CONVOLVULACEAE. Showy, easily grown, mostly annual tropical twiners. Treat like morning glory. Now generally classed in Mina & Ipomoea.
—Quamoclit pennata Mixed. (b,b) QUAM-4X. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 90% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $6.00
'CYPRESS VINE', 'STAR GLORY', 'CARDINAL CLIMBER'. Showy star-like, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of scarlet, rose & white, each about 1 1/2" long, July to October. Tender, graceful annual twiner to 20 feet, with finely divided feathery foliage. Tropical America. Start early indoors in the North. "Beautiful in flower and foliage." —House. Attracts hummingbirds. Soak seed, nick hard ones, to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
NEW—Quamoclit pennata White. (b,h) QUAM-4W. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 11/07, 1/2 Oz: $6.00
'WHITE CYPRESS VINE'. The rare white-flowered form. White, starry, trumpet-shaped 1 1/2" flowers. Germinates in 1 - 5 weeks warm.
—Quamoclit X Sloteri. (e,h) QUAM-12. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 84% Tested: 9/07, 40/g, 10 grams: $5.00, 25 grams: $9.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'CARDINAL CLIMBER'. Intense cardinal-red 2" long flowers with white throats. Hardy annual with divided leaves. Hybrid between Quamoclit coccinea & Q. pennata. Striking. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
RAFINESQUIA (ra-fin-ES-kee-a)
COMPOSITAE. Two easily .grown annuals from California & the Southwest. Good in dry areas.
NEW—Rafinesquia californica. (b,h) RAFI-4. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 10/07, Gram: $6.00
Tall sprays of creamy white inch-wide flowers with golden yellow centers, and reddish stripes on the petal-backs. Tall annual to 1 - 6 feet, with divided foliage. California woods and hills. A lovely plant, unknown in cultivation. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
RATIBITA (ra-TI-bi-ta)
COMPOSITAE. 'PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER' Hardy perennial North American wildflowers grown for their large, striking, showy yellow to purple flowers. Sow in March & 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: $1.25
Germination: 82% Tested: 10/07, Oz: $5.00
'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. Germinates in about a week, The leaves & flower-heads were used as a tea by Dakota Indians.
—Ratibida columnifera Yellow. (a!,h) RATI-6Y. Packet: $1.25
Germination: 99% Tested: 9/07, Oz: $5.00
Bright yellow flowers with drooping petals and a column-like center. Hardy perennial to 3 feet. Great Plains. Good prairie wildflower. The leaves and flowers are used as tea. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
RESEDA (re-ZEE-da)
RESEDACEAE. Mediterranean herbs grown for ornament, scent, and dye. Sow where they are to grow.
—Reseda odorata. (a,h) RESE-18. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 54% Tested: 12/07, 10 grams: $7.00
'COMMON MIGNONETTE'. Very sweet scented yellow-white flowers in dense spikes to about 16". Hardy annual with 3" leaves. N. Africa. Germinates in 1 - 6 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
'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. 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. Germinates in 1 - 16 weeks, and likes a cool root.
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 & 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. 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!
RHUS (RUS)
ANACARDIACEAE. 'SUMAC'. Widely distributed & easily grown shrubs, trees and woody vines with small flowers and attractive, often pinnate foliage, often brilliant in fall, and many with colorful fruit. Thrives in any garden soil. Good wildlife habitat and erosion control. Seed of most have hard seed- coats and nicking or hot water treatment helps, followed by cold treatment for some. Seed long lived.
NEW—Rhus ovata. (c,g) RHUS-20. Packet: $2.00
'SUGAR BUSH'. Short, dense spikes of light yellow flowers followed by dark red fuzzy fruits. Evergreen shrub to 3 - 20 feet, with handsome 3" leaves. S. California and Arizona. Nick seed or give hot water treatment to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks. Seed long-lived. Called the 'lemonade and sugar tree' because the acid berries are coated with a sweet substance used as sugar by the Indians. "...the most desirable of the Californian species." —McMinn.
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 & cold may help. Seed long lived, giving high germination for 13 - 17 years of room-temperature storage.
—Ribes sanguineum. (b,h) RIBE-51. Packet: $2.00
'RED FLOWERED CURRANT'. Red flowers in clusters followed by bluish black edible fruits. To 12 feet. B.C. to Calif. Give 3 - 4 months cold to germinate in 60 days.
RICINOCARPUS (ri-sin-o-KAR-pus)
EUPHORBIACEAE. Showy Australian shrubs grown for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage.
NEW—Ricinocarpus pinifolius. (10,v) RICI-19. Packet: $2.00
'WEDDING BUSH'. Fragrant white inch-wide five-petaled flowers on long stalks. Compact shrub to 3 feet, with soft, green, needle-like leaves. E. Australia. Zone 9. The flowers are honey-scented. Best in well-drained soil. Smoke may help germination.
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 & 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. (5,h) RIC-1C. Packet: $3.00 Click for photo »
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
Germination: 72% Tested: 12/07, 25 grams: $10.00
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: $2.00
'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: $2.00
Germination: 75% Tested: 9/07, 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: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 12/07, 100 grams: $12.00
'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.
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
Germination: 99% Tested: 11/07, 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 & June. Open-crowned tree to 80 feet, with graceful pinnate leaves. E. & Central U.S. 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 & 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, & moist, rich deep soil. Related to Astilbe. Easily germinates at about 50° to 70°F.
