ULMACEAE. Elegant, fast-growing, elm-like mostly deciduous trees & shrubs good as shade trees, lawn specimens and for wildlife habitat. Stands wind, drought, heat, alkaline soil, and almost pest free. Some germinate readily, others may take up to 2 years of outdoor treatment.
—Celtis australis. (d,v) CELT-7. Packet: $2.00
Ounce: $6.00
'HONEYBERRY', 'LOTE TREE', 'EUROPEAN HACKBERRY'. Large tree to 60 - 80 feet, with greyish green 3 - 6" leaves. Mediterranean to Central Asia. The cherry-sized dark purple fruits are sweet and edible, much eaten in Spain, Greece and Iran. A fine shade tree, good in California and the South.
CENTAUREA (sen-ta-REE-a)
COMPOSITAE. 'CORNFLOWER', 'BACHELOR'S BUTTONS'. A large genus of annuals and perennials, including many old garden favorites, grown for their flowers and foliage. Easily grown from seed in light, well-drained soil in full sun. Rich soil will reduce the number of blooms. Sow annuals where they are to stand in September or March, or early indoors. Biennials and perennials any time from January to September. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks at warm temperatures. Sow 1/4" deep as darkness may help germination. Seed viable 5 - 10 years.
Centaurea Cyanus Varieties:
'CORNFLOWER', 'BACHELOR'S BUTTONS'. A favorite garden flower, it is a branching hardy annual to 1 - 3 feet, with large 1 1/2" flowers in a variety of colors. Narrow 6" leaves. Excellent cut flowers. "One of the most popular of garden flowers."—L. H. Bailey, 1906. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
"On Centaurea Cyanus 'Tall Blue Boy' and C. americana 'Jolly Joker' advise that these should be sown thinly, because the germination rate is astounding, and their vivid colors make these stand out beautifully in the border. 'Blue Boy' is especially striking when paired with Dusty Miller 'Silverdust'."—C. Malanowski, South Carolina, 6/2001.
—Centaurea Cyanus Dwarf Jubilee Gem. (b,h) CENT-1D. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 95% Tested: 8/09, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
Blue flowers. To 1 1/2 feet. Good for naturalizing.
—Centaurea Cyanus Tall Blue Boy. (b,h) CENT-1T. Packet: $1.50
Germination: 87% Tested: 8/09, Oz: $5.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
Blue flowers. To 2 1/2 feet. Good for naturalizing.
—Centaurea Cyanus Black Ball. (b,g) CENT-1BB. Packet: $2.50
Dark flowers on a nice annual to 3 feet. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Centaurea Cyanus Red Boy. (b,g) CENT-1RB. Packet: $2.50
Bright ruby red flowers on a nice annual to 3 feet.
—Centaurea Cyanus Emperor William. (b,h) CENT-1E. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 76% Tested: 12/09, 25 grams $7.50, 100 grams: $20.00 (NEW PRICE)
'CORNFLOWER'. Clear, dark, marine blue flowers. This variety is the last of the old, tall, single flowered varieties in existence. It is the closest to the wild plant. Hardy annual to 3 feet. One of the best. Long blooming, unlike the modern types. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Centaurea Cyanus True Wild Form. (b,h) CENT-1W. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 7/09, 10 Grams: $10.00
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'CORNFLOWER', 'WITCHES' BELLS'. Beautiful blue flowers from July to September on a hardy annual to 1 - 3 feet, with cottony foliage. Europe. This is the rare true wild ancestor of the common bachelor's buttons. Lovely and worth growing. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks, sometimes with dormancy.
Other Centaurea Species:
NEW—Centaurea Jacea. (c,h) CENT-32. Packet: $2.50
'RADIANT CORNFLOWER'. Rosy-purple 1 1/2" flowers. Europe, Himalayas, & N. America. Medicinal, used for bruises. Perennial. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Centaurea macrocephala. (c,h) CENT-38. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 92% Tested: 8/09, 1/4 Oz: $6.00, Oz: $16.00
'GLOBE CORNFLOWER'. Huge golden yellow egg-shaped flowers up to 4" across. Hardy perennial to 3 feet. Armenia. Zone 3. Excellent, long-lasting cut-flowers. Dries well. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Centaurea nigra. (c,h) CENT-52. Packet: $2.50
'BLACK CORNFLOWER', 'SPANISH BUTTONS'. Purple 1 1/2" flowers from black buds. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, with 6" leaves, blooming June to August. Europe. Germinates in 1 - 12 weeks warm.
