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.
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.
Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) Perennial. Zones 3-9. This is one of my favorite culinary herbs. It's mild garlic flavor goes well in salads, dressings, in mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, and I like to use it in stir fry. It grows to about 2' and bears umbels of white flowers and has flat, strap like leaves. It produces seed but I don't think I've ever had it seed in my zone 5 garden. It will produce by clump the way regular chives does. It needs full sun, somewhat fertile, well drained soil, and water when dry.
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Blue eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium ). Perennial. Zones 3-10. I love this dainty little wild iris. It only grows to the height of 8-10" and is often hiding amongst real grass. The only time you have an opportunity to see it is when it is blossoming and the pretty blue catches your eye. It blooms from May to June and is a native of Eastern America from Canada down to the gulf coast. Blue eyed grass needs full to part sun. It prefers well drained soil but I've seen it growing in clay and the soil was quite moist. It spreads by seed. It looks fantastic in gardens because it is no longer hiding in the grass and the clumps will get quite large because there isn't any competition for light, food, or water. Will seed itself so don't dead head the spent blooms. 100 seeds
Germination is moderately easy. The seed needs a 2 month cold, moist stratification period easily gotten in the fridge or sown outdoors in the fall in the place they are to grow. Instructions will come with the seed.
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Leaf celery (Apium graveolens scalinum) Annual. This is a very pleasant culinary herb that is very useful in the kitchen. It is great for a kitchen garden out the back door so you can run out and clip leaves as you need them. This is a celery, but it doesn't grow big stalks, just leaves which are very flavorful. It can be grown on a sunny windowsill in the winter for easy clipping It likes well drained, fertile soil, and full sun. It grows to 12 " or so. Great for soup,stew, and summer salads.
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.
