DALEA
—Dalea mollis. (e,f) DALE-52. Packet: $2.00
'SILKY DALEA'. Dense silky heads of tiny rose flowers and downy calyces. Low spreading desert annual to 4 - 16" across, with downy pinnate foliage. SW deserts.
DASYLIRION
—Dasylirion acrotriche. (d,h) DASY-4. Packet: $2.00
'GREEN MEXICAN SOTOL'. Narrow, Yucca-like 3 foot leaves with hooks along the edges, in large round heads. Striking flower-spikes to 15 feet tall. Forms a trunk to 3 feet tall. México. Zone 9. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks or so.
—Dasylirion longissima. (d,h) DASY-15. Packet: $2.00
'SPINELESS SOTOL', MEXICAN GRASS TREE'. Narrow, grass-like, 6 foot leaves only 1/8 - 1/3" wide, in large round heads. Large spikes of tiny white flowers, up to 20 feet tall, in summer. Forms a trunk to 10 feet tall. México. Zone 8. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Dasylirion texanum. (e,g) DASY-23. Packet: $2.00
'TEXAS SOTOL'. Large round heads of narrow glossy green 3 foot leaves from a short, often underground trunk. Tall flower spike reaches 15 feet. Texas & N. México. The central bud was roasted and eaten by the Indians, and was made into a drink called 'sotol'. A neat plant.
DATURA
—Datura inoxia. (e,l) DATU-9. Packet: $2.00
—Datura inoxia GA-3. (d,h) DATU-9G. Packet: $4.00
Pre-primed with GA-3, germinates readily in 1 - 4 weeks warm.
Large showy white 6 - 8" trumpets with green veins, followed by spiny pods. Spreading perennial to 3 feet, with downy, grey-green leaves. Southwest. Part of the whole inoxia/meteloides/wrightii complex.
—Datura Wrightii. (c,l) DATU-42. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $9.00, 1/4 lb: $24.00
—Datura Wrightii GA-3. (c,h) DATU-42G. Packet: $4.00
Oz: $18.00, 1/4 lb: $48.00
Pre-primed with GA-3, germinates readily.
'TOLOACHE', 'ANGEL'S TRUMPET'. Large white fragrant 8" flowers open at dusk. Sprawling perennial to 3 feet or so. SW U.S. & Mexico. Like meteloides, but without the lilac blush.
DENMOZA (den-MO-za)
CACTACEAE. Two Argentinian cacti.
—Denmoza rhodacantha. (d,h) DENM-12. Packet: $2.00
Red 1 1/4" spines and odd 3" long cylindrical flowers with short red petals. Globular ribbed cactus that may become a column to 5 feet with great age. "An interesting species of easy cultivation." —Borg. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
DIANTHUS
—Dianthus amurensis. (c,h) DIAN-9. Packet: $2.50
'AMUR PINK'. Unusual lavender-blue fringed flowers borne over a long season. Hardy perennial to 10". Narrow leaves. Amur region of Siberia. Give good drainage. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
DIGITALIS
—Digitalis purpurea Snow Thimble. (a!,g) DIG-1ST. Packet: $2.00
A stunning foxglove with spikes of large pure white, unspotted flowers, May to July. To 3 feet. Good for cutting.
—Digitalis viridiflora. (b,h) DIG-28. Packet: $2.00
Greenish yellow inch-long flowers in dense spikes. June to August. Hardy perennial to 2 - 4 feet. Balkans. Moist soil. Sow in fall. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
DIOSPYROS (dee-os-PEE-ros)
EBENACEAE. A large and wide-ranging genus of trees and shrubs, grown for ornament, fruit, timber.
—Diospyros Lotus. (d,h) DIOS-48. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 92% Tested: 3/08, Oz: $8.00
'DATE PLUM'. Small round cherry-sized yellow fruits turn blue-black when ripe. Eaten fresh, dried, or bletted like medlars. When dried they taste a bit like dates. Handsome deciduous tree to 25 - 40 feet, with 5" leaves. Asia, Zone 5. Germinates in a month with no prechill needed.
DIPSACUS (DIP-sa-kus)
DIPSACEAE. Tall, mostly hardy biennials &: perennials of Eurasia &: N. Africa. Valued for the interesting spiny heads used in dried arrangements. Good in the wild garden or border, sun or part shade Sow in May &: June, 14" deep, to germinate in about 1 - 4 weeks. Seed long-lived.
