J.
L. HUDSON, SEEDSMAN,
BOX 337, LA HONDA,
CALIFORNIA 94020-0337 USA
2021 SEEDLIST - Ap - Az
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APOCYNUM (a-po-SY-num)
APOCYNACEAE. 'DOG BANE'. Interesting easily grown hardy perennials with
caustic milky juice. Small white or pink flowers. Roots medicinal. Prefers
sandy, dry soil.
—Apocynum androsaemifolium. (200) APOC-4. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
'SPREADING DOGBANE'. Pink flowers, long pods, 4" leaves. To 4 feet. N.
America. Zone 4. The root was formerly used medicinally as a poisonous cardiac
tonic, and was in the U.S.P. from 1830-1870. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Apocynum androsaemifolium White. (200)
APOC-4W. Packet: $2.50
'WHITE DOGBANE'. The rare white-flowered form. Hardy perennial to 4 feet. N.
America. Zone 4. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
AQUILEGIA (ak-wi-LE-jee-a)
RANUNCULACEAE. 'COLUMBINE'. One of the most valuable hardy perennials, grown
for its attractive foliage and pretty, spurred flowers, which are unequalled for
their grace and color. A light, sandy, moist soil in a sheltered position is
preferable. Many stand half shade well, and they are favorites in the rock
garden and perennial border. Excellent for cut flowers. Seed sown early may
bloom the first year, and will give good bloom the second season. Germination
may be slow and erratic; best at below 65°F and in bright, indirect light.
October to February sowings give good results, or give 3 weeks cold treatment to
germinate in 9 - 30 days, and rarely up to 6 months for some species. Space 12 -
18" apart. The seed is viable for 5 years or more, and aged seed often
germinates best. A prechill or GA-3 may help.
Long Spurred Columbines:
These are all excellent strains, noted for their large flowers with long,
graceful spurs, in beautiful colors. They make nice cut flowers. Of mixed
parentage, primarily canadensis, vulgaris, and chrysantha. Zone 3.
These germinate readily in 2 - 6 weeks warm, and GA-3 helps.
—Aquilegia 'Biedermeier Dwarf Mix'. (100) AQUI-1B. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $10.00
Dwarf bushy plants to 10 - 14" tall, with bright flowers in a good
range of colors in May and June.
—Aquilegia 'Crimson Star'. (100) AQUI-1C. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
Brilliant crimson flowers with white petals and long, graceful spurs. A fine
variety.
—Aquilegia 'Crystal Star'. (50) AQUI-1CY. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
Pure white, long-spurred flowers. A lovely variety. To 2 feet.
Aquilegia Species:
—Aquilegia alpina. (100) AQUI-2. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $10.00
'ALPINE COLUMBINE'. Large blue flowers 2" across, with short, hooked
spurs, in July and August. Hardy perennial to 12 - 15". Swiss Alps. Zone 3.
Seed germinates in about 2 - 6 weeks warm, prechill or GA-3 helps.
—Aquilegia atrata. (40) AQUI-3. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $14.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - packets are available
'DARK COLUMBINE'. Dark purple-black flowers with contrasting yellow stamens, on
a hardy perennial to 20". Alps. Choice. Aged seed germinates in 3 - 6
weeks, fresh seed needs 3 weeks cold, or GA-3. Zone 4.
—Aquilegia caerulea Wild. (100) AQUI-10W.
Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $10.00
'COLORADO COLUMBINE'. Blue flowers on a hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet. Seed
collected from the wild at 9500 feet, in Larimer County, Colorado. Zone 4.
Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks warm.
—Aquilegia canadensis. (500) AQUI-11. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $8.00
'COMMON AMERICAN COLUMBINE', 'JACK-IN-TROUSERS'. Nodding red and yellow 1
1/2" flowers from May to July. Hardy perennial to 1 - 2 feet. E. U.S. Zone
2. Children suck the flower nectar, and the roots are said to have been eaten by
Indians. Aged seed germinates in 2 - 4 weeks, fresh seed needs cold treatment or
GA-3.