NEW—Centaurea phrygia. (c,g) CENT-60. Packet: $2.50
Purple 2" wide flowers in summer, on a hardy perennial to 2 - 4 feet, with 6" basal leaves. Europe. The flower buds have long appendages, and have been described as "wig-like" of all peculiar things. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks, some dormant.
CENTAURIUM (sen-TAR-ee-um)
GENTIANACEAE. Attractive small hardy annuals and perennials with red or pink flowers. Charming plants for edging, and good in tire rock garden. Light sandy soil and part shade. Sow the minute seed on the soil surface.
NEW—Centaurium Erythraea. (=C. umbellatum, =Erythraea centaurium) (c,h) CENU-12. Packet: $2.50
'TRUE CENTAURY'. Numerous pink flowers borne on a small annual to 6 - 20" tall. Europe. The herb is an old bitter remedy and formerly held a wide reputation in folk medicine. A valuable plant. Sow on the surface to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
CENTRANTHUS (ken-TRAN-thus)
VALERIANACEAE. Attractive, hardy, old-fashioned annuals and perennials grown for their dense heads of showy flowers. Easily grown in most soils in full sun, but standing part shade well. Excellent for naturalizing. Sow seed in March or April. Barely cover, germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at cool temperatures. Space 6 - 12" apart. Seed viable 4 years.
—Centranthus ruber Coccineus. (b,h) CENS-4R. Packet: $2.50
10 grams $22.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'JUPITER'S BEARD', 'RED VALERIAN', 'PRETTY BETSY', 'DRUNKEN SAILOR'. Dense clusters of fragrant red flowers in early summer. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with bluish green 4" leaves. Eurasia. Good cut flower, attracts butterflies. Self-sows and stands poor dry soil. Good on rocky slopes and walls. The leaves are eaten in salads in Italy, and are said to be exceedingly good, and the roots were used in French soups. "Hard to beat for long showy bloom in difficult situations."—Sunset.
CEPHALARIA (se-fa-LA-ree-a)
DIPSACEAE. Easily grown annuals and perennials resembling Scabiosa. Striking summer bloom. Good for cut flowers. They do well in heavy soils, and stand up to wind and rain.
—Cephalaria gigantea. (d,g) CEPH-10. Packet: $2.50
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'GOLDEN SCALEHEAD', 'GIANT YELLOW SCABIOSE'. Giant herb to 6 - 10 feet, with sulfur-yellow 2" flower heads on 2 - 3 foot stems, June & July. Pinnately divided leaves. Caucasus. Full sun. Zone 4 or more. Highly ornamental and striking. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks warm.
CERASTIUM (se-RAS-tee-um)
CARYOPHYLLACEAE. 'MOUSE EAR'. Low growing hardy annuals and perennials, often mat forming or tufted, excellent in the rock garden or for edging. Easily grown in ordinary soil for their silvery leaves and showy, star-like, white flowers in May and June. Sow shallowly December to fall, to germinate in 5 - 20 days, some species up to 50 days at cool temperatures. Seed viable 4 - 7 years or more.
—Cerastium tomentosum Silver Carpet. (b,h) CERS-26. Packet: $2.50
'SNOW IN SUMMER'. Masses of pure white, snowy 1/2 - 3/4" flowers in early summer. Hardy perennial to 6 - 8", forming mats of silvery foliage. Europe. Does well in hot dry spots or light shade, forming 2 - 3 foot wide mats the first year. Stands cold climates & desert equally well. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
CERATONIA (ser-a-TOW-nee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. A single species. Drought resistant, good in desert areas. Needs 12 - 14" rain per year. Strains are hardy to 18 - 22°F, but should be protected for the first few years. Any soil except clay or wet ground. Good in California & the Gulf States. Nick and soak seed until swollen; boiling water may help. Germinates in about 2 - 4 weeks at warm temperatures. Do not injure tap root when transplanting.
NEW—Ceratonia Siliqua. (e,g) CERQ-1. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 75% Tested: 1/10, Oz: $7.50
'CAROB', 'ST. JOHN'S BREAD', 'ALGAROBA'. Red flowers followed by thick, fleshy, shiny brown 4 - 12" pods. Evergreen tree to 20 - 50 feet, with attractive shining pinnate leaves. E. Mediterranean region. The large thick pods are rich in protein and sugar, and are a wholesome food for man and beast. Long cultivated in its native land. The pulp is a valuable sweetener and chocolate substitute. The seed and pods are roasted as coffee substitutes. They may be fermented and distilled, the drink retaining the flavor of the pod. The milled seeds alone produce a flour containing 60% protein, and no sugar or starch, suitable for diabetics. As livestock feed the pods are superior to oats and comparable to barley. Average yield is 200 - 450 lbs per tree, up to 3000 lbs has been recorded. The wood is pinkish.