—Dipsacus fullonum (=sylvestris). (b,h) DIPS-9. Packet: $2.00
'COMMON TEASEL'. Pale purple-lilac flowers in dense heads followed by attractive 4" prickly heads. Hardy biennial to 6 - 7 feet, with narrow pointed leaves. Eurasia. The heads are valued in dried arrangements. The water which collects in the cup-like leaf-bases, (called Venus' Basin) was once valued as a cosmetic. Not the Fuller's Teasel.
DODECATHEON (do-DEK-a- THEE-on) PRIMULACEAE. 'SHOOTING STARS'. Beautiful N. American & Siberian perennials with attractive flowers. Grown in well drained soil in the wild or rock garden. Name means 'twelve gods'. It is said that the 30 species may all be a single, variable species. Most germinate readily after 6 - 8 weeks cold treatment, some without cold. Seed half-life 6 years.
—Dodecatheon Meadia Deluxe Mix. (b,g) DODE-17D. Packet: $2.00
'SHOOTING STARS'. Beautiful small nodding flowers in clusters, in shades of white, pink, red, and lilac, May to June, on stems to 16". Hardy perennial woodland plant. N. America. Prechill seed.
DRACAENA (dra-SEE-na)
AGAVACEAE. Tropical, mostly African Yucca-like trees and shrubs. Good in California.
—Dracena Draco. (e,g) DRAC-16. Packet: $2.00
'DRAGON -TREE', 'DRAGON'S-BLOOD TREE'. Narrow sword-like 2 foot grey-green leaves in large round heads. Slow-growing tree to 70 feet, with a broad crown and clusters of flowers followed by red berries. Thick trunk. Canary Islands. Reaches great age. Endangered in habitat, but cultivated and naturalized elsewhere-preservation through dissemination.
DUDLEYA (DUD-lee-a)
CRASSULACEAE. Rosette-forming succulents from SW North America. Good in mild dry climates.
—Dudleya pulverulenta sssp. pulverulenta. (a,g) DUDL-34P. Packet: $2.00
'CHALK LETTUCE'. Powdery white succulent leaves in large rosettes to 2 feet across. Nodding red 3/4" flowers in large clusters on stems to 5 feet tall. S. California to Baja. Stands some frost and needs no summer water. Easy from seed, germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
ECCREMOCARPUS (ek-re-mo-KAR-pus)
BIGNONIACEAE. Peruvian & Chilean tendril climbers valued for their showy bloom, and odd seed pods. Best on a warm, south-facing wall. Sow early indoors, germinates in about 2 weeks. May be sown in fall and held over in the greenhouse till spring. Perennial in warm climates, grown as an annual in the North.
—Eccremocarpus scaber Orange. (c,g) ECCR-12. Packet: $2.00
'CHILEAN GLORY FLOWER'. Showy tubular orange inch-long flowers in 6" racemes. Tender climber to 12 feet, with bipinnate leaves. Chile.
Long-lasting cut flowers. Hardy in the South. Sow on the surface, needs light, germinates in 2 weeks.
ECHINOCACTUS (ee-kye-no-KAK-tus)
CACTACEAE. Ribbed barrel cacti from SW U.S. and México. Easily grown if kept on the dry side in winter. Water freely in summer once established. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks, best with GA-3. Makes nice specimens in a few years. Popular favorites.
—Echinocactus ingens. (d,g) ECHT-12. Packet: $2.00
'MEXICAN GIANT BARREL', 'BLUE BARREL'. Huge round barrels to 4 feet thick, with thin, narrow bluish-green ribs and stout spines. Canary yellow inch-long flowers. México. Pulp is eaten. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
ECHINOCEREUS (ee-KI-no-SEER-e-us)
CACTACEAE. 'HEDGEHOG CACTUS'. Showy· flowered cacti with low growing clusters of stems, Easily grown in full sun and many are cold-resistant.
Good pot plants. Keep dry in winter.
—Echinocactus enneacanthus. (d,g) ECHC-28. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
'STRAWBERRY CACTUS'. Clusters of foot-tall ribbed columns armed with slender 2" spines. Bright showy purple-red 2 - 3" wide flowers followed by round inch-long edible fruits. Southwest. The fruits are eaten fresh or preserved, and taste like strawberries. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
ENCELIA (en-SEE-lee-a)
COMPOSITAE. Shrubs and perennials with showy yellow daisy-like flowers. Native to the Western Americas from California to Chile. They have great potential as drought-resistant landscaping material for desert regions, but are little known in cultivation. Named after C. Encel, who wrote on oak galls in 1577. Seed germinates readily in about 4 - 7 days, giving 20 - 30% as a rule. Sow in fall in the desert.