—Aquilegia chrysantha Wildform. (50) AQUI-12W. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
'GOLDEN COLUMBINE'. Large golden yellow 2 - 3" flowers in May to
August, on a hardy perennial to 3 1/2 feet. Arizona and New Mexico to southern
Utah and Colorado. Zone 3. Germinates best with GA-3.
—Aquilegia flabellata 'Ministar'. (50) AQUI-15M. Packet: $3.00
Bright blue flowers with white centers on a dwarf compact hardy perennial to
only 6" tall. Japan. Zone 3. Excellent for rock gardens and charming in
pots. "Darn nice one."—Bertrand. Germinates in 3 - 5 weeks.
NEW—Aquilegia flavescens. (25) AQUI-17. Packet: $2.50
Nodding yellow flowers, often tinged pink, in May and June. Hardy perennial to 2
feet. Rocky Mountains. Zone 3. Short prechill helps germination.
—Aquilegia olympica. (25) AQUI-34. Packet: $2.50
Large blue and white 3 - 4" long spurred flowers on a robust hardy
perennial to 2 1/2 feet. W. Asia. "Looks like a caerulea on steroids.
Quite a bit nicer, actually. A second year plant has 40 - 50 blooms."
Zone 5. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks, sometimes needs a prechill.
—Aquilegia oxysepala. (500) AQUI-36. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
'ASIAN COLUMBINE'. Nodding plum-colored flowers with hooked spurs and petals
tipped with cream, in spring. Hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet. E. Siberia, Japan.
Zone 3. "Said to be one of the first to bloom, and one of the most
attractive."—Bailey.
—Aquilegia rockii. (25) AQUI-40. Packet:
$2.50
Reddish lilac slender flowers with white-edged center, May to July. Hardy
perennial to 16". Tibet. Zone 6. Prechill seed or give GA-3.
—Aquilegia vulgaris 'Black Barlow'. (25) AQUI-48BB. Packet: $2.50
A wonderful deep purple-black variety of Barlow columbine, fully double and
upward facing. Good cut flower. Choice! Zone 3. Germinates in 2 - 5 weeks.
—Aquilegia vulgaris 'Christa Barlow'. (25) AQUI-48CB. Packet: $2.50
Large dark blue double spurless flowers, each petal edged white. Hardy perennial
to 32" Elegant! Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks without prechill.
—Aquilegia vulgaris 'Green Apples'. (25) AQUI-48GA. Packet: $2.50
Fully double spurless creamy white flowers with apple-green tips. Hardy
perennial to 32". Sometimes called 'Lemon Sherbet'. Nice among the
dark-colored columbines. No prechill needed, germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
"Things are more like they are now than they have ever been before."—Dwight
D. Eisenhower.
ARALIA (a-RA-lee-a)
ARALIACEAE. Deciduous herbs, shrubs and trees, grown for ornament, or in the
wild garden for medicine and wildlife food. Their bold foliage is attractive.
Seeds often have double dormancy, and need scarification and cold treatment, or
warm then cold treatment. Best sown in early fall to produce seedlings over the
next two years.
—Aralia spinosa. (250) ARAL-32. Packet: $2.50
1/2 Ounce: $8.00
'DEVIL'S WALKING STICK', 'HERCULES CLUB'. Varies from a shrub to tree to 35
feet, with large compound 2 - 6 foot long 1eaves clustered at the top, giving a
tree-fern like appearance. Enormous panicles of whitish flowers up to 6 feet
long, followed by elderberry-like berries. E. U.S. Hardy to Pennsylvania (Zone
5). The bark was an important medicine among the Indians. The young leaves have
been used as a potherb. Germinates in 5 - 8 weeks warm without pretreatment.
ARBUTUS (AR-bu-tus)
ERICACEAE. Striking warm region evergreen trees with smooth red bark,
clustered urn-shaped flowers, and red or orange berries. Valuable for
landscaping, firewood, wildlife food, and edible berries. Interesting disjunct
distribution—western Europe and western North America.
