Flower Seeds

Papaver rhoeas. Sow heirloom Flanders poppy seeds for bright red summer colour in nearly any soil. Flanders poppies are quite drought tolerant, so they are useful in xeriscaping schemes. They self sow fairly reliably without ever becoming weedy. It’s a good choice for any areas where grasses are allowed to grow tall in summer, with the poppies growing to around 60cm tall. Gather the dried seed heads in late summer for decorative dried flower arrangements. Plants produce abundant tiny seeds that are very easy to gather and give as gifts. This species is mildly toxic to grazing animals, but its acrid taste puts most animals off anyway. So it is a very useful deer resistant variety that looks spectacular when planted in large areas. Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start perennial poppies outdoors in early spring, when some chance of frost is still a possibility. Start annual varieties outdoors at the same time in Zones 3-7. In Zones 8-10, the best bet is to direct sow in the fall.

Poppies are famously difficult to transplant, so starting them indoors is not recommended. If absolutely necessary, use peat or coir pots, and maintain a soil temperature of 12°C. Seeds will sprout in 20-30 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow on the surface of the soil, or barely cover seeds. Thin to a minimum of 15cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing: 

Poppies are easy to grow and the self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. Simply pull up unwanted plants (an easy task) before they bloom, or better yet, let them tell you where they want to grow. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway. Other times, they simply won’t take, no matter how much you try. Keep them moderately well watered in hot, dry weather, and do not fertilize.

For the largest heads on Papaver somniferum: Sow seeds in the fall or early winter. Thin plants to allow them some space, and keep the area weeded as plants grow larger. Grow this variety in full sun in well-drained, but ordinary garden soil. If spring and summer are cool and damp, or plants are over-crowded, expect smaller seed heads.

Approx: 2000 Seeds.

Papaver rhoeas. Vivid red, pink, salmon, and white blooms come in singles and doubles atop 80cm (31″) stems. Sow Shirley Double Mix poppy seeds at two week intervals from late February to mid-April for flowers from mid- to late summer. These poppies will self sow, and they look spectacular in mass plantings. All parts of the plant are mildly toxic, and acrid enough that they avoid damage from grazing deer. The flowers have a very delicate appearance, but the plants are actually quite tough. If you sear the cut end right away with a match, these poppies will last quite a long time as cut flowers. Rely on Shirley Double to self sow without becoming weedy.

Eschscholzia californica. This is the true orange single California poppy, and the state flower of California. California Orange California poppy seeds are great in wild looking beds, the colour is intensified when grown near anything purple. Eschscholzia californica is a wildflower native to Mexico and California, where it is the state flower. It thrives in arid regions and is substantially drought tolerant so it is a very good choice for xeriscaping. This plant can eject the seeds from its dried seed pods a surprising distance, so they may self sow in favourable conditions. But it is not listed as a noxious weed, and is easily controlled if it seems to be getting out of hand. Its unusual Latin name is in honour of the German botanist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz.

Viola tricolor var. hortensis. The classic heirloom Swiss Giants Mix Pansy seeds blend has single colours with blotched faces and some bicolours, with flowers held high above the leaves. Technically a perennial, this plant is usually grown as a cold hardy annual that will bloom in mild climates from October through to May from a late summer sowing.  Swiss Giant Pansies grow to about 20cm (8″) tall, with a really beautiful range of warm colours and markings that seem to lend the flowers even more personality. This pansy blend works very well in containers and hanging baskets, but the real show is from mass plantings in a flower bed display.

Cosmos bipinnatus. Lovely, delicate Cosmos in a range of colours, from fuchsia to pink to white, that only grows to 90cm tall in full sun. This is a shorter version of the Sensation Mix, but not technically a dwarf variety. Mini Blend Cosmos seeds produce flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and wild pollinators. This blend looks fantastic on its own as a short growing meadow flower, and it is quite drought tolerant, so it’s useful in xeriscaping. They’re also pretty enough for gathering as cut flowers. Direct sow Cosmos seeds from April to early June and keep the mature plants deadheaded to prolong the blooming season until first frost.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow after the last frost date. Several sowings will result in a very long bloom period. Cosmos can also be started indoors in late winter for transplanting after last frost, once daytime temperatures are above 10°C. Seeds will sprout in 3-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 21-25°C.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds very shallowly only a few millimetres deep. Thin or transplant to 20-25cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Most varieties can get quite tall, and in exposed or windy gardens can benefit from staking or trellis netting laid horizontally over the bed for the stems to grow through before blooming. Deadhead and cut for bouquets regularly to extend the bloom period.

