J.
L. HUDSON, SEEDSMAN,
BOX 337, LA
HONDA, CALIFORNIA
94020-0337 USA
2021 SEEDLIST - Ea - Er
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ECHINACEA (e-ki-NAY-see-a)
COMPOSITAE. 'CONE FLOWER'. Bold herbaceous North American perennials with
large, showy, daisy-like flowers and thick, medicinal roots. They are some of
our finest natives, giving 2 months or more of late summer bloom, good for
cutting. Easy in the border or wild garden, doing well in rich, sandy loam in
warm sunny spots. Likes lime.
—Echinacea pallida. (100) ECHI-19. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $9.00, 1/4 Pound: $27.00
'PALE PURPLE CONEFLOWER'. Striking wildflower. Showy large flowers with
narrow drooping 1 1/2 - 3 1/2" long petals flushed rosy purple, and large
dark purple-brown centers. Hardy perennial to 3 - 5 feet tall. Illinois to
Texas. Zone 3. A long-lived plant, it will make a great display year after year.
Highly valued by the Indians as a medicinal plant, its roots are prized by
herbalists. Like E. purpurea and angustifolia, it was used as a
universal panacea. It stimulates the immune system and production of white blood
cells (T-cells), increases lymphatic filtration, possesses tumor-inhibiting
properties, is effective against bacterial and viral infections, helps wound
healing, is anti-allergy, etc. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks, some lots need 6 - 8
weeks cold.
—Echinacea purpurea. (100) ECHI-27. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00, 1/4 Pound: $18.00
Click for photo »
(With Allium jajlae)
'PURPLE CONEFLOWER'. Large, handsome, reddish purple 4" wide flowers
with darker centers, on a hardy perennial to 2 - 5 feet. E. U.S. Zone 3. An
excellent long-lived perennial. Valued as a universal panacea by the Plains and
Eastern Indians, the root was used for a wide variety of ailments. They are
still quite popular, being especially valued in Europe, where they are
frequently employed as a non-specific immune system stimulant effective against
bacterial and viral infections. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
—Echinacea tennesseensis. (25) ECHI-36. Packet: $3.00
'TENNESSEE CONEFLOWER'. Rosy purple 3" flowers with upturned petals, in
summer. Rare hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with narrow, dark green foliage.
Only a few wild stands in Tennessee, it was listed as endangered until 2011.
Zone 5. A fine example of preservation through dissemination. Germinates in a
few weeks, prechill helps.
ECHINOCYSTIS (ee-ki-no-SIS-tis)
CUCURBITACEAE. A single species.
—Echinocystis lobata. (10) ECHY-15. Packet: $2.50
1/2 Ounce: $7.50
'MOCK CUCUMBER'. Attractive fast growing annual to 15 - 20 feet, with
smooth, lobed leaves, and large clusters of white flowers. Egg shaped 2"
papery fruits. E. N. America. Fresh seed dormant, sow outdoors early for best
germination, and hold pots two years for stragglers.
ECHINOPS (e-KY-nops)
COMPOSITAE. 'GLOBE THISTLE'. Handsome hardy Old World biennials and
perennials grown for their large showy globular blue, violet or white heads,
which are valued florist material, and also make good dried flowers. Striking
plants, best in colonized clumps, their metallic heads making a bold effect.
Attractive to bees. Good in dry, light, well-drained soil. Easy from seed sown
January on, up to 2 months before fall frosts. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks, or up
to 2 months. Seed viable 2 years or more.
—Echinops sphaerocephalus. (10) ECHN-22. Packet: $2.50
'GREAT GLOBE THISTLE'. Large blue 2" globular flower-heads. Tall hardy
perennial to 5 - 8 feet, with pinnately divided leaves and cobwebby stems.
Europe to Siberia. Zone 3. A bold, striking perennial. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks
or so.
—Echinops sphaerocephalus 'Arctic Glow'. (10) ECHN-22AG. Packet: $2.50
Large white balls of flowers on red stems, from June to August. Thistle-like
hardy perennial to 32". The red stems are a striking contrast to the white
flowers and green leaves, making an excellent cut flower. Choice! Germinates in
1 - 2 weeks warm.