—Arbutus Unedo. (100) ARBU-19. Packet: $2.50
Click for photos »
'STRAWBERRY TREE'. White or pinkish 1/4" flowers in drooping 2"
clusters, followed by edible scarlet 3/4" fruits. Shrub or tree to 30 feet,
with glossy green 4" leaves. S. Europe to Ireland. Hardy to Georgia and on
the Pacific Coast. Zone 7. Makes a striking display as a specimen shrub. Fruits
have a banana-like consistency, and are sweet and good eaten raw or as
preserves, syrup, or fermented and distilled. Produces a rare, highly-esteemed
honey in Sardinia. Prechill seed 4 - 8 weeks to germinate in 4 weeks.
ARCTIUM (ARK-tee-um)
COMPOSITAE. 'BURDOCK'. Large coarse biennials and perennials with large
leaves and burr-like heads of purple to white flowers. Some are cultivated for
edible roots or medicinal purposes. Others are weeds of undisturbed land; easily
destroyed by cultivation.
—Arctium Lappa. (50) ARCI-3. Packet: $2.50 OTC
ORGANIC SEED
Ounce: $7.50
'GOBO', 'GREAT BURDOCK'. Giant hardy perennial to 10 feet, with purple-red 1
3/4" thistle-like flowers and large 20" leaves, white-woolly beneath.
Eurasia. Zone 3. Often regarded as a 'weed' in the US, this is a popular
vegetable in Japan. The young first-year roots are eaten, the young peeled
shoots are eaten as an asparagus. Sow in deep rich soil in spring for a fall
harvest, or in fall for spring crop. The seeds are an important medicine in
Japan and China, and have antibiotic properties. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
ARCTOSTAPHYLOS (ark-to-STAF-ee-los)
ERICACEAE. Handsome evergreen shrubs and small trees, most from California.
Tiny, clustered, urn-shaped flowers followed by attractive red berries. Smooth
red to purple bark on contorted branches make them striking landscape plants for
mild climates. Seed may be slow to germinate.
Good bee plants and wildlife food and shelter. A complex and rapidly evolving
genus in the process of speciation, reaching its greatest diversity in
California. The name means 'bear-grape' as bears are fond of the berries,
which were also an important item of food among Californian Indians. They are
dry, mealy and very nutritious. Their ripening was celebrated by a special dance
and 'big eat' held by various tribes. They were made into mush, cider, brandy,
and vinegar by the settlers. The wood is prized for woodwork, and is a good hot
fuel. The leaves of various species are valued in medicine against urinary
infections, due to the action of the antiseptic glucoside Arbutin.
—Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi. (200) ARCO-48. Packet: $2.50
1/2 Ounce: $13.00
'BEAR-BERRY', 'KINNIKINICK'. Small white 1/4" pink-tinged flowers in
March to May, followed by small scarlet fruits. Mat-forming shrub to 2" or
so, with inch-long shiny green leaves. Northern North Hemisphere. To Zone 2.
Fruits eaten throughout its range. The leaves are smoked by Indians, and are
medicinal, being one of the best urinary antiseptics. Germinates best with fire
treatment and warm-cold cycles. Hold pots several years for stragglers.
ARGEMONE (ar-je-MOE-nee)
PAPAVERACEAE. 'PRICKLY POPPY', 'ARGEMONY'. Showy annuals grown for their
magnificent, poppy-like, yellow, white or purple flowers and for the striking
foliage. Easily grown, standing hot, dry, barren soils and drought. Sow where
they are to stand, or transplant from pots. Seed germinates readily in some
species, others need to be fall sown, and some need GA-3. Seed half-life 4 - 5
years. "Handsome and unusual."—Booth.
—Argemone polyanthemos. (200) ARGE-20. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $7.50
'WHITE PRICKLY-POPPY'. Large diaphanous white poppy-like 3 - 4" blooms.
Large prickly hardy annual or biennial to 4 feet. Eastern base of the Rockies.
Striking in bloom. Seed viable 4 - 5 years. Germination may be helped by high
temperatures (90°F), prechill, or 250 ppm GA-3.
ARIOCARPUS: See Reserved Access page.
ARISAEMA (a-ri-SAY-ma)
ARACEAE. Many herbaceous perennial aroids valued for their curious spathes
and leaves. Best in moist shady places, woods, and the tender species in the
greenhouse. Keep dry during winter dormancy. Some germinate readily, others are
dormant.
Arisaemas often do best by soaking 48 hours then sowing, to germinate in 1 -2
months.