Approx: 160 Seeds.

Cleome hassleriana. Big clusters of light pink flowers with reddish highlights and very long stamens appear above erect stems with spirally arranged leaves. You might not even notice the plant until the first flowers open – like roman candles in the garden! The flowers are very exotic looking, with quite a unique structure. Plants from Spider Flower Cleome seeds grow as tall as 150cm, but usually a bit shorter on the coast. Spider Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and beneficial insects. This native of southern South America is too tall for most containers, but it sure looks good planted in small groups in the garden.  Annual.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors from 6-8 weeks prior to the last frost date for transplanting (or simply direct sow) 3-4 weeks after last frost. If direct sowing, consider repeating every two weeks into early summer for a longer bloom period. Seeds will sprout in 10-14 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow on the surface of the soil. If starting indoors, seeds benefit from vernalization: Place seeds on the surface of moistened, sterilized seed starting mix in pots, and place pots in zip-top plastic bags inside the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Then move pots to bottom heat and maintain soil temperature at 21-25°C until germination. Provide bright light.

How To Grow, Growing:  Cleome is quite an undemanding annual. The stems are usually very strong and upright, but might benefit from support in very windy, exposed gardens.

Approx: 495 Seeds.

Aquilegia x hybrida. All America Selections Winner. Tall, graceful and intricate, long spurred blossoms are perfect for cutting. Nodding and dainty, the huge 8cm wide blooms are held high above delicate foliage. This mix is marvelous in woodland plantings or any shady location. McKana’s Giant Mix Columbine seeds bloom mid-spring to early summer. White, cream, yellow, and red. Deadhead the seed pods before they open to control self-sowing. Or better yet, watch for them to open on the plants after they begin to dry out, and collect the seeds from the ornamental seed pods for planting around the garden or sharing with friends. Plant height 75cm.  Perennial.

How To Grow, Timing:  Direct sow in autumn or mid-winter. Seeds can be started indoors, but it’s more complicated: Sow seeds in flats of moistened, sterilized seed starting mix, and place these inside plastic bags in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Then sink the flats outdoors in the ground in a shady spot, and cover with glass. As seedlings appear, transplant them or pot them on. Germination takes 30-90 days.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow on the soil surface and transplant or thin seedlings to 30-50cm apart.

How To Grow, Growing:  Seedlings are easy to move, but delicate. Keep them out of strong sunlight, and water frequently, but gently. Deadhead regularly to prolong the blooming period. Columbine’s flowers are followed by distinctive seed pods that open on their own when the seeds are ripe. These can be removed to prevent self sowing, or for very easy harvest of the seeds. We like to harvest Columbine seeds mid-summer and spread them in any shady spot that could use some colour. Grow Columbine in humus-rich, moist, but well-drained soil.

Approx: 240 Seeds.

Frizzle Sizzle Raspberry is a unique frilly pansy in shades of burgundy and purple with striking yellow centers and white highlights. The ruffling of the edges is most pronounced in cool conditions. Eye-catching planted in strategically placed pots and borders.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 10-12 weeks before planting out. For spring planting after last frost, that means up to 3 months growing time indoors. Otherwise, sow direct outdoors in summer to early autumn. For winter-flowering pansies in Zones 7-9, start seeds in mid to late June. For V. odorata: Direct sow in autumn or early spring. This variety benefits from a long exposure to cool soil.

How To Grow, Starting:  Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C, in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm in the garden. For V. odorata: Barely cover the tiny seeds. Sow in flats sunk into the ground against a north-facing wall, and cover with glass or plastic. Remove cover when seedlings emerge. Germination can take up to 50 days, so be patient.

How To Grow, Growing:  After germination, violas are easy. Fertilize once or twice in early growth and provide a mulch around plants to keep roots cool as weather warms. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing, particularly with Johnny-Jump-Ups.
For V. odorata: Transplant after last frost or in the autumn where winters are mild, spacing at 15-30cm apart. Grow in partial shade, or in full sun where summers are cool. This variety prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Add well-rotted manure at transplant time.

Approx: 25 Seeds.

Frizzle Sizzle Lemonberry is a unique, frilly pansy in shades of yellow with striking purple splotches radiating from the center. The ruffling of the lavender edges is most pronounced in cool conditions. Eye-catching planted in strategically placed pots and borders.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 10-12 weeks before planting out. For spring planting after last frost, that means up to 3 months growing time indoors. Otherwise, sow direct outdoors in summer to early autumn. For winter-flowering pansies in Zones 7-9, start seeds in mid to late June. For V. odorata: Direct sow in autumn or early spring. This variety benefits from a long exposure to cool soil.

How To Grow, Starting:  Even though the seeds are tiny, they need to be sown 5mm deep. Keep the soil at 18-25°C, in complete darkness until they germinate in around 14 days. Then provide bright light to keep plants compact. Space at 15-23cm in the garden. For V. odorata: Barely cover the tiny seeds. Sow in flats sunk into the ground against a north-facing wall, and cover with glass or plastic. Remove cover when seedlings emerge. Germination can take up to 50 days, so be patient.

How To Grow, Growing:  After germination, violas are easy. Fertilize once or twice in early growth and provide a mulch around plants to keep roots cool as weather warms. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing, particularly with Johnny-Jump-Ups.
For V. odorata: Transplant after last frost or in the autumn where winters are mild, spacing at 15-30cm apart. Grow in partial shade, or in full sun where summers are cool. This variety prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Add well-rotted manure at transplant time.

Approx: 25 Seeds.

Low growing annual mounds of white flowers give off a rich honey perfume. Snow Cloth is great as living mulch and attractor of beneficial insects in the veggie garden. Ideal for edging, baskets, or pots. Shear plants after first flowering for a second bloom, as late as early October. Sow Snow Cloth Alyssum seeds in groups of 8 to 10 seeds for stronger effect. Do not cover. Plants grow to 15cm tall, but they tend to spread, so keep compact by growing in full sun.

Alyssum makes an excellent cover for weed suppression and for attracting beneficial insects. Tiny predatory wasp species are attracted by the small flowers, and will feed on caterpillars, aphids, and other pests.  Sow in all unused areas or between rows.

How To Grow, Timing:  Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Or, direct sow while some danger of light frost still exists. It’s very easy, either way.

How To Grow, Starting:  Sow seeds on the surface of the soil. If starting indoors, use a sterilized seed starting mix and maintain a soil temperature of 12-21°F under bright lights. The seeds require light to germinate, so do not cover them. They should sprout in 5-14 days.

How To Grow, Growing:  Ideal pH: 6.0-7.0.  Transplant 20-30cm apart once all risk of frost has passed. Alyssum prefers freely draining, loamy soil. It is tolerant of dry soil and hot weather, and can be used for xeriscaping. If watering is abundant, Alyssum responds by growing rapidly. If growth slows in mid-summer due to heat, shear plants back by half to encourage compact growth and a second bloom. This annual may self sow.

Papaver somniferum. Hungarian Blue poppies produce elegant purple flowers atop tall, strong stems. From flower bud to seed pod stages, they are highly ornamental, and grow to around 60cm (24″) tall. Save the dried seed pods for arrangements, and empty out the edible seeds for use in breads and spreads. The fleeting flowers only last a day or two, but they keep appearing over several weeks, and they look spectacular in mass plantings. Hungarian is highly attractive to bees, but resistant to grazing deer. Annual.

How To Grow, Timing: Start perennial poppies outdoors in early spring, when some chance of frost is still a possibility. Start annual varieties outdoors at the same time in Zones 3-7. In Zones 8-10, the best bet is to direct sow in the fall. Poppies are famously difficult to transplant, so starting them indoors is not recommended. If absolutely necessary, use peat or coir pots, and maintain a soil temperature of 12°C (55°F). Seeds will sprout in 20-30 days.

