AMARYLLIDACEAE. Central and South American bulbs related to Hippeastrum and Zephyranthes. Easy in full sun, part shade, good in sandy soil and in pots. Outdoors in California and the South.
—Habranthus robustus. (d,h) HABR-10. Packet: $2.50
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Large, rosy-pink 3" long and wide flowers with green throats, borne on 9" stalks in spring, before the leaves. Narrow blue-green leaves. Argentina. Evergreen in California. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
HEDYSARUM (he-DEE-sar-um)
LEGUMINOSAE. Ornamental hardy perennials and shrubs, with showy flowers and feathery leaves.
—Hedysarum tauricum. (25) HEDS-80. Packet: $3.00
Gram: $14.00
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'KOPEECHNIK KRYMSI'. Spikes of large purple flowers, June to September. Hardy perennial to 1 foot, with attractive pinnate foliage. Black Sea region. Remove husk, hot water soak, then nick hard to germinate in 3 - 8 weeks.
"Busy, curious, thirsty fly, Drink with me, and drink as I."—William Oldys, On a Fly Drinking out of a Cup of Ale, (1696 - 1761).
HEIMIA (HY-mee-a)
LYTHRACEAE. Several attractive shrubs of the Americas, grown for their handsome foliage and delicate yellow flowers. Nice little shrubs for warm regions or the greenhouse. Sow the minute seed on the surface, germinates readily and transplants easily. Drought tolerant once established.
—Heimia myrtifolia. (a,h) HEIM-4. Packet: $2.50 OUT OF STOCK
'SMALL SINICUICHE'. Bright yellow 1/2" five-petaled flowers on a lovely little shrub to 3 - 10 feet, with narrow 1 - 2" leaves. Brazil. Surprisingly hardy, to Zone 6 or more. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
HELENIUM (he-LEN-ee-um)
COMPOSITAE. Hardy American annual and perennial herbs grown in the border and wild garden for their interesting and attractive summer and fall bloom. Best in rich soil and full sun. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks. Sow in spring, and the perennials up to July. Seed viable 3 - 4 years.
—Helenium autumnale Red and Gold Hybrids. (500) HELE-2R. Packet: $2.50
Brilliant attractive daisies, about 2" wide, in various shades of scarlet, orange, yellow and mahogany. Makes a nice display in late summer and early fall. Hardy perennial to 2 - 5 feet with winged stems and narrow 6" leaves. N. America. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks.
HELIANTHUS (hee-lee-AN-thus)
COMPOSITAE. 'SUNFLOWER'. Large hardy annuals and perennials grown for their large showy flowers. Excellent in the back border, and are ideal for bird and wildlife food. The flowers of various species range from 1 - 12" or more across, and in height from 1 to 20 feet. Easily grown in most soils. Plant outside as early as possible to miss heavy frosts, to germinate in about 1 - 3 weeks. For early flowers, start indoors as early as February or March, to germinate in about 10 days at 60 - 65°F. Plant out in April or May. Heat and drought resistant. Best planted in masses in large gardens where "their magnificent flowers... assume an air of regal splendor."—Booth.
—Helianthus annuus Autumn Beauty. (b,h) HELA-6AB. Packet: $1.50
Oz: $5.00
Many 6" flowers in shades of yellow, bronze and mahogany red, with a darker zone. Branching habit to 7 feet. An interesting mixture. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Helianthus annuus Chocolat. (e,h) HELA-6C. Packet: $3.00
5 grams: $15.00
Deep chocolate-colored flowers. Dwarf to 2 - 3 feet tall. Choice and very scarce. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Helianthus annuus Ring of Fire. (e,h) HELA-6RF. Packet: $2.50 (Treated Seed - Fludioxonil)
Bicolored 5 - 6" wide flowers, the petals with golden tips and dark red base, and dark center. Hardy annual to 4 feet. Good cut flower. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks. All-America and Fleuroselect winner.
—Helianthus annuus Sonja. (d,h) HELA-6SJ. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $20.00
Tangerine orange with dark center. A new type for cutting; the long laterals have no side branches. To 3 1/2 feet tall. Nice in the flower garden. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Helianthus annuus Valentine. (c,h) HELA-6V. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $16.00
Lemon yellow 6" flowers with black centers, on long, 30" stems. Developed especially for cutting. Base branching to 5 feet. Blooms August to September providing repeated crops. Harvest in bud stage in early morning, and if kept in nutrient water, they may last 15 - 18 days. A new introduction for 1993, developed by E. Benary. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Helianthus Maximiliani. (b,h) HELA-30. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $9.00, 1/4 lb: $27.00
'MAXIMILIAN SUNFLOWER'. Yellow 3" sunflowers from July to October on a hardy perennial to 2 - 10 feet tall. Narrow, foot-long leaves. Plains, Manitoba to Texas. The thick tubers were eaten by the Sioux and other peoples. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks.
HELIOPSIS (hee-lee-OP-sis)
COMPOSITAE. 'SUN GLORY'. Showy sunflower-like hardy perennials valued for their large summer bloom in the border. Makes good cut flowers. Sow seed from early spring up to August, to germinate in 10 - 15 days. Blooms the first year if started early.
—Heliopsis scabra Summer Nights. (25) HELO-24N. Packet: $4.00
1/4 gram: $7.50, Gram: $20.00
An outstanding variety with golden 4" flowers with orange-red centers, July to frost. Hardy perennial to 4 feet , with red stems and purplish-red foliage. Zone 3. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks warm.
—Heliopsis scabra Summer Sun. (c,h) HELO-24S. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $7.50
Bright golden yellow double and semi-double 4" flowers borne in profusion on long, strong stems from July to September. Hardy perennial to 5 feet. E. U.S. Excellent for cut flowers. Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
HELIOTROPIUM (hee-lee-o-TRO-pee-um)
BORAGINACEAE. 'HELIOTROPE'. Popular half-hardy annuals and perennials grown for their very fragrant purple, violet or white flowers in coiled racemes. Old fashioned favorites for cut flowers, as pot and greenhouse plants, and in the border. They like light, rich soil in a sunny, protected place. Start seed early indoors to germinate in about 1 - 12 weeks, pot up or plant out in May, spacing 12". Do not fertilize, as this lessens their fragrance. Can be grown in the same pot for several years. The seed can remain viable for more than 50 years.
Heliotropium arborescens Varieties:
'HELIOTROPE', 'CHERRY PIE'. Tender perennial with tiny, extraordinarily fragrant, vanilla-scented flowers in massive dense clusters. Can become shrubby in mild climates. Sun or part shade in hot areas. Peru. Cultivated since 1757. The modern varieties unfortunately may lack fragrance.
—Heliotropium arborescens Marine. (b,g) HELR-2M. Packet: $3.00
Giant 12" clusters of deep violet-blue sweetly scented flowers produced all summer above the dark green wrinkled foliage. Tender perennial to 2 feet. Excellent pot or bedding plant. Germinates in 1 - 12 weeks.
HELLEBORUS (he-LE-bor-us)
RANUNCULACEAE. 'HELLEBORE'. Attractive long-lived hardy perennials valued for their very early bloom (some in late winter), and handsome foliage. Best in part shade and moist soil, admirably suited to planting under trees and in shrubbery. They make excellent cut flowers and are easily forced. Seed germinates best if given 2 periods of cold treatment, otherwise they may hold over 2 winters. Sow in fall or give 30 - 60 days cold, then 60 days warm, then 30 - 60 days cold, to germinate in 30 - 60 days. Freezing once in each cold period may help. Space 12". Good results have been obtained by starting at warm temperatures for 1 - 3 months, then move to cold, for germination at cold temperatures.
—Helleborus niger. (d,h) HELB-10. Packet: $2.50
Gram: $7.50
'CHRISTMAS ROSE'. Very large white flushed pinkish 2 - 4" saucer-shaped flowers bloom very early, December to April. Elegant hardy perennial to 1 1/2 feet, with dark green divided leaves. Europe. Best in cold-winter climates. The poisonous root was used medicinally and was once used to bless cattle as protection from evil spirits, and was used by sorcerers of legend to become invisible.
