Featured plant: Arnica

Arnica (Arnica chamissionis). Perennial, Zones 5-8. This is the American arnica and it is more tolerant of soil pH than the European species. It is considered just as medicinally active. Traditionally, this herb's pretty yellow flowers are made into oils and salves and applied to bruises to help them heal. When I worked in a health food store, we sold lots of Arnica cream and gel to people who used it for their arthritis and muscle aches. One thing for sure, DO NOT CONSUME THIS HERB OR TAKE INTERNALLY IN ANY FASHION...IT DESTROYS THE LIVER AND OTHER INTERNAL ORGANS. It should only be used externally and only on unbroken skin. The plant needs full sun, acidic soil, water when dry. It can be propagated by seed or root. Do not overwater this plant or situate it in a a poorly drained spot. It doesn't recover easily or well from the root damage. It grows to about 2' when in flower and will spread freely if happy. Harvest blossoms when they are fully open. soil. 100 seeds

Seed does require a cold moist period easily gotten by sowing in the fall or putting in the fridge. Instructions come with the seeds. 

Any reference to medicinal uses are either from my experience, what customers tell me, or what I have read and should not be thought to be a diagnosis or prescription. I am not a doctor or pharmacist and a medical professional should be consulted any time herbs are used. Buyer assumes all responsibility for how these seeds or plants are used.

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Featured plant: Weeping Fig

Weeping Fig(Ficus benjamina). Perennial, in all but tropical areas, must be grown indoors.  Often used in shopping malls because of its tolerance to low light and humidity, it is a perfect houseplant. It likes moderate to good light, which includes some sunlight. It can also take some shade. It needs moderate water in the summer and only enough to keep it from drying out in the winter. If the amount of light changes, as in it is moved to a darker area, it will drop all of its leaves and regrow new ones. When it does this, it is a little disturbing, but it will recover. For the best growth, fertilize regularly. 

What is offered is 100 seeds. Germination instructions will accompany the seed. NOTE: germination is often erratic and can be lengthy.

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Featured plant: lavender

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia). Perennial, Zones 5-8. It is said that the scent of lavender is the most popular scent in the world. It is one of the few scents that the majority of men like and it is found in a lot of shaving and soap products. As far as growing it goes, it helps to remember it is a Mediterranean plant. Hot dry summers, cool but not too wet winters. In fact, dry is a key to growing this plant. It must be in well drained soil. If you can not provide that, it needs to be grown in a pot. Another requirement for winter hardiness is that it be protected from cold wind. This sounds difficult if you are from some place where winter is on the vicious side, but micro-climates can be found or created. I had a lot of success growing it on the east side of the house, next to the foundation, and it was under the peak of the roof so no rain run off. Snow piled on it also helps. Still expect some winter kill on the branches, but the plant usually survives. The last requirement for growing lavender successfully is to make sure the soil is alkaline. Add lime. Planting it next to the house foundation if it is cement also helps. Lime leaches from the foundation. OK, now that I've mentioned all that, on to the plant itself. It prefers full sun, well drained soil, water when dry, but it can stand some drought. Clip out the winter killed branches in the spring after it has started to leaf out so you know which ones are dead and thoroughly enjoy the flowers when they come. Pick when a few flowers have opened on the stalk, tie into bunches and hang in an airy warm place out of the sun to dry. Will grow to 3' and tend to sprawl (from the weight of snow). Becomes woody with age.
NOTE: lavender has a naturally low germination percentage, around 40%. It can be improved and unified by at least a week of freezing temperatures. Easily gotten in the fridge. Instructions will come with the seed.

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Featured plant: Blue Pimpernel

Blue Pimpernel. (Anagalis monelii).  Annual. A somewhat sprawling habit with vivid blue flowers. The flowers close when the weather is cloudy and has the reputation of being able to predict the weather because of it. Adds bright, bold color to the front of the border. Grows to about 4" tall whilst sprawling. Needs full sun, water when dry, and fertile well drained soil.

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Featured plant: Blue sage

Blue sage. (Salvia farinacea).  Perennial. Zones 7-11. Grows to 3' in bloom. It is found growing wild in Texas where it is a perennial. I've grown it in my zone 5 garden but I've had to start the seed in the house in January to have blooms the same year. The spikes are a pleasant blue. It prefers full sun, well drained soil, and can tolerate some drought. It can not tolerate water logged conditions.

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Featured plant: California Bluebells

California blue bell. (Phacelia campanularia). Annual. Easy to grow if one observes it does not like to be moved so sowing in the place it is to grow is necessary. May be sown outdoors in the early spring. It grows to 8" and blooms and blooms. It will seed itself and spread. It is drought tolerant and prefers full sun, well drained soil, and occasional water when it is dry for a long period of time. It can not tolerate wetness. If there is a lot of rain or poorly drained soil, it will appear to melt.