CERCIDIUM (ser-SID-ee-um)
LEGUMINOSAE. 'PALO VERDE'. Small trees or shrubs with green bark, bipinnate leaves and showy 5-petaled yellow flowers. Deserts of the Southwest & México. Good ornamentals in desert areas, they are leafless most of the year, the distinctive green bark presenting a striking appearance. Nick & soak seed.
NEW—Cercidium microphyllum. (20) CERD-7. Packet: $2.50
Seed has been treated with Sevin, then washed.
'YELLOW PALOVERDE'. Pale yellow flowers in April and May. Large shrub or small tree to 5 - 25 feet, with minute 1/16" leaflets. S. California. An excellent ornamental for desert regions.
NEW—Cercidium praecox. (25) CERD-8. Packet: $2.50
Seed has been treated with Sevin, then washed.
'PALO BREA'. Pale yellow flowers in spring. Small arching tree to 20 - 40 feet, with pinnate feathery leaves and bright green trunk. México to Ecuador. Hardy to 22°F. Nick seed, to germinate in 2 - 3 weeks.
NEW—Cercidium Torreyanum (=C. floridanum) (e,h) CERD-10. Packet: $2.50
Seed has been treated with Sevin, then washed.
'PALO VERDE'. Showy bright yellow 3/4" flowers, and grey green foliage for a short time in spring. Distinctive smooth bright green bark. Intricately branched tree to 25 feet. When in bloom it is the most beautiful feature of the Colorado desert of Southern California. The abundant pods furnish stock food and were ground into palatable meal by Indians. Excellent fuelwood. Nick seed to germinate in 2 weeks. The Shoe-Trees of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.
CERCIS (SER-sis)
LEGUMINOSAE. Handsome N. Hemisphere trees and shrubs noted for their profuse early spring bloom on bare branches before the leaves. Not closely related to any other genus, they may be a Tertiary relic. Attractive foliage, and blooms young. They thrive in fertile sandy loam. The wood is hard, finely veined black & green. Nick seed and give cold if specified.
—Cercis chinensis. (d,h) CERC-2. Packet: $2.50
'CHINESE REDBUD'. Rose to rosy-purple 1/2" flowers in clusters in early spring before the leaves. Shrub or small tree to 12 - 30 feet, with heart-shaped, shiny 5" leaves. Central China. Hardy to zone 6, and does well in western high deserts. Nick and give 8 weeks cold to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
CERCOCARPUS (ser-ko-KAR-pus)
ROSACEAE. Small tough shrubs and trees for dry rocky soil. Attractive foliage and plume-like seeds.
—Cercocarpus montanus. (c,g) CERO-6. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
'MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY'. Dusky pink 1/4" flowers in clusters in spring and summer, followed by attractive, twisted, plume-tailed seeds. Deciduous shrub to 4 - 6 feet, with dark green 1 - 2" leaves. Rocky Mountains. Very hardy and stands dry rocky places. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
CEREUS (SEER-ee-us)
CACTACEAE. Strong, vigorous columnar cacti reaching tree-like proportions with age. Good grafting stock. Large, night-blooming, trumpet-shaped, mostly white flowers. Some have edible fruits. Easy from seed; germinates in 2 - 8 weeks.
—Cereus peruvianus. (e,h) CERE-29. Packet: $2.50
'NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS', 'PERUVIAN TORCH'. Tall columnar cactus to 10 - 40 feet, branching freely. Bluish to dull green, with 5 - 8 thin ribs. Nocturnal 7" white flowers are slightly fragrant. Argentina to Brazil, not Peru.
—Cereus xanthocarpus. (c,h) CERE-98. Packet: $2.50
Bluish green columnar cactus to 20 feet or so, with 4 - 6 deep wavy ribs and inch-long spines. White 5 - 8" flowers open at night, followed by yellow 3" edible fruits. Paraguay. Zone 9. Germinates in 1 - 8 weeks.
CERINTHE (ker-IN-the or ser-IN-the)
BORAGINACEAE. Easily grown Mediterranean region annuals and perennials grown for ornament. Best in well-drained, moist limey soil in part shade.
—Cerinthe major purpurascens. (e,h) CERI-16P. Packet: $2.50
'HONEYWORT'. Purple-blue nodding tubular 3/4" flowers are yellow at the base, surrounded try striking deep blue bracts. Bushy annual or short-lived perennial to 1 1/2 feet, with oval, grey-green, slightly succulent leaves. Mediterranean. Good bee plant. Germinates readily in 1 - 3 weeks.