—Encelia farinosa. (b,l) ENCE-9. Packet: $2.00
'INCIENSO', 'WHITE BRITTLEBUSH', 'PA'AKAL' (Cahuilla name). Beautiful yellow inch-wide daisies on a rounded bush to 1 - 3 feet. Dense, white, flannel-like foliage makes the plant look like a round, water-worn boulder at a distance. Blooms April to June. California & Mexico. Exudes a fragrant resin which is burned as incense in Baja churches & was used for chewing by Arizona Indians. The Cahuilla boiled the plant and held the tea in the mouth (not swallowed) as a toothache remedy.
ERIOGONUM (ER-ee-o-GO-num)
POLYGONACEAE. 'WILD BUCKWHEAT'. A large, diverse genus of western natives with ornamental, usually clustered blooms. Drought and heat resistant, good erosion control on gravelly soil and dry banks. The flowers are valued in dry arrangements. Good browse, and highly rated as bee plants. Most germinate 20 - 50% in 1 - 2 weeks, no pretreatment.
—Eriogonum giganteum. (c,g) ERIOG-24. Packet: $2.00
'ST. CATHARINE'S LACE'. White-woolly flowers in dense heads to a foot across, April to Sept. Rounded shrub to 3 - 8 feet, with white-woolly 2 1/2" leaves. Endemic to the Channel Islands, California. Germinates in 1 - 7 weeks.
ERYTHRINA
—falcata. (10,h) ERYT-8. Packet: $3.00
Deep red sickle-shaped flowers in drooping spikes at the branch-tips in late winter and early spring. Tree to 30 - 40 feet, with attractive foliage. South America. Zone 9. Nick seed.
—Erythrina vespertilio. (5,h) ERYT-34. Packet: $3.00
'BAT-WING CORAL TREE'. The leaflets have two long outer lobes, resembling a flying bat. Small tree with red flowers. Very nice,
ESCHSCHOLZIA
—Eschscholzia californica Ballerina. (a!,g) ESCH-IB. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $9.00
Double and semi-double flowers with fluted petals. A good range of color and bicolors. To 12".
—Eschscholzia californica Mikado. (a!,h) ESCH-1K. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 84% Tested: 2/08, Oz: $6.00
Mahogany-red single flowers. Showy annual.
ESPOSTOA (es-PO-sto-a)
CACTACEAE. Woolly columnar Andean cacti. Easy in well-drained soil. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks, best with GA-3.
—Espostoa lanata. (d,g) ESPO-15. Packet: $2.00
'PERUVIAN OLD MAN', 'COTTONBALL'. Woolly columnar cactus to 10 - 18 feet, with 20 - 30 ribs & 3" spines. Densely woolly, and forms an even woollier strip (lateral cephalium) near the top from which the white to purple 2 1/2" flowers and smooth red fruits emerge. Peru & Ecuador. The fruits are sweet & edible, called 'piscol colorado' or 'soroco'.
EUCALYPTUS
—Eucalyptus Woodwardii. (c,h) EUCA-324. Packet: $2.00
'LEMON-FLOWERED GUM'. Bright lemon-yellow puff-like flowers make a showy display in fall to summer. Tree to 40 feet, with grey 5" leaves and smooth light grey bark. W. Australia. Stands down to 17°F and as little as 7" of rain. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
EUPHORBIA
—Euphorbia Cyparissias. (c,g) EUPH-32. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $8.00
'CYPRESS SPURGE'. Nice yellow-green flower clusters turn purplish to reddish. Hardy creeping perennial to 1 foot, with narrow, inch-long blue-green leaves, giving it a feathery effect. Europe. Zone 4. Good ground cover. GA-3 to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
FATSIA (FAT-see-a)
ARALIACEAE. One to three species.
—Fatsia japonica. (c,g) FATS-1. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 74% Tested: 3/08, 1000 seed: $8.00
'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: $2.00
'TIGER JAWS'. Thick grey-green 2" leaves edged with teeth, the pairs resembling open jaws. Golden-yellow 2" flowers. Cape Province. Easy from seed.
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 GA-3; try 500ppm.