ECHIUM (EK-ee-um)
BORAGINACEAE. Showy Mediterranean annuals and perennials, some spectacular
giants. Easily grown in sunny, dry, poor, well-drained soil in warm areas and
near the seacoast. They all attract bees, and one is lizard pollinated! Most
germinate in 3 - 4 weeks.
—Echium fastuosum. (50) ECHM-4. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $7.50, Ounce: $15.00
Click for photo »
'PRIDE OF MADIERA'. Dramatic spikes of dark blue-purple 1/2" flowers
with red stamens, in May and June. Shrub to 6 feet, with grey-green narrow
leaves. Canary Islands. Hardy to about 5 - 10°F. Good in coastal California or
the cool greenhouse. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks warm.
—Echium russicum. (50) ECHM-10. Packet: $2.50
Deep red 1/2" flowers with long-exserted stamens, in dense foot-long
racemes. Bushy hardy biennial or short-lived perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with
narrow, pointed, 4" silvery-fuzzy leaves. Europe and W. Asia. Zone 3.
Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks or so.
—Echium vulgare. (100) ECHM-12. Packet: $2.50 EU
ORGANIC
5 grams: $14.00 EU ORGANIC
CANNOT BE SHIPPED TO MONTANA
Click for photo »
'VIPER'S BUGLOSS', 'BLUE-WEED'. Showy biennial with numerous flowers in
curved spikes. The flowers open bright rose, then turn brilliant blue. June and
July. Hardy biennial to 2 - 3 feet. Eurasia. Zone 3. An excellent bee-plant. Was
used medicinally against poisons and venom, hence the name. "...really
brings butterflies and bees to my garden."—T. Vogelsang. Germinates
in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Echium Wildpretii. (50) ECHM-14. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $30.00, 100 grams: $90.00
Click for photos »
'TOWER OF JEWELS'. Rosy red flowers with long-exserted stamens, in huge
tapered conical clusters up to a foot thick and 10 feet tall, creating a
striking effect. Biennial with narrow downy leaves. Canary Islands. Zone 9. In
cold climates hold over winter in a tub in the greenhouse, and plant out the
second spring. A real traffic-stopper here in California. Germinates in 1 - 6
weeks warm. Some lots partially dormant and need GA-3 for best germination. This is the true species and comes true from seed, no hybrids.
ELEUSINE (el-you-SEE-ne)
GRAMINEAE. Tufted annual grasses grown for ornament and as a grain in Africa
and India. Easy.
—Eleusine coracana 'Green Cat'. (100) ELEU-6G. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
An improved variety with large heads, good for grain or as an unusual
cutflower material. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
'DRAGON'S CLAW MILLET', 'RAGI'. Annual to 2 - 3 feet, with heads resembling a
dragon's foot. Africa and Asia. Gives a good yield of grain and is grown for
this purpose in Africa, Asia and the U.S. It is a fine cereal, and is made into
flour. Made into a beer called M'Poko in Africa. Eaten as a vegetable in
Indonesia. The most productive cereal in India. Yields up to 2000 pounds per
acre. The earliest African agriculture, since 5000 B.P. Germinates in 1 - 3
weeks.
ELSHOLTZIA (el-SHOLT-zee-a)
LABIATAE. Eurasian and African plants, often aromatic. Easily grown
late-blooming plants, valued for their dense spikes of flowers. Full sun.
—Elsholtzia Stauntonii. (100) ELSH-22. Packet: $3.00
Rosy purple flowers in dense 4 - 8" spikes in September and October.
Aromatic shrubby perennial to 5 feet, with 5" leaves. N. China. Zone 4.
Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks warm.
ELYMUS (e-LEE-mus)
GRAMINEAE. Tall perennial grasses grown for ornament and grain.
NEW—Elymus glaucus. (100) ELYM-14. Packet: $2.50
'BLUE WILD RYE'. Variable bunch grass with dense 4 - 8" spikes on long
stems. W. N. America. Zone 5. This northern California form makes nice green
clumps to 3 - 5 feet, good to naturalize in oak woodlands. The seeds were eaten.
Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
EMPETRUM (em-PET-rum)
EMPETRACEAE. Several species of low evergreen shrubs from cold regions. Good
in the rock garden.
—Empetrum nigrum. (100) EMPE-8. Packet: $3.00
'MOSSBERRY', 'CROWBERRY'. Tiny pink to purplish 1/4" flowers, abundant
in April to June, followed by glossy black-purple 1/4" edible berries. Low
spreading heath-like shrub to 8 - 12", with tiny, needle-like 1/4"
leaves, giving it a mossy look. N. America to Eurasia. Very hardy, Zone 3, often
growing among rocks. Berries a favorite food, eaten in a variety of ways by
northern peoples, from Eskimo to Icelander. Twigs brewed as tea. Germinates in 4
- 6 weeks warm with GA-3.
EPILOBIUM (e-pi-LOW-bee-um)
ONAGRACEAE. 'WILLOW HERB'. Showy hardy perennials with willow-like leaves
and large spikes of deep pink, crimson, white or yellow flowers of striking
beauty. At their best in moist places or at the waters edge, but are well
adapted to the border, meadow and wild-garden. Easy from seed. Sow on the
surface to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Epilobium angustifolium. (500) EPIL-4. Packet: $2.50
Click for photos »
'GIANT WILLOWHERB', 'FIREWEED', 'ROSEBAY'. Large purple to rose 1 1/4"
wide flowers in long showy spikes in July and August. Hardy perennial to 3 - 8
feet, with 6" willow-like leaves. N. Hemisphere. Zone 2. Good cut flower.
The young shoots have been used as an asparagus. The leaves were formerly used
as a tea substitute, but were said to be stupefying in excess. An ale was brewed
from them in Kamchatka, with the addition of Fly Agarics. The pith of the stems
was eaten by N. American Indians. The plant has many medicinal uses. "Our
finest and most showy species."—Parsons.
EPIPACTIS
NEW—Epipactis Helleborine. EPIP-12. Packet: $2.50
'HELLEBORINE'. Dense spikes of purple and green 1/2" flowers in summer.
Hardy perennial orchid to 3 - 4 feet. Europe, naturalized in the US. Zone 6. Sow
on the surface, keep moist. One of the easiest hardy wild orchids to grow from
seed.
EPITHELANTHA (e-PI-the-LAN-tha)
CACTACEAE. Three species of tiny cacti.
—Epithelantha micromeris. (25) EPIT-8.
Packet: $4.00
'HIKULI MULATO'. Tiny globular cactus to 1 1/2", densely covered with
minute white spines. Small pink 1/2" flowers, followed by bright pink
fruits. South Texas to México. Zone 8. Used by Tarahumara shamans to 'heighten
perception and clear the senses'. Needs excellent drainage. Germinates best with
bright light, and GA-3 may help.
ERYNGIUM (e-RIN-jee-um)
UMBELLIFERAE. Attractive border and rock garden plants. Some 230 species,
nearly worldwide. Somewhat thistle-like perennials valued for cut flowers and
for drying. Best in full sun and light rich soil. Most germinate readily at cool
temperatures, and some need cold.
NEW—Eryngium agavifolium. (100) ERYN-1. Packet: $2.50
Blue-green 2" flower heads on a hardy perennial to 5 feet, with
sword-shaped, spine-edged leaves, resembling Agave. Argentina. Zone 7.
Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Eryngium alpinum superbum. (25) ERYN-2. Packet: $3.00
Large dark blue thistle-like flowers in clusters in July and August, on a hardy
perennial to 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 feet, with large, heart-shaped basal leaves.
Mountains of Europe. Not prickly. Zone 5. Prechill seed 6 - 8 weeks.