CESTRUM (SES-trum)
SOLANACEAE. Tropical American shrubs and trees with usually showy tubular flowers. Excellent in the greenhouse, California and the South.
NEW—Cestrum nocturnum. (25) CEST-30. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
'NIGHT JESSAMINE', 'QUEEN of the NIGHT', 'PIPILOXIHUITL'. Creamy white tubular 3/4 - 1" flowers in clusters are intensely fragrant at night. Tender evergreen shrub to 12 feet, with narrow 4 - 8" leaves. West Indies, México. Stands some frost. Good in the greenhouse. The flowers attract hummingbirds and the berries are eaten by mockingbirds. Used as an antispasmodic. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks warm.
CHAENORRHINUM (kee-no-RY -num)
SCROPHULARIACEAE. West Eurasian annuals and perennials resembling Linaria, grown for their almost constant delicate bloom. Good among rocks.
—Chaenorrhinum organifolium Summer Skies. (10,h) CHAN-20S. Packet: $2.50
Abundant pale blue-lilac snapdragon-like 1/2" flowers cover the plant in June to August. Perennial trailer to 6", with small round leaves. Southern Europe. A nice compact variety, often blooming the first year. Zone 6 or 7. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
CHEIRANTHUS (ky-RAN-thus)
CRUCIFERAE. 'WALLFLOWER'. Showy hardy perennials often grown as biennials. They rank among the showiest of flowers. Full sun or part shade, and good drainage- raised beds help. Likes limestone soil. Best in cool-summer areas. The showiest plants are produced from seed sown early in spring, to produce strong plants the first season, but they may be sown up till early fall. Sow up to 1/4" deep to germinate in 5 - 21 days. Space 12" apart. May be grown as hardy annuals in the North. Will flower indoors in a 6" pot. Seed viable 3 - 5 years.
Cheiranthus Cheiri Varieties:
'WALLFLOWER'. An old garden favorite, valued for its very sweetly fragrant inch-wide spring blooms. Showy short-lived perennial to 1 - 2 1/2 feet.
—Cheiranthus Cheiri Fair Lady. (b,h) CHER-1FL. Packet: $2.00
10 grams: $9.50
A splendid mixture of pastels, ranging from lemon-yellow through gold, apricot, salmon, rose and mahogany. Fragrant. To 20". Germinates in 1 week.
—Cheiranthus Cheiri Harlequin Mix. (b,h) CHER-1H. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 72% Tested: 8/09, 5 grams: $7.00, 10 grams: $10.00
A fine, free-flowering variety with rich clear colors, pastels, and bicolors. To 14". Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
CHEIRIDOPSIS (kee-ri-DOP-sis)
AIZOACEAE. South African clump-forming succulents with large brilliant flowers. New growth in early summer, slowly dry off and rest dry in winter.
—Cheiridopsis vanzijlii. (d,f) CHEI-86. Packet: $2.50
Huge 2 1/2" wide bright yellow flowers. Forms cushions of fat, inch-long succulent leaves resembling pebbles. S. Africa. Use GA-3 to germinate in 2 - 4 weeks.
CHELONE (kee-LOW-nee)
SCROPHULARIACEAE. Hardy, summer-blooming Penstemon-like N. American perennials with spikes of snapdragon-like flowers. Best in moist soil and part shade, with plenty of compost and old manure.
NEW—Chelone obliqua alba. (d,g) CHEO-18A. Packet: $3.00
Pure white inch-long flowers in short spikes. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, with pointed leaves. SE U.S. Zone 6. Give seed GA-3 500ppm or 6 weeks prechill.
CHENOPODIUM (ken-o-POE-dee-um)
CHENOPODIACEAE. Wide-ranging genus of mostly herbs with clustered tiny flowers. Many grown for ornament, edible greens or grain, aromatic culinary herbs or medicine. Easily grown and very useful. All germinate in 1 - 3 weeks unless noted otherwise.
—Chenopodium album Magenta. (a!,f) CHEN-1M. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 88% Tested: 8/09, Oz: $9.00, 1/4 lb: $24.00
New growth an attractive fluorescent magenta. Developed for the restaurant trade, with excellent flavor. Hardy annual to 8 - 10 feet—pinch and eat to keep short!