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Featured plant: California poppy

California poppy. (Eschscholzia californica). Annual. Easy to grow if one observes it does not like to be moved so sowing in the place it is to grow is necessary. May be sown outdoors in the fall for spring germination. It grows to 2' and blooms and blooms. It will seed itself and spread. It is drought tolerant and prefers full sun, well drained soil, and occasional water when it is dry for a long period of time.

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Featured plant: baby's breath, annual

Baby's breath. (Gypsophila elegans 'Convent Garden').  This annual is easy to grow and so pretty in the garden and in bouquets.  It blooms six weeks from planting.  It prefers full sun, good, well drained soil, and water when dry.  Keeping the flowers cut or dead headed keeps them blooming all season.

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Featured plant: Tassel flower, orange, annual

Tassel flower (Emilia javanica) Annual. All zones. I think this the specific name is janvanica, I'm not sure, it could be coccinea. Anyway, it is a very pretty annual. It grows to about 3' and bears either red or orange blooms on long stalks. I like to put these amongst other plants so that the blossoms appear randomly throughout the other flowers. It adds a nice surprise of color. The seeds offered here are orange. I'm not sure if red can come from orange seeds, but the flowers I took them from were orange. Full sun, water when dry, and fertile soil. 

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Featured plant: toadflax, blue, baby snapdragon

Toadflax, baby snapdragon (Linaria sp.) Perennial. Zones 5-10. This is a tall growing plant, about 3'. It bears spikes of  lavender blue flowers in early to mid summer. The flowers look like little snapdragons. The picture shows them in full bloom, they are leaning out over the sidewalk. These are growing in part sun but I believe they prefer full sun. They like regular water. Well drained, fertile soil is best.

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Featured plant: elecampane

Elecampane (Inula helenium) Perennial. Zones 3-8. The roots of this plant were once candied as a confection and it is said to be a favorite of Helen of Troy. It is tall growing, 3-4' with large leaves and very pretty yellow flowers. It can be seen growing wild in untended meadows. Medicinally it is used to quiet coughing and to aid digestion. Elecampane is also used to produce yellow and orange dyes, which color depends on the mordants used. I just like it because it is pretty and looks good at the back of the border. It needs full sun, but will grow in part sun, water when dry, though it can tolerate some drought, and will grow in crappy soil but does best in good soil. 

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Featured plant: yarrow, pink

Yarrow, pink ( Achillea millefolium)  Perennial. This is a pretty medicinal herb that will flower in it's second year. Ferny foliage is attractive with or without flowers. The flowers are carried in a flat umbel and it flowers around early to mid-summer. It is perennial in Zones 3-7. This herb is superb for stopping bleeding. It was carried by the medics in Achilles army to staunch the bleeding from battle wounds. I can vouch for it's efficacy. Whenever I cut myself in the garden, I go to the yarrow, pull off a couple of leaves, pop 'em in my mouth to chew them to a macerated mass and put the lot on my cut. Within seconds the bleeding stops. I've even had it work for wounds that most likely required stitches. I wouldn't recommend not getting medical attention for wounds or to use this in place of cleaning a wound out and bandaging, but it sure does work to stop bleeding and when one is away from proper soap and water or antiseptic, I found it a good quick remedy. This plant likes full sun, will do ok in poor soils but does best in good soil with adequate water. It can tolerate a bit of drought if it is established. It will grow to 3' if happy, 2' if stressed.  Will spread by root and seed, but slowly.

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Featured plant: baby toes sedum

Baby Toes sedum. Perennial. Zones 3-8. This is a lovely low growing ground cover that spreads quite a lot. It grows to about 3" high and has fat, succulent leaves. It can withstand hot, dry conditions. It needs full sun to do its best.

 

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Featured plant: Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis).Annual. Full to part sun and it will grow to 3' if it has adequate water and good soil. It bears bright yellow or orange flowers. For healing, the blossoms are soaked in oil and either used like that or made into salves and ointments on skin irritations and conditions. A tea made of the blossoms is used as a rinse for blond hair to make it brighter. The petals are edible and may be sprinkled on salads to give it color. The main use it has is to be pretty in the garden. Will seed itself in all but the coldest zones (colder than Zone 4). 

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Featured plant: mugwort

Mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris) plants. Mugwort is a perennial in Zones 4-10. It can become invasive if allowed to go to seed. This herb is known for stuffing pillows to help you sleep and have good dreams. It's bitter and it is used to improve the digestion after consuming much fatty meat. It's also used in Asian medicine as moxibustion. It grows to 5' or so and is best at the back of the border. It can seed itself and the clumps get bigger. It does bear small, round silverish flowers that feature yellow pollen. The blooms are interesting, but not spectacular in size, color, or fragrance. It can be cut back just after flowering to prevent rampant seed spread. It will grow best in full sun and ok in part sun. The clumps can be divided to provide more mature plants, but it will do a fine job of seeding itself. It isn't fussy about soil and requires water when too dry. Zones 4-10.