—Eryngium foetidum. (50) ERYN-8. Packet: $2.50
'CULANTRO', 'FALSE CORIANDER', 'RECAO DE MONTE', 'SPIRITWEED'. Evergreen
herbaceous perennial to 1 foot, with spiny toothed leaves and tiny white
flowers. Tropical America. The favorite leaf to flavor soups, it is
indispensable in Latin-American cooking. It has a flavor like Cilantro
(Coriander) but is stronger. It has been adopted by S.E. Asian cooks. It is a
highly regarded folk remedy for high blood pressure and fits. Germinates in 2 -
4 weeks, some lots dormant and need GA-3.
—Eryngium giganteum. (25) ERYN-9. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $20.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - packets are available
Click for photos »
'GIANT SEA-HOLLY'. Silvery green to pale blue 4" long flower-heads with
striking ivory white boldly toothed bracts. July to August. Hardy perennial to 6
feet, with triangular to heart-shaped leaves. Caucasus. Zone 4. Good, stunning,
long-lasting cut flowers, which also dry well. Monocarpic; cut flowers to extend
bloom. Sow in late fall, space 2 feet apart. Prechill 6 - 8 weeks to germinate
in 3 - 7 months.
—Eryngium planum 'Blaukappe'. (50) ERYN-198. Packet: $2.50
'BLUE CAP'. Intense blue flowers in 1/2" heads with star-like bracts, borne
profusely on a hardy perennial to 28". Eurasia. Zone 4. Germinates in 1 - 4
weeks.
—Eryngium yuccifolium. (100) ERYN-28. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $12.00
'RATTLESNAKE MASTER' Globular heads of white flowers in July and August. Hardy
perennial to 2 - 6 feet, with Yucca-like, sword-shaped leaves to 3 feet long. E.
U.S. Likes moist soils and full sun, blooms the second year from seed. Zone 4.
The roots were a highly valued medicine among various Indian peoples throughout
its range. Germinates in 8 - 12 weeks at cold (40° F) temperatures.
"The two most common things in the universe are hydrogen and
stupidity."—H. Ellison.
ERYTHRINA (er-ith-REE-na)
LEGUMINOSAE. Over 100 species of tropical trees and a few herbs. A complex
group, displaying reticulate evolution. Most bird-pollinated, with interesting
adaptations of the nectar nutrients to the needs of the bird species, and
dry-season flowering providing a water source for birds and squirrels.
Extrafloral nectaries may attract guard-ant species.
Cultivated for ornament and many uses. Shiny red or orange flowers and many have
bright seeds used as beads and in games, mostly toxic, but some eaten. Easily
grown in warm climates or in the greenhouse. Nick and soak seed, to germinate in
10 - 20 days or so at warm temperatures. The seeds may float long distances in
the sea. Many contain poisonous curare-like alkaloids used in medicine.
—Erythrina Corallodendrum. (5) ERYT-4. Packet: $3.00
1/2 Ounce: $15.00
'CORAL TREE', 'IMMORTEL'. Deep red 2" long flowers in 4 - 12"
racemes, followed by 4" pods filled with bright scarlet seeds. Tree to 25
feet with trifoliate leaves, sometimes spiny. West Indies. Zone 10. Bark and
seeds medicinal and poisonous. Nick and soak to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks or so.
ERYTHRONIUM (e-ri-THRO-nee-um)
LILIACEAE. Attractive N. Hemisphere cormous perennials, good in shade or the
wild garden. Multi-cycle germinators.
—Erythronium grandiflorum. (75) ERYTH-8. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $15.00
Click for photo »
'AVALANCHE LILY', 'YELLOW FAWN LILY'. Bright golden yellow 2" flowers with
recurved petals and reddish purple anthers, solitary or in clusters of up to 6,
held above the oblong 6" leaves. Open forests, B.0 to Utah &
California. The corms were eaten by the Indians, and the Wailakis believed that
if they bathed in a decoction of it "...they can stop a rattlesnake from
having dreams..."—Chesnut. Sow in early fall or give 4 weeks warm,
then cold. Root germinates in 2 - 4 months cold. High germination.