'LAMB'S QUARTERS', 'FAT HEN'. Hardy annual to 8 - 10 feet, producing an abundance of edible greens and seeds. Worldwide. The young plants are cooked for spring greens or added raw to salads, and the mature leaves are also excellent. The seeds are ground for meal in many parts of the world. The greens have a spinach-like flavor, but produce more abundantly and over a longer period. Good poultry food. Rich in vitamin A. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
NEW—Chenopodium ambrosioides. (500) CHEN-2. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 92% Tested: 5/09, Gram: $7.50
An irreplaceable Mexican herb with a unique flavor. Perennial to 4 feet in warm climates. Dense heads of tiny green flowers in drooping spikes. Very aromatic leaves a soft shade of green; stems tinged red and gold. Always added to beans, best near the beginning, to blend the flavor well. A light touch is added to vegetables, soups, casseroles, corn and fish dishes. Delightful tacos are made by lightly cooking a tortilla on one side, adding sprigs of fresh herb, folding over and pressing the edges together to retain the steam until it is cooked through. This causes the essential oils to blend into the dough, giving an intriguing flavor and aroma. Botanists say that epazote is a single species, yet one well-traveled Mexican cook told me of nine distinct varieties. The seeds yield a valuable anthelmintic oil. Germinates irregularly in 1 - 12 weeks warm.
—Chenopodium Berlandieri: See Huazontle in Specialty Vegetables
NEW—Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus. (b,h) CHEN-4. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $14.00
'GOOD KING HENRY', 'MERCURY', 'FAT-HEN'. Hardy perennial to 2 1/2 feet, with dark green leaves. A wholesome green vegetable, cooked like spinach. The young stalks can be peeled and eaten like asparagus. Set out 1 foot apart and it will give abundant greens for several years. Very hardy. Seed viable for 5 years. An excellent vegetable. Germinates in 1 - 5 weeks, but some lots dormant and need GA-3.
—Chenopodium capitatum. (a,g) CHEN-6. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
'STRAWBERRY BLITE'. Annual much like the Lamb's Quarters, to 1 1/2 feet. Triangular, toothed leaves. Europe. The heads ripen into strawberry-like edible fruits, with a flavor somewhat resembling mulberries. The leaves may be eaten like spinach. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks warm.
—Chenopodium giganteum. (a!,h) CHEN-20. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 44% Tested: 12/09, Oz: $10.00, 1/4 lb: $30.00
'PURPLE GOOSEFOOT', 'TREE SPINACH'. Young leaves are a striking iridescent magenta-red with crystalline red powder. Long red panicles of flowers. The stem is striped red and is very strong for its light weight due to a spiral twist. Large tall annual to 6 - 8 feet. Birds are fond of the seeds, and the leaves have been used as a spinach in the Mediterranean, by South African Bantu, and here in the U.S. Tender young leaves are good in salads. Germinates best with GA-3.
—Chenopodium Quinoa Brilliant Rainbow. (b,h) CHEN-25BR. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
1/2 Oz: $5.00, Oz: $8.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Reselected from Rainbow for the brightest, most brilliant colors. Nice! Germinates in a week.
'QUINOA'. An important high-protein (12 - 19%) grain of the Andes, with good amino acid balance and 58% starch. A staple for millions of Andeans, the development of low-elevation types is helping its spread. Seed washed in water before cooking to remove saponins which protect from pests. Hardy, easily grown annual to 4 - 6 feet, with large seedheads. The leaves, stem-tips and young flowers are excellent in salads, having a mild sweet flavor, and very succulent. Also good cooked like spinach or added to soups. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Chenopodium Quinoa Cherry Vanilla. (b,h) CHEN-25CV. Packet: $2.00 OTC ORGANIC SEED
Germination: 98% Tested: 10/09, 1/2 Oz: $6.00, Oz: $10.00, 1/4 lb: $35.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
'QUINOA'. Seedheads a blend of colors from creamy-white to rose, a beautiful variety with very mild-flavored grain. Developed by Shoulder to Shoulder Farm. An important high-protein (12 - 19%) grain of the Andes, with good amino acid balance and 58% starch. A staple for millions of Andeans, the development of low-elevation types is helping its spread. Seed washed in water before cooking to remove saponins which protect from pests. Hardy, easily grown annual to 4 - 6 feet, with large seedheads. The leaves, stem-tips and young flowers are excellent in salads, having a mild sweet flavor, and very succulent. Also good cooked like spinach or added to soups. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
CHILOPSIS (ki-LOP-sis)
BIGNONIACEAE. A single species.
—Chilopsis linearis. (c,h) CHIL-1. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 99% Tested: 8/09, 5 grams: $9.00
'DESERT or FLOWERING WILLOW'. Trumpet-shaped 2" lilac flowers with 2 yellow stripes, in clusters from April to August, followed by narrow, foot-long pods. Willow-like tree to 25 feet, with narrow, foot long leaves. Southwestern U.S. deserts. Good arid-region ornamental. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
CHIMONANTHUS (kee-mo-NAN-thus)
CALYCANTHACEAE. Attractive East Asian shrubs with sweetly-scented flowers. Best in full sun, and a sheltered spot.