How To Grow, Starting: Sow on the surface of the soil, or barely cover seeds. Thin to a minimum of 15cm (6″) apart.

How To Grow, Growing: Poppies are easy to grow and the self-sow with abandon, without becoming weedy. Simply pull up unwanted plants (an easy task) before they bloom, or better yet, let them tell you where they want to grow. They will thrive for years at a time in surprising spots, like a crack in the driveway. Other times, they simply won’t take, no matter how much you try. Keep them moderately well watered in hot, dry weather, and do not fertilize. For the largest heads on Papaver somniferum, sow seeds in the fall or early winter. Thin plants to allow them some space, and keep the area weeded as plants grow larger. Grow this variety in full sun in well-drained, but ordinary garden soil. If spring and summer are cool and damp, or plants are over-crowded, expect smaller seed heads.

Approx. 570 seeds

This outstanding sunflower grows quickly and blooms early. The vigorous, multi branching plants are quickly covered with masses of cheerful flower faces whose perfectly formed, deep golden-orange petals are arranged evenly around rich chocolate colored center discs. Sundancer flowers so heavily that you can grow the 4 to 6 foot plants as a stunning blooming border or hedge and also enjoy armfuls as lovely cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements.
Seed Count: 32-35

Non GMO

ANNUAL

Summer/fall bloom
Frost tender

EASIEST TO PLANT OUTDOORS

Plant in full sun in good garden soil when weather is warm and settled, all danger of frost is past and both days and nights are evenly in the 10°C range. Poke seeds into well-worked soil about 1/2 in. deep, 4 to 5 in. apart. Press soil firmly over seeds and keep moist until seedlings emerge in 8 to 10 days.

Important: when seedlings are well-established, thin them to a final spacing of 1 foot apart so plants can grow sturdy stalks and big flowers. Extra seedlings can be transplanted easily.

TO START EARLY INDOORS

Several weeks before last frost date, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep in individual pots of well-drained seed starting mix. Keep moist and provide a strong light source until seedlings are well established and ready to plant outside. Transplant carefully, disturbing the roots as little as possible. Space seedlings 1 foot apart so plants will have room to grow and mature.

GROWING NOTES

These branching sunflowers with glorious rich golden-orange flower faces are easy and rewarding to grow. Make several sowings several weeks apart to have a succession of flowers in full bloom. Keep soil moist and well weeded and protect very young seedlings from birds with netting or plastic berry baskets, removing before plants get crowded.

This joyful mixture of Shirley poppies is selected for its beautiful flowers in entrancing color combinations that light up the spring garden. It includes both single and double blossoms, many with contrasting picotee edges, in a glowing array of colors including crimson, rose-red, white and peach. The 2 to 3 foot tall nodding flowers will shine in your spring garden with satiny blossoms that sway gracefully above frothy foliage.

Approx: 1600 Seeds.

Non GMO

ANNUAL

Spring/summer bloom
Frost hardy

BEST TO START DIRECTLY IN THE GARDEN

Sow seeds directly into a finely textured garden bed in full sun as early in spring as ground can be worked. To help space these small seeds, it’s helpful to mix them with dry sand before sowing. Cover very lightly with fine soil and keep seed bed moist as seedlings emerge over 10 to 21 days.

THIN OR TRANSPLANT

Poppies do not transplant well, so we advise sowing the seeds directly in the garden. For good garden performance, be sure to thin crowded seedlings early; final plant spacing should be 4 to 6 inches apart, so plants have room to grow, mature and bloom.

GROWING NOTES

Plant as early as possible in spring, as poppies can handle frost and bloom best and longest when plants get a good start in cool weather. In mild winter climates, you can also sow seed in late fall to form strong root systems and overwinter for earliest spring bloom. Weed and water young seedlings carefully. Mature plants can handle dry conditions but appreciate regular water in hot summer locations. Poppies make good cut flowers if cut just as buds begin to open. Allow spent flowers to form pods and drop seed if you want flowers to self-sow for next season’s bloom.