—Ferocactus acanthodes v. Lecontei. (e,l) FERO-4L. Packet: $2.00
Huge barrels reaching 6 feet tall, with 20 - 30 undulating ribs armed with reddish, flattened, 3" hooked spines. Yellow 1 1/2" flowers. Utah to California.
—Ferocactus hamatacanthus. (d,v) FERO-11. Packet: $2.00
'TURK'S HEAD'. Large ribbed barrels to 2 feet tall and 1 foot thick, with reddish, somewhat hooked 3 - 5" spines. Pale yellow 3" flowers, often with reddish throats, followed by unusual brown 1 - 2" fruits used as substitutes for lemons. Texas, North México. Hardy to Zone 7. Unopened flower-buds eaten like artichokes. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Ferocactus latispinus. (d,h) FERO-15. Packet: $2.00
'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: $2.00
'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
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.
GALANTHUS (gal-AN-thus)
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Very early flowering bulbs with nodding white flowers. Hardy and easily grown, but the seed takes a long time to germinate, often needing multiple warm/cold cycles. Sow in pots and forget 'em, until germination occurs.
—Galanthus Elwesii. (10,v) GALA-8. Packet: $2.00
'GIANT SNOWDROP'. Large, white, nodding, honey-scented flowers up to 2" across, on 12" stems in January & February in mild areas. Hardy bulb with broad, grey-green leaves. Balkans to Turkey.
GARDENIA (gar-DEEN-ya)
RUBIACEAE. Shrubs and trees grown in warm regions for their fragrant flowers. Sun or part shade.
—Gardenia Thunbergia. (d,g) GARD-23. Packet: $2.00
'STARRY GARDENIA'. Large fragrant 3" wide funnel-shaped flowers with pointed petals. Shrub to 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with 6" glossy dark green leaves. S. Africa. Zone 9. Will scent a whole greenhouse when in bloom. Germinates in 4 - 6 weeks.
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.
—Gentiana flavida. (b,h) GENT-36. Packet: $2.00
'CREAM GENTIAN'. Large clusters of white tubular 2" flowers in August to October. Hardy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, with 2 - 5" leaves. NE N. America. Nice! Germinates best with a prechill or GA-3.
—Gentiana Parryi. (b,g) GENT-78. Packet: $2.00
'FRINGED GENTIAN'. Light blue to purple-blue 1 1/2" long funnel-shaped flowers with white throats, in clusters on 4 - 12" stems in late summer. Hardy perennial with somewhat succulent leaves. Alpine meadows, Rocky Mountains. Zone 4. Use GA-3.
GERANIUM
—Geranium bicknellii. (e,h) GERN-7. Packet: $3.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 12/07, 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 - 8 weeks.
—Geranium maderense. (d,h) GERN-160. Packet: $3.00
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,g) 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.
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 v. aurantiacum. (c,g) GLAU-2A. Packet: $2.00
'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
—Gleditsia sinensis. (e,h) GLED-8. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 80% Tested: 12/07, 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.
GUTIERREZIA (gu-tee-ER-rez-EE-a)
COMPOSITAE. American yellow-flowered herbs and shrubs for dry and desert areas. Tough and hardy.
—Gutierrezia Sarothrae. (a, h) GUTI-22. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 2/08, 5 grams: $7.00
'SNAKEWEED'. Abundant small yellow flowers cover the plant in May to October. Small shrub to 1 - 2 feet, with narrow 1 - 3" leaves. Western deserts. Used medicinally by the Indians for many ailments including snakebite, by the Navajo for dye, by the Hopi for prayer-sticks, and in baths. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
GYMNOCLADUS (JIM-no-KLAD-us)
—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.
HABRANTHUS (ha-BRAN-thus)
—Habranthus robustus. (d,h) HABR-10. Packet: $2.00
Large, rosy-pink 3" long and wide flowers with green throats, borne on 9" stalks in spring, before the leaves. Narrow blue-green leaves. Argentina. Evergreen in California. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
HEDYCHIUM (he-DEE-kee-um)
ZINGIBERACEAE. Large tropical perennials with showy fragrant flowers and Canna-like foliage. Best in rich soil and plenty of water. Greenhouse plants.
—Hedychium flavescens. (e,l) HEDY-10. Packet: $2.00
'YELLOW GINGER'. Pale yellow 5" long flowers in dense 8" spikes. Ginger-like plant to 6 feet, with narrow 2 foot leaves. India. Zone 10. Germinates in a month or more, keep warm, not too wet.
HEIMIA (HY-mee-a)
LYTHRACEAE. Several attractive shrubs of the Americas, grown for their handsome foliage and delicate yellow flowers. Nice little shrubs for warm regions or the greenhouse. Sow the minute seed on the surface, germinates readily and transplants easily. Drought tolerant once established.
—Heimia myrtifolia. (a,h) HEIM-4. Packet: $2.00
'SMALL SINICUICHE'. Bright yellow 1/2" five-petaled flowers on a lovely little shrub to 3 - 10 feet, with narrow 1 - 2" leaves. Brazil. Surprisingly hardy, to Zone 6 or more. Germinates in a week.
HELIANTHELLA (he-lee-an-THEL-la)
COMPOSlTAE. Yellow-flowered perennials native to the Western states. Most are hardy and easily grown in a variety of soils, and are valued for their showy fall display.
—Helianthella quinquenervis. (d,g) HELT-20. Packet: $2.00
'ASPEN SUNFLOWER'. Large nodding yellow sunflower-like 3 - 5" wide blooms on long stems. Hardy perennial to 2 - 5 feet, with narrow leaves up to 20" long. Rocky Mountain meadows. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks, and GA-3 helps some.
HELLEBORUS
—Helleborus foetidus. (e,v) HELB-6. Packet: $2.00
'BEAR'S FOOT'. Nodding bell-shaped pale green 1/2 - 1 1/4" wide flowers, often edged or tipped reddish or purple. Hardy evergreen perennial to 1 1/2 feet, with leathery, dark green, divided leaves. S. & W. Europe. Blooms February to April. Choice. Give seed 6 - 12 weeks warm, then cold treatment. Best sown in fall. Hold pots 2 years.
HESPERIS
—Hesperis matronalis White. (b,h) HESP-6W. Packet: $2.00
'WHITE SWEET ROCKET'. Sweet-scented 3/4" white to pale pink flowers in large clusters from June to August. Hardy biennial to 3 feet. Eurasia. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
HIBISCUS
—Hibiscus Moscheutus White. (b,h) HIBS-30W. Packet: $2.00
Large white flowers tinged pink, with magenta centers. Shrubby perennial to 5 feet tall and wide, with large maple-like leaves. E. U.S. Drought tolerant. Nick or hot water to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Hibiscus mutabilis Double Pink. (c,g) HIBS-32P. Packet: $2.00
'CONFEDERATE ROSE'. Large fully double pink 4 - 5" flowers turn darker the second day. Hardy perennial to 10 - 15 feet, with maple-like 6" leaves. S. China. Zone 7 or 8. Nick or hot water treatment to germinate irregularly over 2 - 20 weeks.
HIERACIUM
—Hieracium albiflorum. (b,h) HIER-4. Packet: $2.00
'WHITE HAWKWEED'. Tiny white flowers in open airy clusters on slender stems. Perennial to 1 - 3 feet, with fuzzy leaves. Woodlands, California to Alaska & Colorado. Leaves smoked by California mountainfolk, said to cause intense dreams. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
HOVEA (ho-VEE-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Australian evergreen shrubs with masses of intensely blue or purple flowers. Good in California or well-drained soil in the greenhouse.
—Hovea longifolia. (10,g) HOVE-I5. Packet: $4.00
'RUSTY-PODS'. Deep mauve-blue flowers in late winter and early spring. Shrub to 6 - 10 feet, with narrow glossy 2" leaves, rusty on the backs. Australia. Nick seed to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
HOVENIA (ho-VE-nee-a)
RHAMNACEAE. One species of deciduous tree.
—Hovenia dulcis. (c,h) HOVA-1. Packet: $2.00
1/2 Oz: $8.00
'JAPANESE RAISIN TREE. A peculiar tree, the 'raisins' being the enlarged, red, fleshy fruit-stalks. The small round fruits are decorative, but inedible, and the inch-long stalks are sweet and chewy, with the texture of raisins and a flavor that has been likened to a Bergamot pear. Easily grown tree to 30 feet, with handsome, glossy, heart-shaped 3 - 7" leaves, downy below, with good autumn color. Good small shade or lawn tree, hardy to Mass. & standing hot summers. Best in sandy loam. Nick seed to germinate in 4 - 8 weeks warm.
HYOSCYAMUS (hee-os-KEE-a-mus)
SOLANACEAE. Curious annual and perennial medicinal herbs of folklore. Easy in well-drained soil.