NEW—Chimonanthus praecox. (e,h) CHIMO-16. Packet: $2.50
'WINTERSWEET', 'JAPANESE ALLSPICE'. Fragrant inch-long, many-petaled flowers in spring on the bare branches, the outer petals sulfur-yellow, the inner petals marked purple-brown. Deciduous shrub to 12 feet with glossy green 6" leaves. China. Zone 6. Germinates readily, improved by a prechill.
CHIONANTHUS (KEE-o-NAN-thus)
OLEACEAE. White-flowered trees and shrubs.
NEW—Chionanthus retusus. (10) CHIN-21. Packet: $2.50
'CHINESE FRINGE TREE'. Fragrant white flowers in clusters in summer, followed by blue-black berries. Shrub or small tree to 20 feet, with glossy bright green leaves. Attractive furrowed or peeling bark. China. Zone 6. Root germinates in 3 weeks or so, shoot appears in about 3 months.
CHLOROGALUM (klor-o-GAL-um)
LILIACEAE. Hardy, drought resistant bulbs native to California. Valued for their striking clumps of narrow, wavy-margined leaves, topped by large, airy clusters of six-petaled flowers. Easily grown and should be in every California garden. Best sown in fall, or give cold treatment. Germinates in 3 weeks to 7 months, cool to warm.
—Chlorogalum pomeridianum. (d,h) CHLG-16. Packet: $2.50
'NOSH' (Yuki), 'AMOLE', 'SOAP PLANT'. Star-like white 1" flowers with six narrow, purple-veined, recurved petals, in large airy clusters to 1 - 5 feet tall. The flowers pop open suddenly at about 4 PM. California. The large bulbs are covered with a thick, fibrous, coconut-like husk, which was used for brushes by the Indians. The bulb itself was pounded for soap, highly valued for washing clothes & hair, which it leaves silky & shiny. Also used as a poison oak remedy, fish poison, for glue, the leaves for green tattoo markings, and the young shoots were roasted for food.
CHORIZEMA (kor-i-ZE-ma)
LEGUMINOSAE. Showy, fast-growing Australian shrubs with slender, graceful arching branches, making a "riotous, gaudy display" of bright flowers in early spring. Fast growing and valued in the cool greenhouse or outdoors in California & the South. Hardy to about 24°F. Good in hanging baskets. Full sun. Easy from seed.
—Chorizema cordatum. (d,g) CHOZ-4. Packet: $2.50
'AUSTRALIAN FLAME PEA', 'FLOWERING OAK'. Abundant orange-red 1/2" flowers with purplish wings, in 6" clusters. Shrub to 3 - 10 feet, with dark green 1 - 2" leaves. Western Australia. Soak, nick hard, to germinate in 2 - 6 weeks.
CHRYSANTHEMUM (kri-SAN-the-mum)
COMPOSITAE. A large genus of showy annuals and perennials. Many are remarkably free-flowering, in every shade but blue. Excellent for cutting, lasting well in water. Most like a light, well-drained soil. Full sun. The perennials will last for years in the garden. Some make attractive pot plants. The are easy from seed sown in spring, 1/8 - 1/4" deep, to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks, some kinds up to 5 weeks. Space 1 - 2 feet apart. Well-loved garden favorites for centuries, reaching their peak of cultivation in the Orient. Seed of various kinds viable 1 - 10 years.
—Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium. (c,h) CHRY-14. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 42% Tested: 11/09, Gram: $5.00, 5 grams: $18.00 New Bulk Price
'DALMATIAN PYRETHRUM'. White inch-wide daisies with a strong spicy scent. Hardy perennial to 12 - 16", with many slender stems and silvery leaves. Dalmatia. Grown on a large scale for the production of the flowers which are powdered for insecticide. Likes dry, sunny, well-drained soil, and lives 6 - 25 years. Pick flowers when fully developed, but just before opening. Well-drained soil. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
NEW—Chrysanthemum coccineum Robinson Giant Mix. (200) CHRY-15RX. Packet: $2.50
Germination: 99% Tested: 4/09, 10 grams: $10.00
'PAINTED DAISY', 'PERSIAN PYRETHRUM'. Showy 3" daisies in shades of red, pink, lilac, and white, with yellow centers. Hardy perennial to 3 feet, with ferny aromatic foliage. S.W. Asia. Good for cutting. Dried flowers a source of pyrethrum.
—Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum. (a!,h) CHRY-27. Packet: $2.00 CANNOT BE SHIPPED TO MONTANA
Germination: 80% Tested: 8/09, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $18.00
'OX-EYE DAISY'. Large white 1 - 2" daisies. A slender hardy perennial to 1 - 2 feet. Eurasia, naturalized in N. America. The ancients associated this flower with Artemis, the goddess of women due to its supposed usefulness in female complaints. With the advent of christianity, this was transferred to Mary Magdalene, and called 'Maudlin Daisy'. The young leaves have been eaten in salads, though they are acrid. Good to naturalize. The full name means 'golden flower, white flower'.
—Chrysanthemum Parthenium. (a!,h) CHRY-40. Packet: $2.50 OTC ORGANIC SEED
5 grams: $15.00 (NEW PRICE) OTC ORGANIC SEED
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'FEVERFEW'. White 3/4" daisies with yellow centers, abundantly borne June to August. Bushy hardy perennial to 2 - 3 feet, with aromatic, deeply cut foliage. SE Europe. Blooms freely the first year, & is often grown as an annual. A fine old-fashioned garden plant, excellent for cut flowers. A tincture of the leaves is said to be an excellent insect repellant rubbed on the skin. Excellent remedy for migraine—I use it, it works! It made an amazing difference in my life. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
CIMICIFUGA: See Reserved Access page.
CISSUS (SIS-us or KIS-us)
VITACEAE. Mostly large, tendril-climbing vines or shrubs grown in the greenhouse or warm regions for ornament. Some are good houseplants.
NEW—Cissus antarctica. (e,h) CISS-4. Packet: $2.50
100 seed: $8.00
'KANGAROO VINE'. Large shiny 2 - 4" leaves on a woody vine to 10 feet, with reddish stems. Small flowers followed by black, edible berries. Australia. Has been called the ideal houseplant, standing all sorts of neglect, poor light, etc. "Survives dry dingy rooms."—Mabberley. Germinates in 5 - 24 weeks.
"Freedom means you can do and say what you want. It also means people you don't like can say and do things that you dislike. That's part of the deal. Most people are unclear on this very simple concept."—J.L.H.
CLARKIA (KLAR-kee-a)
ONAGRACEAE. Showy, easily grown hardy annuals of western N. America and southern S. America. They make a wonderful display in any sunny place. Best in light soil, and stands part shade. Gives the best display in nitrogen-poor soil. Excellent for borders, bedding, naturalizing in the meadow, and they make good cut-flowers. Sow in March where they are to flower, or in fall in a sheltered place in mild climates. Germinates in 5 - 20 days. Seed half-life over 8 years. Named for Captain Clark of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
—Clarkia amoena Tall Mixed. (a!,h) CLAR-4X. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 92% Tested: 8/09, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $18.00
'FAREWELL TO SPRING'. Large brightly colored3 - 5" wide cup-shaped blooms. Showy annual to I - 3 feet. California. Blooms in 14 weeks, and makes nice cut flowers. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Clarkia unguiculata (=elegans). (a!,h) CLAR-24. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 98% Tested: 10/09, Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $15.00
'MOUNTAIN GARLAND'. Rose and white 1 - 2" flowers in slender spikes. Hardy annual to 3 feet, making a showy display in masses. Individually, the flowers, with their delicately clawed petals, are things of beauty. California. Excellent wildflower for naturalizing. The parched, ground seeds were eaten with acorn mush. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks at cool temperatures.
CLEMATIS (KLEM-a-tis)
RANUNCULACEAE. 'VIRGIN'S BOWER' Prized woody vines and herbs grown for their showy flowers often followed by attractive, silvery, puff-like seed-heads. They do best in a rich, well-drained, light loamy soil on the alkaline side. Add a little lime when planting and give a yearly mulch of manure or compost for best results. Give a cool, shaded root zone. The vine types are good for covering walls, arbors, balconies, etc., and the bushy types in the flower garden. Seed best sown shallowly in October to February, or give 2 - 6 months cold treatment, to germinate in about 25 - 60 days, with some stragglers taking up to 2 years. Seed viable 1 - 3 years or more. Smoke treatment may help germination.
NEW—Clematis apiifolia. (50) CLEM-6. Packet: $3.00
Clusters of white 1/2" flowers in September and October. Climber to 10 feet, with trifoliate 3" leaves. Japan. Germinates in 4 - 12 weeks warm.
