CONVOLVULACEAE. Showy, easily grown, mostly annual tropical twiners. Treat like morning glory. Now generally classed in Mina and Ipomoea.
—Quamoclit X Sloteri. (e,h) QUAM-12. Packet: $2.50
40/g, 10 grams: $6.00, 25 grams: $10.00
'CARDINAL CLIMBER'. Intense cardinal-red 2" long flowers with white throats. Hardy annual with divided leaves. Hybrid between Quamoclit coccinea and Q. pennata. Striking. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
RATIBIDA (ra-TEE-bee-da)
COMPOSITAE. 'PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER' Hardy perennial North American wildflowers grown for their large, striking, showy yellow to purple flowers. Sow in March and April for possible bloom the first year. Space 1 - 2 feet. Easy from seed in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Ratibida columnifera Red-Yellow. (a!,h) RATI-6RY. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $18.00
'MEXICAN HAT'. Bright flowers with drooping petals vary from red edged and tipped yellow, to pure yellow. Column-like center. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with narrow divided foliage, giving a good show in summer. Great Plains, Canada to México. Zone 4. Germinates in about a week, The leaves and flower-heads were used as a tea by Dakota Indians.
RHAMNUS
RHAMNACEAE. Handsome deciduous or evergreen shrubs and trees valued for their attractive foliage. Good in shelterbelts and for wildlife food.
—Rhamnus Purshiana. RHAM-38. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $10.00
'CASCARA SAGRADA'. An attractive deciduous shrub or tree to 15 - 50 feet, with dark green oval 2 - 6" leaves. Clustered small greenish-white flowers in late spring or early summer, much loved by bees. Abundant 1/3" purple black berries which attract birds. B.C. to Baja California. Zone 3. The bark is a valuable medicine. Sow in fall or use GA-3 to germinate in 4 - 8 weeks.
RHODIOLA (ro-dee-O-la)
CRASSULACEAE. Succulent perennials much like Sedum. Easily grown in well-drained soils. Hardy.
—Rhodiola rosea. (b,v) RHDI-21. Packet: $3.00
1/4 gram: $25.00, Gram: $54.00, 5 grams: $200.00, 10 grams: $350.00
'ROSE-ROOT'. Dense clusters of yellow flowers in May and June. Very hardy perennial to 10", with crowded succulent grey-green leaves, often tinged red at the base. Northern regions. Zone 1. The leaves have been eaten in salads, steamed, or pickled. The rose-scented root is a valuable medicine, being adaptogenic like ginseng, increasing strength, endurance, learning, memory, is cardioprotective, anti-carcinogenic, and is used for a wide variety of conditions. For a good overview, see Herbalgram No. 56, 2002. Prechill 4 weeks or give GA-3 at 200 to 500ppm to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
RHODOCHITON (rho-do-KY-ton)
SCROPHULARIACEAE. A single species. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks.
—Rhodochition atrosanguineum. (10,h) RHOC-4. Packet: $3.00
'PURPLE BELL VINE'. Graceful, vigorous and fast-growing vine to 10 feet, with spectacular pendant, fuchsia, five-pointed, bell-shaped calyces, each with deep purple tubular 2" flowers within. Heart-shaped leaves. México. Zone 9. Flowers the first year from seed. Sow early in spring to flower June to frost, or grow as a perennial in the greenhouse. Absolutely choice!
RHODODENDRON (ro-do-DEN-dron)
ERICACEAE. A large genus of shrubs and small trees. Includes Azalea. Highly ornamental, they are some of the most beautiful shrubs in cultivation. Best planted in sheltered places, protected from dry wind and hot sun. Does not like clay or limestone soil; best in well-drained, slightly acidic leaf mold with peat and sandy loam. Sow in early spring on the surface of sand and peat. Place pots in a plastic bag or cover with glass. Germinates in about 6 - 8 weeks at 55°F. Remove glass when cotyledons are well developed. Prick off into a good potting mix and harden off. The secret to growing good plants is to keep them growing rapidly the first year or two. They should be 1 - 3" tall in 6 months. Never let them dry out and protect from direct sun. Some of the Himalayan species are hardy to Boston.
—Rhododendron macrophyllum. (b,g) RHOD-240. Packet: $2.50
'CALIFORNIA ROSEBAY', 'COAST RHODODENDRON'. Rose-purple bell-shaped 2 1/2" flowers with dark spots, in May and June. Evergreen shrub to 4 - 12 feet, with aromatic 8" leaves. Coastal forests, B.C. to California. Zone 6. State flower of Washington. "It is a shrub so beautiful, we marvel it is not generally cultivated in gardens."—Parsons. Germinates in 2 - 16 weeks.
RIBES (RI-beez)
GROSSULARIACEAE. Temperate region shrubs grown for their edible fruits or beautiful bloom. Good wildlife food and habitat. Sow in fall or give 3 - 4 months cold treatment, with several cycles of warm and cold may help. Seed long lived, giving high germination for 13 - 17 years of room-temperature storage.
—Ribes divaricatum. (100) RIBE-12. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
'COAST BLACK CURRANT'. Small greenish-purple nodding flowers followed by black berries. Shrub to 10 feet, with rounded 2" leaves. Pacific Northwest. Zone 4.
—Ribes sanguineum. (b,h) RIBE-51. Packet: $2.50
'RED FLOWERED CURRANT'. Red flowers in clusters followed by bluish black edible fruits. To 12 feet. B.C. to California. Zone 6. Give 3 - 4 months cold to germinate in 60 days.
RICINUS (RISS-i-nus)
EUPHORBIACEAE. A single species.
Ricinus communis Varieties:
'CASTOR BEAN', 'PALMA CHRISTI'. Tropical tree to 30 - 40 feet, grown as an annual to 3 - 15 feet in cold winter areas for the bold foliage. Huge palm-like lobed leaves to 1 - 3 feet wide, and 1 - 2 foot long clusters of flowers followed by attractive spiny pods. Good for a quick screen or tropical effect in the border. Any soil but doesn't like wet feet. Thrives in full sun, heat and moisture. In Zones 8 - 10 it is perennial and becomes tree-like.
The poisonous seeds (warn children) are the source of the purgative 'Castor Oil', also used for illumination, soapmaking, lubrication, etc. Much used by the ancient Egyptians, and mentioned by Herodotus. Many medicinal uses. Silkworms can be fed on the leaves. Stems used in papermaking. Ecuadorian Indians string the seeds and burn them like candles. Scalded leaves once used externally as a galactagogue. Foliage sometimes causes rash.
Soak seed overnight and plant in pots to sprout in about 1 - 12 weeks at warm temperatures. Plant out in May. Seed half life about 13 years. A trick which often increases and speeds germination is to break off the "snout" (caruncle) of the seed before planting. Lightly sanding the tip where the "snout" was helps even more on dormant lots. Seed half life about 13 years.
KEEP SEEDS AWAY FROM CHILDREN.
—Ricinus communis Carmencita Red. (5,h) RIC-1C. Packet: $3.00
25 grams: $15.00, 100 grams: $40.00
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Brilliant red flower buds and seedpods, dark purple-brown leaves. Early blooming, to 5 feet. "An eye-catcher of exotic beauty."—E. Benary. The seedlings often start out green, and turn red later.
"I am still amazed by the Ricinus Carmencitas I grew from your seeds. What a spectacular plant! The leaves are a wonderful, luminous purple in full sun, and the impossibly bright, carmine red seed pods seem to glow from within. In addition, I had 100% germination and the plants thrived with only minimal care."—A. Denman, California, 7/97.
—Ricinus communis Carmencita Pink. (5,h) RIC-1CP. Packet: $3.00
25 grams: $15.00
Brilliant pink seed heads and dark green foliage on red stems. To 5 feet, early flowering. Nice!
—Ricinus communis New Zealand Purple. (e,h) RIC-1NZ. Packet: $3.00
25 grams: $12.00, 100 grams: $40.00
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'NEW ZEALAND PURPLE CASTOR BEAN'. A showy variety with large deep purple leaves and stems. To 8 feet. Choice! Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Ricinus communis sanguineus. (10,h) RIC-1S. Packet: $2.50
100 grams: $15.00
'RED BIG-LEAF CASTOR BEAN'. Large blood-red leaves and bronze stems to 10 feet. Large seed.