—Rodgersia aesculifolia. (b,v) RODG-4. Packet: $3.00 Click for photo »
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. "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 at warm temperatures.
—Rodgersia tabularis. (b,g) RODG-23. Packet: $2.50
Tiny white flowers in Astilbe-like sprays to 6 feet tall. Bold hardy perennial with huge, pale green 2 foot wide Begonia-like leaves, to 3 feet tall. North China, Korea. Best with noon shade, or by a pond or bog. Germinates in 2 - 8 weeks warm to cool temperatures.
ROMNEYA: See Reserved Access page.
ROSA (ROW-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 4. 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 & cookies, jams, jellies & 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 chinensis Angel Rose. (d,h) ROSE-35. Packet: $3.00
Gram: 7.50
Also called 'Fairy Rose', a true miniature to only 10 - 18" tall, with delicate, miniature 1 1/2" flowers in a good range of rose, pink, and white, with a high percentage of doubles. Germinates in 3 - 10 weeks warm, and blooms in 3 - 6 months. Choice!
—Rosa Eglanteria. (b,v) ROSE-50. Packet: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK Click for photo »
Oz: $6.00 OUT OF STOCK
'EGLANTINE', 'SWEET BRIAR'. Single bright pink fragrant 2" flowers in June & July. The dark green foliage is deliciously aromatic, with a scent of spicy apples. Hardy shrub to 5 - 8 feet. Europe, W. Asia. "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: $2.00 OUT OF STOCK
Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00 OUT OF STOCK
'HEDGEROW ROSE'. Nice large pink single 4" flowers. Shrub to 6 feet, with shining leaves. China, Japan. 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 & 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 2 - 3 weeks.
—Roscoea cautleoides. (e,v) ROSC-S. Packet: $3.00
Light yellow orchid-like 3" flowers in June, held well above the narrow 6" leaves. Perennial to 20". China. Hardy to Zone 6. Germinates in 3 - 5 weeks.
RUBIA (ROO-bee-a)
RUBIACEAE. Widespread herbs with small flowers and whorled leaves. Interesting plants.
—Rubia tinctorum. (e,g) RUBI-23. Packet: $3.00
'MADDER'. Yellow starry flowers followed by red berries that turn black. Hardy perennial to 4 feet, with narrow 4" whorled leaves. S. Europe. Zone 6. The roots are the source of a brick-red dye. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks warm.
RUDBECKIA (rud-BECK-ee-a)
COMPOSITAE. Showy annuals & perennials thriving in sun or part shade, giving an abundance of bloom in summer & autumn. Easy in almost any soil. Some are good for cutting. Most germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm. (c,h) RUD-4NY. Packet: $2.00
'GOLDEN CONEFLOWER'. Bright golden yellow 3 - 5" wide flowers with dark centers, August & September. Bushy 2 1/2 foot tall plants. Hardy rhizomatous perennial, excellent in dry soil. E. U.S. The long stemmed flowers are excellent for cutting. The root was a Cherokee medicine. Give 2 - 4 weeks cold to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
NEW—Rudbeckia hirta Marmelade. (a,h) RUD-6M. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 78% Tested: 10/07, 10 grams: $9.00
Golden orange 4" flowers with deep black eye. Hardy annual to 2 feet or so. A nice variety of the classic 'black-eyed-susan'. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
NEW—Rudbeckia hirta Rustic Dwarf Mix. (a,h) RUD-6R. Packet: $2.00
Large flowers up to 6" across, in rich shades of yellow, bronze, gold and chestnut, with dark centers. Showy hardy annual to 2 feet. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Rudbeckia occidentalis. (c,h) RUD-18. Packet: $2.50
'WESTERN CONEFLOWER'. Unusual flowerheads consisting of purple-brown disk flowers in large conical to cylindric, almost black heads, 1 - 2" long, entirely lacking ray flowers. Hardy perennial to 6 feet. NW U.S. The unusual flowers are valuable in arrangements. Identical to 'Green Wizard'. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks warm. GA-3 increases percent.
—Rudbeckia triloba. (b,g) RUD-22. Packet: $2.00
'BROWN-EYED SUSAN'. Numerous long-stemmed yellow 2" daisies with brown centers, from June to October. Hardy biennial or perennial to 2 - 5 feet, with often three-lobed leaves. E US. Often blooms the first year. Showy. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
"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 ciliata var. depressa. (e,g) RUEL-6D. Packet: $2.50
Lavender inch-wide petunia-like flowers on a mat-forming perennial to 1 1/2", with attractive 3" leaves that are sometimes almost purple variegated. From high-altitude Andes. Should be hardy to about Zone 6. Give seed 8 - 12 weeks cold.
NEW—Ruellia humilis. (c,h) RUEL-11. Packet: $2.00
'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 & shrublets grown for scent, flavoring & medicine. Easy in well-drained moist soil. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, and the seed is viable about 2 years.
—Ruta graveolens. (b,h) RUTA-4. Packet: $2.00
'RUE', 'HERB-OF-GRACE'. Yellow four-petaled flowers in summer. Hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with finely divided blue-green foliage. South Europe. The powerful, pungent aroma is said to repel pests. Used sparingly in cooking, and is highly valued medicinally. May cause rash in sensitive people.
—Ruta odorata. (b,h) RUTA-18. Packet: $2.00
Rare aromatic central Asian species to 2 feet. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.