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Featured plant: blue flax

Blue flax (Linum lewisii). Short lived Perennial. Zone 3-9. This native plant grows between 12-18" ' and does best in well drained soil with no sogginess. It tolerates drought but does best with water when dry. It prefers full sun and will tolerate poor soil. Will freely self seed and if you do not want rampant spread, dead head the spent flowers. I sowed seeds in groups of a dozen plants and it made a very attractive clump. It just keeps on flowering and flowering. One of the most satisfying plants I have. Pale blue and oh so floriforous.

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Featured plant: alpine catchfly

Alpine Catchfly (Lychnis alpina) Perennial. Zones 5-8. This is a cute alpine flower. It is great for the front of the border or in rock gardens. I particularly like it grown in front of sunny rock walls. Needs full sun, well drained soil, and water when dry. 

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Featured plant: Siberian Iris

Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) Zones 4-9. This is one of the toughest plants. Provide it with full sun, water when dry (detests wet conditions) and a feed once in a while and you will have dependable vibrant blue purple blooms. The picture just does not capture the true color which is more of a blue purple, velvety and deep. Will spread and the clumps can be divided for more plants to spread around and share. Grows 24-36".

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Featured plant: Wild monarda, bee balm, bergamot

Wild monarda/bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Perennial. Zone 3-9. This is one of our prettiest native wild flowers. It grows wild in the northeast in moist/wet areas. It is a relative of the showier red bee balm/bergamot/monarda and is just as attractive to hummingbirds. This type of monarda has somewhat of an oregano scent and taste and can be used for tea or to flavor meat. It grows to 3' in full sun, fertile, moist soil. It bears it's blooms mid-summer and makes an attractive mid-border plant in a cottage garden. It will spread like other monarda and the mints it is related to, by sending out stolons. It makes the clump larger every year and it can be divided. It will grow in part sun, but is more prone to powdery mildew in a shady location. If powdery mildew develops, either spray the plants with 1/2 water 1/2 whole milk or use neem oil prepared according to the package instructions.

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Featured plant: False Sunflower, Heliopsis

False sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) Perennial. Zones 2-9. This very hardy native plant grows to about 4' and can form massive clumps which should be divided every 3-5 years. It starts blooming in early summer and continues straight through until fall. If it is kept dead headed, it greatly promotes lenghthy bloom time. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and it makes a great cut flower. It is tolerant of many soil types, likes regular water, and does best in full sun. Germination is relatively easy and I will provide instructions with the seeds.

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Morning Glory(Ipomoea purpurea). Annual. Morning glories are an old fashioned plant often seen twining their way around mail boxes, fence posts, or up trellis by a porch. They can grow to 10' and they open their funnel shaped flowers in the morning. After about 12, they start to fade, hence the name: morning glory. In the fall, when the weather is cooler, they often do not fade until late in the day. They prefer full sun, water when dry, and will re-seed themselves. The seed offered will produce the purple morning glory seen in the picture. Best sown in the place they are to grow as they resent root disturbance. The seed does need to be nicked and soaked over night in warm water before sowing for best results.

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Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) Perennial. Zones 3-8. This is one of those staples for every garden. It grows in full to part sun and can tolerate quite a bit of shade if it gets a little sun. In hot climates, it needs to be planted in part sun to shade as it comes from cooler northern European regions. It also needs to be kept well watered. The foliage can grow to 18" and the large leaves often have droplets of water at the edges. The genus name alludes to a supposed property of using the water that collects in the center of the leaves to turn lead into gold. Lady's mantle refers to the fact that the leaves look like a pleated cloak. It has been used medicinally for female problems, used as an astringent for wounds and the roots are edible. Cattle and sheep will eat the foliage. I just like it for it's nice leaves and airy sprays of yellow flowers that last well on the plant and can be dried. Wll do ok in most soils and should be watered when dry. Can profusely seed itself. Take the little seedlings and plant them elsewhere or let it all become a nice patch.

Germination requires a warm period, cold period, and back to warm and I will provide instructions with the seeds. 

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Featured plant: Feverfew

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium.). Perennial. Zones 5-9. This is a very pretty daisy like plant. It grows to 28" or so and if cut back after it's early summer bloom, it will often re-bloom. I find it to be more of a short lived perennial than one that reliable comes back again and again for 10 years or more. But it does profusely seed itself if allowed to. I consider it one of the staple "granny" plants. One that you can find in many grandmother's gardens from yesteryear. It's daisy like blooms and light green cut leaf foliage adds contrast to the border. Feverfew is used medicinally. From what I've read, it has been used to treat migraine headache, arthritiis, other inflammatory ailments (works like asprin), and is useful as an antihistamine. Also, it is best to grow it yourself as processed feverfew rapidly degrades and becomes useless. This plant needs full sun, water when dry, and will tolerate all but concrete and bog soil conditions. It will sometimes come double and tetraploid. 50 seeds.

Any reference to medicinal uses are either from my experience, what customers tell me, or what I have read and should not be thought to be a diagnosis or prescription. I am not a doctor or pharmacist and a medical professional should be consulted any time herbs are used. Buyer assumes all responsibility for how these seeds or plants are used.

 

Buy plants and seeds here!