—Ricinus communis zanzibariensis. (10,h) RIC-1Z. Packet: $2.50
100 grams: $15.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'ZANZIBAR BIG-LEAF CASTOR BEAN'. The largest leaves of all, bright green with white veins, up to 3 feet across. No red. Huge plant to 15 feet or more.
RIVEA (RIV-ee-a)
CONVOLVULACEAE. Large woody twiners or climbing shrubs with heart-shaped leaves and attractive morning-glory-like flowers. Grown for ornament in the greenhouse or outdoors in warm regions.
—Rivea corymbosa (=Turbina corymbosa). RIVE-6. Packet: $3.00
'OLOLIUQUI', 'CAMPANITA', 'CHRISTMAS FLOWER'. Large clusters of white, inch-wide flowers. Large woody twiner reaching great heights with age, and the trunk as thick as a man's thigh. Heart-shaped 4" leaves. Tropical America. Zone 10. A good honey plant. Nick seed to germinate in a few weeks.
ROBINIA (ro-BIN-ee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. 'LOCUST'. Ornamental deciduous trees and shrubs of North America, grown for their showy white, pink or purple flowers and graceful pinnate foliage. They stand heat, drought and poor soil, and are excellent for erosion control and reclamation. Nitrogen fixing. Good street trees. Nick and soak, to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks or so.
—Robinia Pseudoacacia. (b,h) ROBI-16. Packet: $1.50
Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $9.00
'BLACK LOCUST', 'FALSE ACACIA'. Fragrant white pea-like flowers in dense clusters to 4 - 8" long in May and June. Open-crowned tree to 80 feet, with graceful pinnate leaves. E. and Central U.S. Zone 3. A valuable and useful tree, producing hard, durable wood, and an excellent fuelwood crop. Produces up to 100 cubic meters per hectare at 10 - 20 years old, and can be coppiced. Good erosion control and soil builder, fixing 600 lbs N/acre in 20 year old stands. Good wildlife browse and bee forage, producing an exceptionally fine honey. The leaves crushed in water have been used to kill flies. The seeds are said to have been boiled for food by the Indians, but are toxic raw. One of our finest native trees. Yet another native species being falsely labeled an alien invader and being killed in the eastern US.
RODGERSIA (RO-jer-see-a)
SAXIFRAGACEAE. Asian woodland perennials preferring light shade to full sun, shelter from wind, and moist, rich deep soil. Related to Astilbe. Easily germinates at about 50° to 70°F.
—Rodgersia aesculifolia. (b,v) RODG-4. Packet: $3.00
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Large horse-chestnut-like 7-parted leaves to 1 1/2 feet across, on fuzzy red stems to 2 - 3 feet tall. Hardy perennial to 3 - 6 feet, with off-pink flowers in large clusters. Central China. Zone 4. "The flower cluster almost reminds me of a starfish. They take a few years to really get established, but what I grow them for isn't so much the flowers, but for the architectural effect of the foliage."—Bertrand. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks.
NEW—Rodgersia henrici Hybrids. (200) RODG-11H. Packet: $2.50
Pink-red flowers in June and July, on long stalks that turn bright red as the seed ripens. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with dark green leaves with a hint of bronze. Zone 5. Germinates in 3 - 4 weeks.
NEW—Rodgersia 'New Hybrids'. (200) RODG-NH. Packet: $2.50
(R. aesculifolia X henrici X pinnata hybrids)
Flowers in shades of white, yellow, and pink, June to August. Hardy perennial to 32", with foliage dark green to bronze. Zone 5.
ROMNEYA: See Reserved Access page.
ROSA (RO-za)
ROSACEAE. Ornamental North Hemisphere shrubs and climbers, widely grown for their attractive flowers. Most are easily grown, the seed best sown in fall for spring germination, with stragglers over several seasons. Try roughing the seed on concrete and soaking a day or two until they sink, then plant in a gallon pot covered with loose, sandy soil. Screen pots to protect from mice and birds, and watch for powdery mildew. Prechill 2 - 3 months if planted out of season.
—Rosa canina. (b,g) ROSE-26. Packet: $1.50
Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $9.00
'BRIER ROSE', 'WILD ROSE'. White to pinkish single 2" wide flowers in June, followed by red or orange edible hips. Arching shrub to 3 - 10 feet. Eurasia. Hardy to Zone 3. Good understock for grafting. The flowers have a "delicate but refreshing fragrance."—Grieve. The hips were much eaten in Europe, cooked with meats, made into tarts and cookies, jams, jellies and preserves, and were fermented into wine in Russia. The leaves have been used as a fragrant tea. Hips were used medicinally. Best sown in early fall, or give 60 days warm, then cold.
—Rosa Eglanteria. (b,v) ROSE-50. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $12.00
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'EGLANTINE', 'SWEET BRIAR'. Single bright pink fragrant 2" flowers in June and July. The dark green foliage is deliciously aromatic, with a scent of spicy apples. Hardy shrub to 5 - 8 feet. Europe, W. Asia. Zone 4. "A handsome hardy rose of compact habit..."—Bailey. "Famed for its fragrance of both flower and foliage."—Hilliers. The hips are eaten and made into jelly. The petals are mixed with honey in the Middle Eastern confection called 'gulangabin'.
—Rosa rugosa Pink. (b,v) ROSE-131P. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $7.50, 1/4 lb: $22.50
'HEDGEROW ROSE'. Nice large pink single 4" flowers. Shrub to 6 feet, with shining leaves. China, Japan. Zone 2. The plum-sized hips are eaten in Japan. The petals are used as tea in China, thought to soothe the liver. Sow in fall or give 3 - 4 months cold.
ROSCOEA (ros-KO-ee-a)
ZINGIBERACEAE. Thick-rooted perennials from China and the Himalayas. Good in the greenhouse or outdoors in mild climates. Best in peaty loam in part shade, and rest during dormancy.
—Roscoea auriculata. (d,h) ROSC-6. Packet: $3.00
Brilliant purple 1 1/2" flowers in July to September. Perennial to 16", with broad, lance-shaped leaves. Nepal and Sikkim. Zone 6. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks.
RUBUS
—Rubus parviflorus. (100) RUBU-60. Packet: $2.50
'THIMBLE-BERRY'. Large white 1 - 2" wide five petaled fragrant flowers in spring, followed by red 3/4" berries. Spineless shrub with large light green downy 5 - 10" leaves. Western North America. Zone 4. The berries and young shoots are eaten.
—Rubus spectabilis. (100) RUBU-76. Packet: $2.50
'SALMON BERRY'. Large inch-wide rose red or purplish flowers in spring, followed by salmon-red berries. Shrub to 12 feet or so, with few prickles. Alaska to California. Zone 6. The berries vary from delicious to insipid, depending on the site.
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern."—Lord Acton, 1881.
RUELLIA (roo-EL-li-a)
ACANTHACEAE. Mostly tropical herbs and shrubs with funnel-shaped flowers in various shades. Grown in the greenhouse or outdoors in the South. Best in partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil, rich in compost. Seeds germinate readily in about 3 weeks.
—Ruellia humilis. RUEL-11. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $7.50
'WILD PETUNIA'. Violet-blue 2" long petunia-like flowers in mid-summer. Hardy perennial to 1 - 2 feet, with 3" leaves. E. U.S. Zone 4. Good in dry rocky areas. Give 14 weeks cold or GA-3 to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
RUTA (ROO-ta)
RUTACEAE. Aromatic herbs and shrublets grown for scent, flavoring and medicine. Easy in well-drained moist soil. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, and the seed will give good germination for 2 to 5 years.
—Ruta graveolens. (b,h) RUTA-4. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $7.50
'RUE', 'HERB-OF-GRACE'. Yellow four-petaled flowers in summer. Hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with finely divided blue-green foliage. South Europe. Zone 5. The powerful, pungent aroma is said to repel pests. Used sparingly in cooking, and is highly valued medicinally. May cause rash in sensitive people.