticultural forms. The seeds are used on cakes like ordinary poppyseeds, but have their own flavor. A fine oil is expressed from them, being valued like olive oil. The petals were made into a deep red syrup, used to color soups and other foods.
NEW—Papaver s. Danebrog. (a!,h) PAPA-43DB. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 84% Tested: 11/07, 5 grams: $6.00, 10 grams: $9.00, 25 grams: $18.00
'DANISH FLAG', 'DANISH CROSS'. This is the famous variety with large, single, pure brilliant scarlet 3 - 5" flowers with a pure white cross in the center, and with fringed-edged petals. Hardy annual to 2 1/2 - 5 feet. Absolutely one of the most stunning poppies, this is an antique variety over 100 years old. My favorite. Germinates in a week or two.
—Papaver s. Florist Pod. (a!,h) PAPA-43FP. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 86% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $9.00, 1/4 lb: $28.00, lb: $85.00
Produces the large egg-shaped pods seen in florist's dried arrangements. Hardy annual.
—Papaver s. The Giant. (a!,h) PAPA-43G. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 90% Tested: 9/07
5 grams: $7.00 (about 12,000 seed), 10 grams: $10.00, 25 grams: $20.00, 100 grams: $40.00
Specially-selected florist strain, developed for the huge pods used in dried arrangements. Hardy annual. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver s. Hen & Chickens (a!,h) PAPA-43HC. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 81% Tested: 9/07, 5 grams: $6.00 (about 9500 seed), 10 grams: $9.00, 25 grams: $18.00, 100 grams: $36.00
Odd pods with a large central pod surrounded at the base by several tiny pods, the 'mother hen and her chicks'. Unusual in dried arrangements. Large pale lilac flowers. Annual. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver s. Pepperbox. (a!,h) PAPA-43PB. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 92% Tested: 10/07, 10 grams: $6.00, 25 grams: $10.00, 100 grams: $20.00
Handsome large pods which open when ripe to shed the seed, providing a dual crop, edible seed plus pods for the dried flower market. Annual. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver s. Persian White. (a!!,h) PAPA-43W. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 98% Tested: 2/08, Oz: $5.00 (about 100,000 seed), 1/4 lb: $10.00
Pure white flowers on a small hardy annual to 2 - 3 feet or so. The white seeds are valued in Middle Eastern cooking for their mild flavor. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver s. Sawyer's Mixture. (b,h) PAPA-43SW. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 88% Tested: 9/07, 2300/g, Gram: $6.00, 5 grams: $16.00
Red, purple, and mauve flowers, both singles and doubles. Hardy annual to 2 feet. Nice. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver s. Single Lilac. (a!,h) PAPA-43SL. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 90% Tested: 10/07, 10 grams: $6.00, 25 grams: $10.00, 100 grams: $20.00
Large single lilac flowers and medium-sized pods. Hardy annual to 30". Nice. Germinates in 1 week at cool temperatures.
PARADISEA (par-a-DI-see-a)
LILIACEAE. Two lily-like species from Europe.
—Paradisea lusitanica. (d,v) PARA-8. Packet: $2.00
White 3/4" lily-like flowers in May and June. Robust hardy perennial to 2 - 5 feet, with strap-like 3/4" wide leaves. Thick roots. Portugal. Zone 7.
PARKINSONIA (PAR-kin-son-EE-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. American & African ornamental feathery-leaved trees of arid regions. Nick and soak seed to germinate in 1 - 5 weeks at warm temperatures.
—Parkinsonia aculeata. (c,h) PARK-4. Packet: $1.50 OUT OF STOCK Click for photo »
Oz: $5.00 (about 470 seed) OUT OF STOCK
'JERUSALEM THORN', 'PALO VERDE'. Fragrant yellow five-petaled inch-wide flowers in 6" spikes, one petal turning red, followed by 2 - 6" pods. Graceful small green-barked tree to 10 - 30 feet, often with somewhat weeping branches. Long, narrow, feathery pinnate 16" leaves. Texas to S. America. Zone 8. Fast growing, stands heat, drought, salinity. Excellent firewood, erosion control and animal fodder, cultivated in Africa & India.
PASSIFLORA (pass-i-FLO-ra)
PASSIFLORACEAE. Showy tropical tendril-climbing vines grown for the unusual flowers & often edible fruits. Good in the greenhouse. Best in a rich fibrous soil and given plenty of manure and water while growing. Warm temperatures and nicking the seed often helps germination. Often a day or so of 110 - 120°F may trigger germination.
—Passiflora caerulea. (c,g-h) PASS-8. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $10.00 , 10 grams: $16.00
Click for photo»
'BLUE PASSIONFLOWER'. Showy 3 - 4" lightly fragrant flowers with blue corona and white or pinkish petals, blooming summer till frost, followed by yellow to orange 2 1/2" egg-shaped edible fruits. Vigorous climber with divided leaves. Brazil to Argentina. Root hardy to about Zone 6 or 7. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks warm, cold or GA-3 helps.
—Passiflora coriacea. (e,h) PASS-10. Packet: $3.00
'BAT-LEAF PASSIONFLOWER'. Yellow-green 1 1/2" flowers followed by round 3/4" fruits. Striking peltate, two-lobed 10" wide leaves suggest a bat-shape. México to Bolivia. Unusual. Germinates in 4 - 10 weeks.
—Passiflora cuprea. (e,v) PASS-11. Packet: $3.00
Elegant maroon flowers with long slender petals. Tender perennial evergreen vine to 40 feet, with oval, blue-green leaves. Sun or part shade, hardy to 25°F.
—Passiflora incarnata. (c,v) PASS-17. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
1/4 Oz: $7.00, Oz: $16.00 OUT OF STOCK
'MAYPOPS', 'WILD PASSIONFLOWER'. Cream or yellowish 2" flowers with purple or pink corona. Yellow 2" edible fruits. Hardy perennial vine with 3-lobed leaves. Virginia to the Tropics. Cultivated by the Indians. The hardiest species, to Zone 4 or 5 if given a heavy mulch. Medicinal.
—Passiflora maliformis. (10,v) PASS-24. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
'SWEET CUP', 'CONCH APPLE'. Large white 3 - 5" flowers with violet-mottled petals and violet corona, followed by 1 1/2 - 2" yellow-green fruits with a hard rind and sweet, aromatic, grape-flavored pulp that is scooped from the shell and eaten with wine and sugar. Vine with 4" leaves. West Indies.
—Passiflora mollissima. (e,v) PASS-29. Packet: $3.00
100 seed: $12.00
'PINK BANANA PASSIONFRUIT'. Rampant evergreen climber with soft green deeply 3-lobed foliage. Pendant, long-tubed, 3" wide pink or rose flowers up to 5" long. Yellow 3" edible fruits. Andes. Zone 8. Extremely fast growing, good for quick cover. Germinates in 3 - 12 weeks.
—Passiflora Panama Red. (e,f) PASS-PR. Packet: $3.00
Large reddish fruits to 3 1/2" long, well-filled with pulp. Vigorous vine and productive. Said to be an edulis X edulis flavicarpa hybrid. Germinates in 4 weeks and up.
—Passiflora rubra. (10,f) PASS-52. Packet: $3.00
'ZOMBI APPLE'. Creamy to yellow 2" flowers produced abundantly. Red & cream striped fruits, said to be edible. Vine with attractive 4" downy, two-lobed leaves. West Indies to Brazil. The leaves are used in Haiti as a compress for rheumatism. Germinates in 4 - 10 weeks. Heat helps.
—Passiflora subpelta. (d,g) PASS-87. Packet: $3.00
'GRANADINA'. Small pure white 1 - 2" flowers borne abundantly, followed by 11/2" fruits with little pulp. Small 3-lobed leaves. México to South America. Germinates in 3 - 12 weeks warm.
—Passiflora trifasciata. (d,v) PASS-96. Packet: $3.00
Fragrant 1 1/2" ivory-white flowers followed by round 1" fruits. Vine with 3-lobed 2 - 4" leaves that are mottled white along the veins above, and reddish to violet below. Peru and Brazil.
—Passiflora vitifolia X coccinea Hybrid. (e,v) PASS-124H. Packet: $3.00
'SCARLET PASSIONFLOWER'. Brilliant scarlet 5 - 7" flowers on a vigorous vine. Edible fruits. Germinates in 4 - 28 weeks warm.
PATERSONIA (pa-ter-SO-nee-a)
IRIDACEAE. 'AUSTRALIAN FLAG'. Pretty summer-blooming Australian Sisyrinchium -like perennials with blue, yellow or white flowers in clusters. Narrow leaves rising from rhizomes. Best from seed. Should do well in California; try it in dry soil. Smoke treatment may help germination.
NEW—Patersonia umbrosa. (d,v) PATE-24. Packet: $2.00
'DELL AUSTRALIAN FLAG'. Large, rich blue flowers to 3" across. Narrow leaves to 2 feet long. Australia. One of the best species.
PAULOWNIA (pa-LOW-nee-a)
BIGNONIACEAE or SCROPHULARIACEAE. Ornamental Chinese deciduous trees somewhat resembling Catalpa, grown for their large, showy clusters of beautiful foxglove-like flowers. Best in deep loam in mild climates, will thrive and flower as far north as New York, and are root hardy to Montreal. Excellent shade trees. Very fast growing when young, and used as pulp, cabinet and firewood. Easy from seed. Sow on the surface as light helps. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks (up to 20 weeks). Seed gives high germination for more than 4 years.
—Paulownia tomentosa (=imperialis). (a!,h) PAUL-4. Packet: $1.50 OUT OF STOCK
1/2 Oz: $5.00 OUT OF STOCK
'EMPRESS TREE', 'ROYAL PAULOWNIA'. Showy, fragrant, 2" long, pale violet-blue foxglove-like flowers striped yellow and spotted inside, in large upright pyramidal clusters to 10" long in April & May, before the leaves have fully emerged. Top-shaped pods. Large, tropical-looking velvety foot-long leaves. Fast growing to 30 - 70 feet. China. The wood is used for cabinetry, fenceposts and houses in China, where the flowers are fed to swine to fatten them, and the tree has many medicinal uses, and the leaves are used to wash hair to restore its color and thickness. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.