Arisaema pictures: http://www.kalle-k.dk/Arisaema.htm
—Arisaema ciliatum. (10) ARIS-4. Packet: $3.50 OUT OF
STOCK
Pictures: http://www.aroid.org/genera/speciespage.php?genus=arisaema&species=ciliatum
Long-tailed spathe striped maroon, in summer, followed by spikes of red
berries. Perennial to 30", with striking leaves like a fan palm. Mountains
of Sichuan and Yunnan China. Zone 5 or 6. Germinates in 4 - 8 weeks.
NEW—Arisaema flavum. (25) ARIS-9. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
Neat little yellow hoods under 2" long, purple inside, in early summer.
Hardy species (Zone 4) to 9 - 12" tall, with pedately divided 5"
leaves. Yemen to the Himalayas and China. Colonizes well. Hardy to zone 5 at
least. Germinates in 1 - 8 weeks warm, shade flat.
—Arisaema tortuosum. (10) ARIS-26. Packet: $3.00
'RATSTAIL COBRA FLOWER'. Hooded green 6" spathe, pale purple inside,
with a long, curved, tail-like appendage. Perennial to 3 - 4 feet, with stem and
leaves mottled purple. Himalayas to 8000 feet. Zone 7. The large corms are
medicinal and poisonous, but eaten by Nepali mountaineers after preparation.
ARISTOLOCHIA (a-ris-to-LO-kee-a)
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. Mostly tropical climbers, and some hardy perennials, grown for
their extraordinarily peculiar flowers, and the attractive heart-shaped foliage.
The remarkable curved flowers temporarily trap pollinating insects much like
pitcher plants. Some are specific butterfly host-plants. Some are medicinal,
ranging from fertility control, to snake bite remedies to arrow poisons. Easy
from seed in ordinary soil.
—Aristolochia californica. (5) ARST-3. Packet:
$4.00
'CALIFORNIA DUTCHMAN'S PIPE VINE' Peculiar brown 1 1/2" long flowers with
the tube bent double, appearing before the leaves, in February to April.
Deciduous woody climber to 12 feet, with large, heart-shaped 6" leaves.
Sparingly found in coastal California, along stream banks and in moist shady
woods. Zone 8.
—Aristolochia fimbriata. (10) ARST-7. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
Remarkable peculiar flowers with curved tube and round, inch-wide,
purple-brown end veined yellow, with a fringe of thread-like lobes, in fall. Not
cool enough for you? They smell of brandy... Small creeping vine to 10 feet,
with round 3" leaves with silvery veins. Brazil and Argentina. Zone 8.
Germinates in 3 weeks, with some stragglers to 6 months.
ARMATOCEREUS (ar-ma-to-SEER-ee-us)
CACTACEAE. Columnar South American cacti. Sometimes included in Lemaireocereus.
Easily grown.
—Armatocereus matucanensis (10) ARMA-17.
Packet: $2.50
Similar to A. laetus but more shrubby and with longer, more numerous
spines, up to 4" long. Endemic to Matucana, Peru. Zone 9. Difficult
germination.
ARNICA (AR-ni-ka)
COMPOSITAE. Hardy perennial yellow daisies, valued in the wild and rock
garden. Quick growing in acid soil and easy from seed.
—Arnica Chamissonis. (100) ARNI-5. Packet: $2.50
'MEADOW ARNICA'. Bright yellow 2" daisies in summer. Hardy perennial to
2 - 3 feet, with 6" leaves. W. N. America. Zone 2. Highly valued as
medicine, considered equivalent to Arnica montana. Easily grown in moist
soil. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Arnica montana. (25) ARNI-11. Packet: $3.00 EU
ORGANIC
Gram $7.50 BULK OUT OF STOCK - packets are available
'MOUNTAIN TOBACCO'. Large golden 3" daisies on a hardy perennial to
24", with a rosette of 8" leaves. Europe and W. Asia. Blooms May to
August. Best in well-drained lime-free soil and full sun. Zone 5. A tincture of
the flowers and roots is a famous remedy for sprains and bruises. Germinates in
2 - 7 weeks.
ARTEMISIA (ar-te-MEE-see-a)
COMPOSITAE. 'WORMWOOD', 'SAGEBRUSH'. A large genus of aromatic and bitter
plants, many of which are valuable culinary and medicinal herbs. Named for the
Greek goddess Artemis. Easily grown in poor dry soil—many thrive in
arid regions. Grown as nice specimen plants for their small yellow or white disk
flowers and often attractive greyish foliage. Sow on the surface, to germinate
in 1 - 6 weeks. Seed viable 3 - 9 years.
—Artemisia Absinthium. (1000) ARTE-2. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $22.00, 50 grams: $90.00 NEW PRICE
Click for photo »
'WORMWOOD', 'ABSINTHE'. Shrubby hardy perennial to 2 - 5 feet, with greyish,
silky, divided foliage and leafy spikes of little nodding flowers in July to
October. Europe. Zone 3. Sun or part shade. A valuable bitter medicinal herb
grown since ancient times for its virtues. One of the oldest known medicinal
plants, it was used by the ancient Egyptians. The Romans burned it as incense,
drank it to promote longevity, and flavored their wine with it. Widely grown for
flavoring poultry dishes, beer and vermouth, and for making cordials and
bitters, including the infamous, debilitating liqueur 'absinthe'. The herb was
used as a vermifuge, tonic, digestive stimulant and febrifuge. Germinates in 1 -
3 weeks.
—Artemisia annua. (1000) ARTE-3. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $14.00, 25 grams: $50.00
Detailed information on cultivation of Sweet Annie in the tropics for
anti-malarial medicine: Link
Anamed
'SWEET ANNIE'. Tiny nodding yellow flowers in panicles, set off against the
bright green divided, saw-toothed leaves. Handsome fast growing annual to 10
feet. Eurasia. The sweetly fragrant foliage is popular in wreaths and
potpourris. Long used medicinally in China, it is a highly effective
anti-malarial, finding use against quinine-resistant strains of the disease.
Formerly considered a weed, it is now a highly valued plant. Germinates in 2 - 6
weeks.
NEW—Artemisia chamaemelifolia. (250) ARTE-14. Packet: $2.50
Aromatic shrublet to 8 - 24", with small yellow flowers in summer and
fall, and finely divided leaves. Mountains of Eurasia. Zone 3. Germinates in 1 -
2 weeks.
—Artemisia lactiflora. (100) ARTE-25. Packet: $2.50
'WHITE MUGWORT'. Tiny cream flowers in foot-long plumes, above large, divided
10" leaves. Hardy perennial to 6 feet. China. Zone 4. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks warm.
—Artemisia Stelleriana 'Mori' Strain'. (25) ARTE-44. Packet: $2.50
'BEACH WORMWOOD', 'OLD WOMAN'. Prostrate shrub to 8", with woolly,
silvery lobed leaves and yellow flowers. NE Asia and N. America. Zone 3.
Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana. (500) ARTE-47V. Packet: $2.50
'MOUNTAIN SAGEBRUSH'. Rounded aromatic evergreen silvery-grey shrub to 3 - 5
feet, with sprays of small flowers in July to November. W. U.S. Zone 5. The
powerfully aromatic leaves are an important Indian medicine and burned as
incense. Easy and tough, for dry difficult areas. Sow on the surface to
germinate in 1 - 7 weeks.
—Artemisia vulgaris. (1000) ARTE-50. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $7.50
'MUGWORT'. Very hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with dark green divided
leaves and tall, pyramidal clusters of small yellowish flowers. Europe. Zone 3.
The bitter, aromatic leaves were used extensively for flavoring beer before the
introduction of hops, hence the name. The dried leaves were much used as a
pleasant tea, and as a tonic nervine and emmenagogue. Valued since ancient
times, it was praised by Dioscorides. As a culinary herb, it goes well with
poultry, particularly goose. Used in perfumes, soaps and incense. Fresh sprigs
put in beer. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at warm temperatures, and KNO3 helps.
ARUM (AR-um)
ARACEAE. Jack-in-the-pulpit-like tuberous perennials with arrowhead-shaped
leaves and interesting spathes. Good pot plants or outdoors in mild climates.
Best in part shade and rich soil, with plenty of water while growing.