—Hyoscyamus niger. (b,h) HYOS-3. Packet: $2.00
Gram: $8.00
CANNOT BE SENT TO CALIFORNIA
'HENBANE', 'HENBELL'. Yellow, inch-wide, funnel-shaped flowers veined and netted with purple in the throat, in long spikes in June to Sept. These turn into long sprays of unusual, ornamental, urn-shaped capsules. Hardy biennial or annual to 2 - 4 feet, with pale green, lobed, 8" leaves, and silvery hairs. Mediterranean region. The stalks of curiously formed capsules are valued in the dried floral trade. Has an ancient history of medicinal use, and was an ingredient in the famed sorcerers ointment of European witches. Important commercial pharmaceutical crop. Use GA-3 to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
INCARVILLEA (in-kar-VIL-ee-a)
BIGNONIACEAE. Asian herbs grown for their clusters of showy, funnel-shaped flowers. Easy in full sun and well-drained soil. Fairly hardy with winter protection. Sow as late as August or September for bloom the next year. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Incarvillea Delavayi. (d,h) INCA-7. Packet: $2.00
Large, showy rosy-purple 2 - 3" trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow throats, in clusters. Half-hardy perennial (Zone 6) to 2 feet, with rosettes of ferny pinnate foliage. China. North of Zone 6 give winter protection or lift roots. Sometimes called 'Hardy Gloxinia' due to the beauty and form of the flowers.
IPOMOEA
—Ipomoea macrorrhiza. (e,h) IPOM-50. Packet: $3.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, 10 grams: $14.00
Creamy white 3 - 4" flowers with magenta throats. Perennial vine to 6 - 8 feet, with striking, wrinkled leaves. Forms a thick root reaching 4 - 30 pounds. S. Carolina to Mexico. Lift roots in the North. "A very ornamental warmhouse climber." —House.
—Ipomoea purpurea Dark Blue. (e,h) IPOM-64D. Packet: $2.00
Dark blue flowers on a hardy annual vine to 10 - 15 feet. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
IRIS
—Iris Douglasiana. (c,h) IRIS-64. Packet: $2.00
Lilac 3 - 4" wide conspicuously-veined flowers vary from white to reddish purple, on stems to 1 - 3 feet. Narrow 3/4" leaves. California meadows. Our beloved native iris, it has been banned in California as a weed, another example of anti-weed hysteria. Germinates in 5 weeks and straggle in for 2 years.
—Iris foetidissima. IRIS-77. (5,h) Packet: $2.00 Click for photo »
'GLADWYN', 'ROAST BEEF PLANT'. Purple-lilac to yellowish flowers in May to July, followed by pods which split to show attractive orange-red seeds, good in dried arrangements. Half-hardy perennial to 2 feet. Western Europe. Best in moist semi-shade, but stands dryness well. When bruised, the foliage has a scent at a distance of hot roast beef. Used medicinally.
—Iris Shrevei. (d,h) IRIS-190. Packet: $2.00
'BLUE FLAG'. Lavender-blue 3" flowers. Hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with ribbed leaves. Central U.S. form of I. virginiana.
ISOPLEXIS (eye-so-PLEX-is)
SCROPHULARIACEAE. Several showy sub-shrubs from the Canary Islands and Madeira. Good in California.
—Isoplexis sceptrum. (b,h) ISOPL-12. Packet: $2.00
Showy tawny orange tubular flowers in dense foot-long spikes. Tender evergreen perennial to 6 feet, with shiny dark green leaves. Madeira. Zone 9. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks warm.
KENNEDIA
—Kennedia beckxiana. (10,f) KENN-2. Packet: $2.00
'CAPE ARID CLIMBER'. Large orange-red flowers with yellow eyes. Vigorous climber to 10 feet, with grey-green 2" leaves. W. Australia. Nice greenhouse climber, or use as a groundcover in mild dry climates. Nick to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks or so.
—Kennedia microphylla. (b,g) KENN-17. Packet: $2.00
Brick-red flowers, winter to spring. Curious mat-forming plant to 3 feet wide, with attractive, small three-lobed leaves. W. Australia. Nice groundcover or rockery plant in California. Nick or hot water.
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. 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 if 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. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
KOLKWITZIA (KOLK-vitz-EE-a)
CAPRIFOLIACEAE. A single showy species.
—Kolkwitzia amabilis. (c,g) KOLK-4. Packet: $2.00
'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.