NEW—Clematis brevicaudata. (b,h) CLEM-17. Packet: $2.50
Creamy white 1 1/2" flowers much like tangutica. Vigorous hardy climber to 10 feet, with pinnate foliage. Siberia to N. China. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Clematis heracleifolia. (d,h) CLEM-52. Packet: $2.50
Tubular blue inch-long flowers with recurved petal tips and a fragrance resembling sweet violets. Very hardy perennial subshrub to 3 feet. E China. Blooms in August & September. Easy from seed, which germinates in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
—Clematis integrifolia. (d,v) CLEM-58. Packet: $3.00 OUT OF STOCK
Nodding, violet-blue, bell-shaped 1 1/2" flowers borne abundantly in June to August, on stems above the foliage. Hardy perennial to 1 1/2 - 3 feet, with 2 - 4" entire leaves. Eurasia.
NEW—Clematis napaulensis. (100) CLEM-87. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
'JAI', 'GHANTIALI'. Produces a profusion of creamy flowers with purple stamens. A graceful climber from shady moist Himalayan ravines. Seed germinates in 4 - 5 months.
—Clematis recta. (c,f) CLEM-100. Packet: $2.50
Fragrant white inch-wide starry flowers in July & August. Upright hardy perennial to 5 feet, with blue-green 4" leaves. Europe. Hardy to Zone 3. Germinates in 1 - 4 months at warm temperatures.
—Clematis terniflora. (d,h) CLEM-108. Packet: $2.50
'SWEET AUTUMN CLEMATIS'. White, very sweetly fragrant flowers in late summer, on a vigorous hardy climber. Japan. Hardy to Zone 5 at least. Germinates in 2 - 5 months warm.
—Clematis verticillaris. (c,l) CLEM-119. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
Nodding purple-blue 2 - 4" wide flowers in May and June. Very hardy perennial to 3 - 10 feet, with trifoliate leaves. E North America. Good ground cover. Germinates in 2 - 3 months.
CLEOME (klee-O-mee)
CAPPARIDACEAE. 'SPIDER FLOWER'. Interesting and showy-flowered hardy annuals and tender perennials. The unusual flowers have long dark purple spidery stamens and variously colored showy, long stalked petals. Heat and drought resistant, they are fascinating plants for the sunny border. Prefers sandy soil. Irregular germination. Start indoors in March to flower freely from June to frost. They also make excellent pot plants for the greenhouse, doing well in 6" pots. Outdoors, start in May where they are to grow, and thin to 1 - 2 feet apart.
—Cleome serrulata. See Reserved Access page.
Cleome spinosa Varieties: 'Spider Flower'.
The popular half hardy annual to 3 - 4 feet tall. Makes a showy display in the border, their airy heads of powerfully scented spidery flowers with blue or purple 3" long stamens are attractive from June till frost, and the palmate foliage is quite pleasing. Somewhat irregular germination; usually some in 2 - 3 weeks, stragglers up to 3 months. Two weeks cold treatment or aged seed may help.
—Cleome spinosa Cherry Queen. (b,h) CLEO-5C. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 94% Tested: 11/09, 10 Grams: $12.00 (New Price)
Deep carmine-rose flowers. Hardy annual to 3 feet.
—Cleome spinosa Helen Campbell. (b,h) CLEO-5H. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 95% Tested: 12/09, 10 grams: $12.00 (New Price) BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
The best pure white, also called White Queen.
—Cleome spinosa Violet Queen. (b,h) CLEO-5V. Packet: $2.00
Germination: 80% Tested: 1/10, 10 grams: $12.00 (New Price) BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Violet purple flowers. Annual to 3 feet.
CLITORIA (kli-TOR-ee-a)
LEGUMINOSAE. Easily grown tropical vines and shrubs with pinnate leaves and showy flowers. (Yes, it is named after what it sounds like - an alleged resemblance in the flower!)
—Clitoria Ternatea. (e,h) CLI-23. Packet: $2.50 Nice Flower Photo Info and Photos Info on use as a tropical forage
'BUTTERFLY PEA'. Deep rich blue 1 1/2" flowers with markings on the standard. Tender twiner to 10 - 15 feet, with 2 - 6" leaves and 4 1/2" pods. Tropical Asia. Considered sacred in India, the flowers are used to dye rice cerulean blue. Good in the greenhouse & in hanging baskets. Good cut flowers. Soak, nick hard seed, seed to germinate in 1 - 4 weeks.
—Clitoria Ternatea White. (e,f) CLI-23W. Packet: $3.00
'WHITE BUTTERFLY PEA'. The lovely white-flowered form. Twiner to 10 - 15 feet, with 2 - 6" leaves. Tropical Asia. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks.