LABIATAE. 'BASIL'. Aromatic tender annuals grown in the herb garden for their value as seasoning and fragrance. The leaves are widely used in sauces and soups, the flavor blending particularly well with tomatoes. The clove-like fragrance has been considered soothing, and a cure for nervous headaches. Basil tea is said to calm an upset stomach. Start seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost, and plant out after all danger of frost is past. Thin to 6" apart. Basil likes full sun, and all types do well in pots. Harvest fresh leaves anytime. For drying, cut just before it reaches full bloom. Seed viable 8 - 10 years. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Ocimum americanum 'Lime'. (500) OCIM-1LI. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $18.00
'LIME BASIL'. Has a zesty lime flavor.
—Ocimum Basilicum 'Cinnamon'. (1000) OCIM-1C. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $9.00
1/4 Pound: $22.00
'CINNAMON BASIL'. Spicy aroma, purple flowers, to 30". A fine variety. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Ocimum Basilicum 'Dwarf Greek'. (1000) OCIM-1DG. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $25.00
Compact bushy plants with small, intensely fragrant leaves. Perfect for window-boxes and borders. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Ocimum Basilicum 'Large Sweet'. (1000) OCIM-1S. Packet: $1.50
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $9.00
The most popular and widely grown variety. Sweet and aromatic 2 - 3" leaves. To 1 - 2 feet tall.
—Ocimum Basilicum 'Red Rubin'. (500) OCIM-1RR. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $9.00
1/4 Pound: $22.00
Dark purple-red leaves with a good flavor. Bushy plant to 18", a selection from Dark Opal, more compact and stays red longer into the summer.
—Ocimum Basilicum 'Siam Queen'. (500) OCIM-1SQ. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Ounce: $7.50
Ounce: $18.00
Info and photos: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/48849/
Flavorful Thai basil with an anise-clove flavor. To 14", with attractive dark flower spikes. AAS 1997. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Ocimum sanctum. (1000) OCIM-24. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
1/4 Ounce: $10.00
Ounce: $30.00
'HOLY BASIL', 'TULSI'. Sweetly fragrant bushy perennial to 1 - 3 feet, grown as an annual in cold climates. Profuse purple or white bloom, and sometimes purplish-tinted foliage. Tropical Asia. Held sacred by the Hindus and grown around temples. Sections of the stem-bases are used in rosaries. The leaves are used in salads, and the oil is an effective antibiotic, and the leaves are used medicinally. Nice, distinctive clove-like flavor, good in cooking, salads, or for tea. Good in herb breads and herb butters. Good bee plant. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks. Light and KNO3 helps. Organically grown.
—Ocimum sanctum 'Purple Tulsi'. (400) OCIM-24P. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'KRISHNA TULSI'. Sweet clove-like scent and taste. Tender perennial to 3 feet, with reddish purple leaves. Highly valued adaptogen in Ayurvedic medicine. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks warm.
OENOTHERA (ee-NO-ther-a)
ONAGRACEAE. 'EVENING PRIMROSE', 'SUNDROPS'. Showy, sun-loving plants valued for their bright yellow, rose or white flowers. A large and wide ranging group of annuals, biennials and perennials, generally preferring sunny dry open ground. Easy from seed in ordinary soil. Start in March, germinates in 1 - 3 weeks. Set out in May. Some are tall upright plants, others stemless, a few, trailers. The 'evening primroses' open in late afternoon with startling rapidity and attract nocturnal moths. The 'sun drops' open in the daytime. The flowers are often delicately perfumed. The perennials make nice clumps with age. They are variable and prone to mutation, and have been used in studies of evolution. The genus name is said to come from the Greek meaning 'wine-scenting' or 'wine-hunting', referring to the ancient use of the roots to flavor wine, or the more recent use of the roots of O. biennis eaten after meals with wine, as olives are today. They have a history of edible and medicinal use, and are the object of current research. The oil of the seed of O. Lamarckiana, biennis and others contains gamma-linolenic acid, (GLA) formerly found in substantial amounts only in human milk. GLA is involved in biosynthesis of prostaglandins, and there have been many claims for its effectiveness in treating a variety of ailments from obesity to hangover, high serum cholesterol, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis.
—Oenothera biennis. (500) OENO-7. Packet: $2.50
Ounce: $7.50
1/4 Pound: $15.00
'EVENING PRIMROSE'. Sweet-scented lemon yellow 1 - 2" flowers open in the evening. Hardy biennial or annual to 3 - 6 feet, with large rosettes of lance-shaped basal leaves. E. N. America. Zone 3. The thick roots are edible, with a sweet, parsnip/salsify flavor, harvested at the end of the first season. Young leaves and shoots eaten as a potherb, the flowers added to salads, the young pods eaten, and the seed oil is rich in GLA. Surface sow, to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks.
"The only possible alternative to being either the oppressed or the oppressor is voluntary cooperation..."—Errico Malatesta.
ORIGANUM (o-RI-ga-num)
LABIATAE. Easily grown annual and perennial herbs popular for kitchen seasoning and ornament. Best in full sun and warm, dry, well-drained soil. Sow on the surface to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks or so. Seed viable 3 - 5 years. Classification a bit confused.
—Origanum Majorana. (1000) ORIG-30. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $7.50
'SWEET MARJORAM'. Aromatic tender perennial to 2 feet. Tiny white or lilac flowers in summer. Zone 6. Much used in soups, stews, with meats, etc.
ORNITHOGALUM (or-ni-tho-GAL-um)
LILIACEAE. Widely distributed Eastern Hemisphere bulbs. The hardy kinds are fairly carefree and good for naturalizing and wild gardens. Tender species good in pots in the greenhouse or in California. As good as tulips and freesias in pots. Good cut flowers.
NEW—Ornithogalum fimbrimarginatum. (25) ORNI-14. Packet: $2.50
Starry white six-petaled lightly fragrant flowers in 18" tall or so, blooming in spring and summer. Bulb with broad flat leaves fringed with white down. South Africa. Zone 9. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
OSMARONIA (oz-ma-RO-nee-a)
ROSACEAE. A single species.
—Osmaronia cerasiformis. (=Oemleria cerasiformis). (30) OSMR-2. Packet: $2.50
'OSO BERRY', 'OREGON PLUM'. Fragrant white 1/3" flowers followed by blue-black 1/2" berries, edible when fully ripe. Shrub to 15 feet, with light green foliage. W. N. America. Zone 6. Best in the shade. Sow in fall or prechill 2 - 4 months.
"True social harmony grows naturally out of solidarity of interest..."—Emma Goldman.
PAEONIA (pe-O-nee-a)
PAEONIACEAE. Hardy and long-lived perennials or shrubs from thick roots. The species come true from seed and are interesting to grow, blooming in about 3 years. Any soil, but dig deeply. Herbaceous kinds bloom best in cold climates. Sow spring to fall, root germinates in 1 - 8 months, top growth emerges the next spring. Year-old seed often germinates best. Always hold pot over at least one year in a moist shady spot. Seed viable 3 - 4 years, giving good germination.
—Paeonia lutea var. Ludlowii. (5) PAEO-52. Packet: $5.00
50 seed: $20.00
100 seed: $30.00
Click for photo of seedlings »
'TIBETAN PEONY'. Golden yellow 3 - 5" wide flowers in May and June. Hardy shrub to 6 - 9 feet, with attractive divided leaves. Tibet. Zone 6. Sow in summer or fall, or give 1 - 3 months warm, then cold.
—Paeonia Mlokosewitschii. (10) PAEO-58. Packet: $3.50
'MOLLY THE WITCH' (a play on the name). Large clear yellow 4" bowl-shaped flowers in late spring. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with blue-green foliage with good Tall color. Caucasus. Zone 6.
PAPAVER (PA-pa-ver or pa-PA-ver)
PAPAVERACEAE. Widely distributed annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs. Well-known garden favorites with brilliant showy flowers and attractive pods. Easily grown but many resent transplanting. Most like hot, sunny, well-drained spots. Sow on the surface, often germinating best at cool (50 - 60°F) temperatures. GA-3 improves many. Seed viable 3 - 25 years. It has been said that no other plants have eased so much human suffering, or caused so much, as the poppies. Most germinate in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Papaver alpinum Mixed. (200) PAPA-2X. Packet: $3.00
'ALPINE POPPY'. Fragrant 1 - 2" flowers in bright shades of yellow, rose, orange, and white. Very hardy tufted perennial to 10", with finely divided lacy foliage. Alps. Zone 5. Germinates in 2 weeks.
—Papaver Argemone. (500) PAPA-8. Packet: $2.50
Gram $6.00
'PRICKLY POPPY'. Dainty scarlet 1 - 2" flowers in summer, with black spots at the petal bases, followed by prickly 3/4" long pods. Hardy annual to 1 1/2 feet, with ferny leaves. Mediterranean.
—Papaver dubium. (500) PAPA-15. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
'LONG-POD POPPY'. Red to rose 2" flowers with darker centers. Hardy annual to 2 feet, with pinnately divided leaves. Eurasia. Naturalizes well.
—Papaver orientale 'Beauty of Livermere'. (=P. bracteatum) (100) PAPA-30L. Packet: $2.50
Large, deep glowing crimson-red flowers. To 3 feet. Zone 3. Said to be a good choice for thebaine production. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Papaver orientale 'Formula Mix'. (1000) PAPA-30X. Packet: $2.50
A fine formula mixture. To 3 feet. Zone 3.
NEW—Papaver orientale 'Prince of Orange'. (100) PAPA-30PR. Packet: $2.50
Huge bright tangerine flowers up to 5" wide. Hardy perennial to 30". Zone 3.
—Papaver orientale 'Royal Wedding'. (100) PAPA-30RW. Packet: $3.50
Large pure white flowers with black centers, on a hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet. Zone 3. Absolutely stunning and choice! Also called 'Black and White'.
NEW—Papaver paeonyflorum 'Red Peony'. (250) PAPA-32RP. Packet:$2.50
1/4 Ounce: $7.50
Large fully double 4" red flowers. Hardy annual to 3 feet or so.
—Papaver paeonyflorum 'White Cloud'. (500) PAPA-32W. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $9.00
50 grams: $25.00
Click for photo »
Large double white flowers with round petals, some semi-double, and a few single white. Hardy annual to 3 feet, with large ornamental pods. Nice! Germinates in a week.
—Papaver Rhoeas 'Mother of Pearl'. PAPA-38MP. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $9.00
100 grams: $70.00
Pastel shades of mauve, pink, white, grey, and lilac, some edged or blended, with delicate traceries of darker veins. Originally developed by Sir Cedric Morris of Suffolk.
—Papaver Rhoeas 'Single Shirley Mixed'. (10,000) PAPA-38SX. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
1/4 Pound: $18.00
Single flowered types in a range of colors. To 30".
—Papaver setigerum 'Afghan Reselected'. (500) PAPA-43A. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00
100 grams: $75.00
Click for photo »
'AFGHAN POPPY'. A nice mix of forms, mostly a beautiful pink with white centers and laciniated petals. Some with round petals and gives some beautiful color variations like purple and scarlet. Nice! Annual to 3 feet. Originally from Afghanistan. I have reselected this to have a larger proportion of the better colors, and fewer pink. I hope you like it! A superior strain.
—Papaver setigerum 'Black Swan'. (750) PAPA-43BLS. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $6.00
100 grams: $30.00
Pictures:
https://secure.flickr.com/photos/billpusztai/7462271898/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/326450/
Fully double flowers with fringed petals, in deep purple with wine tinges. Nice! Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Papaver setigerum 'Danebrog'. (1000) PAPA-43DB. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $6.00
100 grams: $25.00
Click for photo »
'DANISH FLAG', 'DANISH CROSS'. This is the famous variety with large, single, pure brilliant scarlet 3 - 5" flowers with a pure white cross in the center, and with fringed-edged petals. Hardy annual to 2 1/2 - 5 feet. Absolutely one of the most stunning poppies, this is an antique variety over 100 years old. My favorite. Germinates in a week or two.
—Papaver setigerum 'The Giant'. (=Giganteum) (1000) PAPA-43G. Packet: $2.50
(about 2400 seed per gram)
10 grams: $10.00
100 grams: $60.00
Kilo: $450.00
Click for photo »
Specially-selected florist strain, developed for the huge pods used in dried arrangements. Large salmon-pink flowers with large purple and white cross. Hardy annual. Germinates in a week or so.
—Papaver setigerum 'Hen and Chickens'. (1000) PAPA-43HC. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $6.00 (about 9500 seed)
100 grams: $20.00
250 grams: $40.00
Click for photo »
Odd pods with a large central pod surrounded at the base by several tiny pods, the 'mother hen and her chicks'. Unusual in dried arrangements. Produces a good percentage of the hen-and-chicks type pods, with some regular-type pods. Large salmon-red flowers with purple cross. Annual to 3 - 5 feet. Germinates in 1 week.
—Papaver setigerum 'Lauren's Grape'. (500) PAPA-43L. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $7.50
100 grams: $50.00
Click for photo »
Large deep purple 4" flowers shading out to a lighter edge. Distinctive small round handsome pods. Hardy annual to 5 feet, with a large number of flowers per plant, and attractive, superior pods. Multiple flowers per plant - we've had over twenty on one plant. Seed needs a few weeks prechill, or sow in fall.
—Papaver setigerum 'Lilac Pompon'. (1000) PAPA-43LP. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $6.00
100 grams: $30.00
Picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/168533211028395317/
Large fully double flowers with fringed petals, in a nice lilac shade. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Papaver setigerum 'Midnight'. (2000) PAPA-43MI. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50
100 grams: $25.00
Deep purple-black single flowers. The blackest! Cool temperatures to germinate.
NEW—Papaver setigerum 'Monet's Poppy'. (500) PAPA-43M. Packet: $2.50
Click for photo »
Single pink-lavender flowers with a darker blotch. Sturdy plants to 4 feet tall, blooming in late June and early July. "I first collected seeds of this plant from the garbage pile at Monet's garden in Giverny, France in the late 1990s."—Aiello. Seed needs cold, prechill or sow in fall or very early spring.
—Papaver setigerum 'Pepperbox'. (1000) PAPA-43PB. Packet: $2.50
25 grams: $7.50
250 grams: $60.00
Click for photo »
Handsome large pods which open when ripe to shed the seed, providing a dual crop, edible seed plus pods for the dried flower market. Large white flowers with light purple cross. Annual to 3 - 5 feet with bristly stems. Germinates in 1 week.
NEW—Papaver setigerum 'Sissinghurst White'. (1000) PAPA-32SW. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $7.50
50 grams: $30.00
Large purest white single flowers. Originally found at Sissinghurst Castle. About as pure white as can be. Reaches 2 - 3 feet or so.
X PARDANCANDA
IRIDACEAE. Hybrid origin between Pardanthopsis and Belamcanda, developed and introduced by Park's Seed.
—Pardancanda Norrisi. (10) PARD-16. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'CANDYLILY'. Large 3" flowers in shades of yellow, red, and violet, with tiger stripes and spots. Iris-like plants to about 2 feet. Zone 5. Nice! Germinates in about 2 - 4 weeks.
PASSIFLORA (pass-i-FLO-ra)
PASSIFLORACEAE. Showy tropical tendril-climbing vines grown for the unusual flowers and often edible fruits. Good in the greenhouse. Best in a rich fibrous soil and given plenty of manure and water while growing. Warm temperatures and nicking the seed often helps germination. Often a day or so of 110 - 120°F may trigger germination.
NEW—Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa. (25) PASS-12F. Packet: $2.50
1/4 ounce: $7.50 Bulk out of stock, expected
Ounce: $25.00 Bulk out of stock, expected
'YELLOW GRANADILLA', 'YELLOW PASSIONFRUIT', 'LILIKOI'. Tender, vigorous climber to 30 feet. Flowers 2" across, white with a curly, white banded purple corona, produced all summer. Leaves deeply 3-lobed, glossy. Fruits yellow, 3" long, with orange flesh. Brazil. Grown more for the delicious fruit than the flowers. Good in beverages, sherbet, etc., and is high in vitamin C. Zone 8. Fruits best with two vines. Germinates in 1 - 16 weeks depending on temperature.
—Passiflora incarnata. (25) PASS-17. Packet: $3.00
1/4 Ounce: $15.00 (about 240 seed)
Ounce: $40.00 (about 960 seed)
'MAYPOPS', 'WILD PASSIONFLOWER'. Cream or yellowish 2" flowers with purple or pink corona. Yellow 2" edible fruits. Hardy perennial vine with 3-lobed leaves. Virginia to the Tropics. Cultivated by the Indians. The hardiest species, to Zone 5 or 6 if given a heavy mulch. Medicinal. Irregular germination. Give 8 - 12 weeks cold treatment.
—Passiflora mollissima. (10) PASS-29. Packet: $3.00
5 grams: $40.00
Click for photo »
'PINK BANANA PASSIONFRUIT'. Rampant evergreen climber, with soft green, deeply 3-lobed foliage. Pendant, long-tubed, 3" wide pink or rose flowers up to 5" long. Yellow 3" edible fruits. Andes. Zone 8. Extremely fast growing, good for quick cover. Germinates in 3 - 12 weeks.