Seeds

Lobularia maritima ‘Royal Carpet.’ This heirloom AAS winner produces a low-growing carpet of lovely, mauve, scented flowers that stays only 5-10cm (2-4″) tall. Sow Dwarf Purple Alyssum seeds around the edge of veggie beds to improve pollination, or sprinkle them between cracks and paving stones to fill in with a moss-like appearance, followed by scores of tiny purple flowers. This Alyssum works well in containers and window boxes. It has a spreading habit, so is useful as a plant to fill in spaces between others. It is attractive to both pollinators and beneficial insects, making it generally useful to have in the garden.

Gilia tricolor. Height to 30-45cm (12-18″). Bird’s Eyes Gilia seeds are a charming California native wildflower that blooms from spring to mid-summer, producing long-lasting stems of chocolate-scented blue flowers with dark centres. These rise above the ferny foliage and open in sunshine, but close on cloudy days. This easy to grow, nectar-rich annual is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It will grow in any sandy, well-drained soil and is suitable for xeriscaping. Suitable for Zones 6 to 10, with a preference for milder weather. Bird’s Eyes Gilia seeds will work well in patio containers. In windy areas, give the plants a little support by pushing some twigs into the soil around them.

Lathyrus odoratus. Unlike Mammoth, Supersnoop Mix sweet pea seeds produce a compact dwarf variety that is well suited to tubs, containers, and the front of the flower bed. It is an improved Snoopea type that blooms early in a wide range of colours. The plants have no tendrils, so they stay low and compact at 45-60cm (18-24″) tall. Supersnoop produces flowers that are showy and mildly fragrant and well suited for cut flowers. Supersnoop are great for market growers for bundles of cut flowers. Direct sow sweet pea seeds between March and May at regular intervals to prolong the bloom period. Be sure to pick any seed pods that appear so the flowers keep coming.

Lathyrus odoratus. The beauty of this bicolour heirloom variety has kept it in cultivation since the 1730s. Painted Lady sweet pea seeds are one of the original cultivars from the Cupani strain. Growing 1.5-2m (5-6′) tall, it has exquisite, highly scented pink and white petals on long stems for cutting. These Ladies prefer cooler weather, so try planting them in early spring, while there is still a risk of frost at night. And plan to provide the support of a trellis, flower net, or other structure so the long climbing vines have something to hold onto as the grow.

Add some diversity to your sunflower patch with these rich burgundy blooms. surrounding nearly black centers. Moulin Rouge’s large 6” pollenless flowers look amazing in bouquets or displayed on their own. Branching plants have slim stems, growing to 120- 180cm (4-6’).

Peredovik Organic sunflower seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! This heirloom cultivar produces the black oil seed used for making sunflower oil and is the very top choice for feeding birds. Plants average one big head with few side branches. The birds will tell you when the small, oil-rich seeds are ripe! Black oil sunflower seeds for organic growing. Plant this Russian heirloom organic sunflower seed in and around your squash and pumpkin plants to lure pollinators to the area and you will get increased fruit set and larger harvests. Peredovik grows to a height of 1.5-2m (5-6′).

Helianthus annuus. Lemon Queen Organic sunflower seeds are CERTIFIED ORGANIC! Lemon Queen is a wonderful, medium tall sunflower with brilliant light lemon yellow flowers that are typically 10-13cm (5-6″) wide. with chocolate brown centers. This sunflower develops numerous branches, and each bears multiple flowers. Grow some for cut flowers and enjoy the bright colour indoors. Lemon Queen grows to about 1.8-2m (6-7′) tall. Direct sow sunflower seeds in full sun in well drained soil once it warms up from April to June. Plant more seeds at three week intervals for a much longer bloom period. This sunflower begins flowering about 90 days after sowing.

Unique azalea type snapdragon with ruffled, double-petaled blooms. Cut Madame Butterfly’s tall spikes of rose and coral hued flowers for full displays with an antique look. Harvest when the lower 1/3 of flowers on the stem are open. 66-89cm (26-35”) plants can be grown in a greenhouse or in the open field and garden.

Papaver nudicaule. The Iceland Poppy is a hardy, but short-lived perennial, grown as a biennial in Coastal gardens. Either way, they self sow readily, so will last for years at a time. The large, cup shaped blooms have a texture like crepe paper and appear in a range of subdued pastel colours – apricot, gold, tangerine, and white. Sow Iceland Poppy seeds in early spring or late fall where they are to grow permanently. The flower stalks grow to around 30c (12″) tall, and are among the longest-lasting poppies as cut flowers. They are highly attractive to honeybees and bumblebees, with seeds that are easy to collect and disperse. Unlike the California Poppy, this variety usually remains where it was planted. All parts of the plant are mildly toxic, but acrid enough that animals will not eat them.

Tagetes patula. Brocade Marigold seeds produce brilliant 5cm (2″) wide flowers in gold to mahogany atop 30-38cm (12-15″) plants. This is a medium height marigold that works well in large containers. Grow in full sun and deadhead regularly to enjoy flowers from May to heavy frost. The plants are drought resistant, so a good candidate for xeriscaping. The flower petals are edible, and can be dried and ground to use as a replacement for saffron. The essential oils of this marigold have apparent anti-fungal properties, and have been used to fight fungal infections on plants. Brocade is a cultivar of T. patula, which is native to the highlands of central Mexico. It’s a very easy flower to grow from seed.

Alcea rosea. Sow Indian Spring hollyhocks seeds in full sun. This is a selection of our most popular Hollyhocks seeds, blended for planting en masse to create a beautiful cottage garden. Tall spires grow to 2m (6′) or more, with single, double, and ruffled flowers that fill in empty garden spaces with blooms in rose, pink, white, chocolate, purple, and lavender. This blend looks sensational from late spring to frost. Hollyhocks are both tall and drought tolerant, so they are a nice choice for xeriscaping. Avoid overhead watering with hollyhocks in order to delay foliar diseases, including rust and powdery mildew. These are not uncommon problems for hollyhocks, but rarely make much impact.

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 (60″), 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

Dwarf Pacific type delphinium perfect for small gardens. Magic Fountains attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with fantastic displays of semidouble pink, blue, lavender, and white flower spikes with dark and light “bees”, or centers. Compact plants do not need staking but should be sheltered from strong winds. Perennial plants grow 90-120cm (36-48″) tall.

Upright bronze plumes are the perfect filler for fall bouquets. Hot Biscuits is an easy-to-grow amaranth, growing 105-120cm (42-48″) tall through the summer. These heat loving plants produce for an extended harvest when branching is induced by pinching the central bud. 60 cm (24”) blooms look gorgeous in both fresh and dried arrangements.

Commonly known as heartleaf mallee, Heart Leaf Websteriana is a small tree endemic to Western Australia. It features distinctive heart-shaped leaves with reddish-brown bark on the trunk. The unique, aromatic foliage is used for fresh and dried bouquets or garden accents. Grow in large containers that can be moved indoors during the winter. or provide protection from frost. Hardiness zones 9-11.

Germination Note: Eucalyptus seeds take about 21 days to sprout at 18–24°C (65–75°F). They require patience and precise conditions, making them best for experienced growers.

Commonly known as silver dollar gum, Red Box Polyanthemos is popularly used as a filler in fresh and dried arrangements. Native to Eastern Australia, aromatic leaves are green to blue-grey on both sides. Plant in large containers that can be moved indoors during the winter, or provide protection from frost if plants remain outdoors. Hardiness zones 9-11.

Germination Note: Eucalyptus seeds take about 21 days to sprout at 18–24°C (65–75°F). They require patience and precise conditions, making them best for experienced growers.

Rudbeckia hirta. We did a double take when we saw this remarkable Rudbeckia during the summer flower trials. Large and very attractive bronze and chocolate coloured blooms appear over a very long flowering period from mid summer to frost. Cappuccino Rudbeckia seeds are an excellent garden performer with huge, richly coloured flowers to 10cm (4″) across covering plants growing to 45-50cm (18-20″) tall. This Rudbeckia would work well in a half-barrel or other large containers, and it looks sensational in big plantings. Impressive, low maintenance, and drought tolerant for xeriscaping. Deadhead spent flowers for a longer display. In very mild conditions, this plant may survive to bloom a second, or even third year. We treat it as an annual.

Lobelia erinus. Vivid navy blue flowers adorn this tiny, trailing Lobelia, making it ideal for stuffing between other plants as a ground cover. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Grow Regatta Midnight Blue Lobelia seeds in window boxes or hanging baskets, and allow it to cascade over the edges of any container. In moist soil it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. This trailing Lobelia looks fabulous with Alyssum, and fills in empty corners really well. Sow the tiny, dust-like seeds on the surface of moist soil, and do not transplant outside until night time temperatures are well above 10°C (50°F). Regatta Midnight Blue is a recipient of the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

Viola cornuta. We loved this petite pansy as soon as it bloomed, and it bloomed in the first year, over a long period. Just 14 to 16 weeks after seeding, its small, very dark, and flat-faced flowers began to appear. With regular deadheading Back to Black just blooms and blooms. The foliar growth is vigorous, but the stature of the plants remains compact at about 15cm (6″) tall. It would look great in containers or window boxes, but it takes on a wonderful appearance in mass plantings. The flowers are actually very deep purple, but so deep that they appear black from a few feet away. Each delicate flower is streaked in the centre by a brush of golden yellow. The edible flower petals look amazing scattered on ice cream. Sow in early spring for summer flowers, or as late as July for winter blooms. It’s hardy in Zones 5 to 9.