Germination of dry seed may be prolonged and irregular, hold pots outdoors
several years. I have had best results with seed cleaned out of the berries, and
stored moist (never dried). These germinate readily the first season.
—Arum cyrenaicum Arch 195.150. (20) ARUM-8. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00, 50 grams: $30.00
Click for photo »
Fresh seed stored moist and refrigerated for rapid germination.
Large rosy purplish spathes and purple spadices. Dark green arrowhead leaves
delicately spotted. Woodland species from Libya. Rarely seen.
—Arum pictum. (25) ARUM-18. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $15.00, 50 grams: $50.00
Click for photo »
Fresh seed stored moist and refrigerated for rapid germination.
'BLACK CALLA'. Deep velvety reddish purple cowl-like 7" spathes in fall.
Deep shiny green 10" arrowhead leaves that are purple-edged when young,
creamy-veined later. Corsica and Sardinia. Zone 8. The only fall-blooming Arum.
—Arum purpureospathum. (10) ARUM-20. Packet: $3.00
50 seed: $10.00
Fresh seed stored moist and refrigerated for rapid germination.
Click for photo »
Nice photo
Lots
of nice photos
Striking large deep purple spathes to 12" long, held well above the
leaves, in April and May, followed by orange berries. Dark green foot-long
leaves emerge in fall. Endangered endemic, known only from a few sites in
southwestern Crete, where it is protected. Zone 8. Likes a dry summer for
dormancy.
ASCLEPIAS (as-KLEP-ee-as)
ASCLEPIADACEAE. 'MILKWEED', 'SILKWEED'. Some of the most striking of our N.
American wildflowers, they are showy summer and fall blooming hardy perennials.
Easily grown and making nice specimens in the border or wild garden. Attractive
foliage and pods. Often grown to attract butterflies. Some are medicinal, used
as spring greens or produce fine fiber. Some species germinate readily in as
little as 8 days, up to 60 - 90 days, others need cold.
—Asclepias currassavica. (100) ASCL-3. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50, 1/4 Pound: $20.00
'BLOOD FLOWER'. Deep reddish purple flowers with orange hoods, in flat
clusters. Tender perennial to 2 - 3 feet. Tropical America. Zone 8. A host to
the Monarch butterfly. Used medicinally and the stem fiber has been spun, and
the seed floss used in pillows. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks warm.
—Asclepias fascicularis. (50) ASCL-4. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $8.50, Ounce: $35.00,
'NARROW-LEAF MILKWEED'. Light pink to white flowers in clusters in June to
September. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with narrow leaves. W. U.S. Stands
drought. Young leaves were eaten by Indians. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Asclepias incarnata. (50) ASCL-6. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $7.50, Ounce: $20.00, 1/4 Pound: $60.00
'SWAMP MILKWEED'. Rose-pink flowers in mid to late summer. Hardy perennial
to 4 feet with fibrous roots. E. U.S. Zone 3. Germinates easily at warm
temperatures, but a week of cold can help. Likes moist soil, but does fine in
gardens. The buds were eaten in deer-broth soup or corn meal mush by the
Indians, who also stored them for winter. Germinates in 2 weeks with stragglers
up to 1 year. Light cold or fall sowing may give more even germination.
—Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet'. (10) ASCL-6B. Packet: $2.50
White flowers in clusters in July to Sept. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with
narrow leaves. Zone 3. Said to be vanilla-scented. Prechill seed to germinate in
2 - 10 weeks.
—Asclepias speciosa. (50) ASCL-12. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50, 1/4 Pound: $20.00
'SHOWY MILKWEED'. Pink to purple flowers with long hoods, in clusters, from
May to July. Hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet. W. N. America. The first tender
shoots have been cooked as a spring vegetable like asparagus. "The best
of all wild greens."—J. M. Bates. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks. The
star-shaped pink flowers are loved by bees.
—Asclepias syriaca. (50) ASCL-14. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $10.00, 1/4 Pound: $30.00
Click for photos »
'COMMON MILKWEED'. Sweet scented lavender to purple flowers in dense umbels
in mid summer. Hardy perennial to 5 feet. NE U.S. Zone 3. The seed and stem
fibers have been used for textiles. The young shoots in spring are an excellent
asparagus, the young green pods are eaten. The Sioux boiled them with their
bison meat. The flowers are also eaten, and provided the Indians with a kind of
sugar. The root was used as an anodyne. Germinates in 3 - 4 weeks warm, and is
improved by GA-3.
—Asclepias tuberosa. (50) ASCL-15. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $10.00, Ounce: $35.00, 1/4 Pound: $115.00
'BUTTERFLY WEED', 'PLEURISY - ROOT'. Brilliant orange flowers in large
clusters in mid summer. Hardy perennial to 3 feet from long horizontal roots. E.
U.S. Zone 3. Excellent cut flowers. Highly attractive to many butterflies.
Stands drought and dry soil. The tender shoots were eaten like asparagus, the
flowers provided sugar, and the young pods were eaten. The medicinal root was
boiled and eaten by various tribes. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Asclepias tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies'. (25) ASCL-15G. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $12.00
Striking mix of brilliant orange-red, orange, and yellow flowers in dense
clusters. Hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet, with narrow leaves. An improved strain
of the old favorite butterfly-weed. Choice! Attracts many butterflies.
Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Asclepias verticillata. (100) ASCL-76. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50, 5 grams: $30.00
'HORSETAIL MILKWEED'. White flowers are flushed green, in clusters from July
to September. Hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet, with narrow, whorled 3"
leaves, so the plant resembles a horsetail. Maine to New Mexico. Zone 4. Good in
dry places. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
ASPARAGUS (as-PAR-a-gus)
LILIACEAE. Eastern Hemisphere perennials grown for food, ornament, and
medicine. Easy in rich moist soil. Good foliage plants.
—Asparagus verticillatus. (10) ASPG-88. Packet: $4.00
'VINE ASPARAGUS'. Twining vine to 15 feet, with narrow needle-like bright
green 2" leaves. Hardy perennial with black to red berries. Iran to
Siberia. Zone 3. Highly ornamental. The young shoots have been eaten. Germinates
in about 3 weeks. Slow growing at first.
"All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The
right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy."—Paracelsus (1493 -
1541)
ASTILBE (a-STIL-be)
SAXIFRAGACEAE. Asian and North American perennials for rich moist soil, sun
or part shade. Sow on the surface of a fine soil. The plume-like sprays of
flowers are good for cutting.
NEW—Astilbe chinensis var. pumila. (250) ASTI-6P. Packet: $2.50
True dwarf to only 9 - 15" tall, with large, feathery pink
flower-clusters in summer. Divided leaves. China. Zone 3. Surface sow to
germinate in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
ASTRAGALUS (as-tra-GAL-us)
LEGUMINOSAE. The largest genus of vascular plants, some 2000 species nearly
worldwide. Annuals, perennials and shrubs from a variety of habitats. They
provide food, forage, gums, medicinals, cosmetics, and are soil builders,
mineral indicators, etc.
—Astragalus crassicarpus. (50) ASTR-12. Packet: $2.50
'GROUND PLUM'. Violet-purple 1" flowers in short racemes, sometimes
varying to cream. Hardy perennial to 15" with feathery pinnate 6"
leaves. Great Plains. Zone 4. The inch-long round pods resemble green plums and
are eaten like snow peas, raw or cooked. Soak, nick hard ones, germinates in 1 -
3 weeks.
—Astragalus glycyphyllos. (50) ASTR-22.
Packet: $2.50
Pictures and info: http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/wild-liquorice
'LICORICE SWEETVETCH'. Creamy to yellowish 1/2" flowers in dense
clusters in summer, followed by dense clusters of curved pods. Sprawling
perennial to 3 feet across. Eurasia. Zone 3. Good nitrogen-fixing pioneer
species. Leaves have been used as tea. Soak, nick hard ones, germinates in 3 - 4
weeks. This lot dormant, and germinates over 1 - 6 months after nicking, a
prechill might help.
"The Checkered Demon just smiled."—S. Clay Wilson
ASTRANTIA (as-TRAN-tee-a)
UMBELLIFERAE. 'MASTERWORT'. Ornamental hardy perennial herbs with palmately
divided leaves, grown in borders.
—Astrantia major 'Primadonna'. (50) ASTA-16P. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
'GREAT MASTERWORT'. Large umbels with star-like bracts in varying shades of
wine-red. Excellent for cut or dried flowers. Hardy perennial to 30", with
attractive foliage. Bushy habit, good in borders, among shrubbery and at
waterside. Europe. Zone 5.
ATRIPLEX (AT-ri-plex)
CHENOPODIACEAE. 'SALTBUSH'. Herbs and shrubs with inconspicuous flowers,
grown for edible greens, the handsome foliage, or as nutritious forage in arid
regions. Salt tolerant, good for reclaiming saline soils. Easily grown in full
sun. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks, cool to warm temperatures. Seed viable 6 years.
All hortensis types are also used in floral ornament both fresh and
dried, and have been cultivated since the 1500s and 1600s.
—Atriplex hortensis 'Aurora'. (50) ATRI-11A. Packet: $2.50 OTC
ORGANIC SEED
1/4 Ounce: $9.00, Ounce: $20.00
Bright red, gold, green, pink, carmine, and deep purple foliage. Stunning in
salads and for cooked greens, as well as cut floral ornament. Sure to be a good
seller at farmer's markets. Organically grown. Germinates in a week or so.
—Atriplex hortensis 'Magenta Magic'. (50) ATRI-11M. Packet: $2.50 OTC
ORGANIC SEED
1/4 Ounce: $9.00
Deep glowing magenta-red leaves, a wonderful new color for baby salad
greens. Organically-grown.
—Atriplex hortensis 'Triple Purple'. (50) ATRI-11TP. Packet: $2.50 OTC
ORGANIC SEED
1/4 Ounce: $17.00, Ounce: $28.00
Heavily crumpled, thick purple leaves. Very ornamental; new salad vegetable for
the restaurant trade. Developed by Shoulder to Shoulder Farm. Organically grown.
Germinates in a week or so.
—Atriplex hortensis 'Red'. (100) ATRI-11R. Packet: $2.50
'RED ORACH'. Striking ornamental red-purple leaves and stems. Popular
variety to 3 feet, growing all year except when freezing. The succulent leaves
are a colorful addition to salads, or can be boiled like spinach or chard.
Pretty in the flower garden. Gives about 2% green plants.
ATROPA (AT-ro-pa or a-TRO-pa)
SOLANACEAE. 'BELLADONNA'. Several hardy perennials grown for ornament and
medicine. Attractive bell-shaped flowers and shiny purple-black berries. Easily
grown in any ordinary soil, doing very well in chalky, limestone soils. Named
for Atropos, one of the three fates which severed the thread of life.
Though rarely fatal to adults, children should be warned against them, and keep
the berries picked. They become stately plants in a few years. Sow in early
spring to germinate in 4 - 6 weeks. Germination is improved by cold treatment,
GA-3, or soaking in vodka overnight (to leach out inhibitors).
—Atropa Belladonna. (100) ATRO-1. Packet: $2.50
Needs prechill, GA-3, or light and KNO3 to germinate.
—Atropa Belladonna GA-3. (100) ATRO-1G. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $7.50, 5 grams: $18.00
Pre-Primed with GA-3.
'BELLADONNA', 'DWALE'. Purple blue or purple-yellow nodding inch-long bells
in June to September, followed by shiny purple-black 1/2" berries. Graceful
hardy perennial to 3 - 6 feet, with large ovate 3 - 10" leaves and purple
stems. Eurasia. Zone 5. An ancient, legendary and powerful herb with a long
history of medical and magical use. The plant was said to take the form of a
lovely enchantress, but dangerous to look upon. Macbeth poisoned an army of
invading Danes by giving them wine laced with the herb. It was used since
ancient times as a surgical anesthetic, against asthma, cardiac disease, etc.,
and is a major source of pharmaceuticals to this day. It is used to dilate the
pupil for ocular examination, and Italian ladies formerly used this property by
putting the juice in their eyes to increase their beauty, hence the name. Plant
out of reach of children, and warn them against the berries. Germinates in 3 - 6
weeks at warm temperatures.
"The outside is bigger than the inside."—J.L.H.