HEMEROCALLIS (he-mer-o-KAL-is)
LILIACEAE. 'DAYLILY'. Hardy, free-flowering tuberous rooted Eurasian perennials prized for their showy bloom. Easily grown, pest free, thriving with neglect. Almost any soil, full sun or part shade. Easy to naturalize. forming large clumps. Mixed types germinate at 70°F, with further germination if unsprouted seeds are moved to 40°F.
—Hemerocallis Fine Mixed. (d,h) HEME-FX. Packet: $2.50
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'DAYLILY'. Seed from a fine collection from the full spectrum of day lilies—colors from yellow and orange through red, purple and pink to near white. Flower sizes from miniature to 6", and many ruffled and a few spider types. Includes named types like Stella De Oro and Catherine Woodbury, and a full range of heights and bloom times. Excellent. Easy but irregular from seed, most germinating in 1 - 8 weeks warm, but some lots need a 4 week prechill.
"Moral indignation is envy with a halo."—H. G. Wells.
HERACLEUM (her-a-KLEE-um)
UMBELLIFERAE. Bold perennials or biennials, some gigantic, with cartwheel-sized umbels. Good specimen plants for moist soil in full sun or shade.
—Heracleum lanatum (=maximum). (b,h) HERA-3. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $8.00
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'COW PARSNIP', 'MUN-SHOK' (Yuki name). White flowers in large umbels to a foot or so across, February to June. Hardy perennial to 3 - 10 feet, with bold 20" lobed leaves. N. America and Eurasia. Widely used by Indians for medicine and food, the tender young leaf and flower stalks eaten peeled. The roots are a valuable medicine. Give 4 - 6 weeks cold to germinate in 4 - 8 weeks.
HESPERALOE (hes-per-AL-o)
LILIACEAE or AGAVACEAE. Several stemless plants resembling Yucca. Narrow leaves from a bulbous base. Long flower-spikes. Easily grown; treat like Agave or Yucca. Excellent for desert areas.
—Hesperaloe parviflora. (e,h) HESO-19. Packet: $2.50
100 seed: $7.50
Photo Whole Plant Flower-Stalk
'RED YUCCA'. Bright dark to light red inch-long flowers on red stems to 6 feet tall, May to July. Inch wide, gracefully arching reddish green leaves to 4 feet long, the edges with conspicuous threadlike frayed edges. S.W. Texas. Hardy to 0°F (Zone 7). Germinates in 1 - 4 weeks.
HESPERIS (HES-per-is)
CRUCIFERAE. Hardy Eurasian biennials and perennials grown for their bright, often fragrant flowers.
—Hesperis matronalis Purple-Violet. (b,h) HESP-6V. Packet: $1.50
Oz: $6.00, 1/4 lb: $10.00
'SWEET ROCKET', 'DAME'S VIOLET', 'DAMMASK VIOLET'. Very sweet scented, showy purple-violet, 3/4", four-petaled flowers in large pyramidal clusters from June to August. Hardy biennial or perennial to 3 feet. Eurasia. Space 18". Good cut flower; a few mixed in a bouquet will scent a room. Full sun or part shade. An old-fashioned cottage garden favorite. Germinates in 1 - 2 weeks.
HEUCHERA (hew-KER-a)
SAXIFRAGACEAE. 'ALUM ROOT'. Popular native North American wildflowers. Airy clusters of dainty flowers held above clumps of broad, heart-shaped, lobed leaves. Though mostly inhabiting rocky cliffs, streambanks, and mountains, they thrive in full sun or part shade in ordinary moist garden soil. Good for cutting and florist work. Sow on surface in late fall to early spring. Germinates in 1 - 10 weeks at cool temperatures. Seed half-life 3 years.
—Heuchera americana Dale's Strain. (b,h) HEU-4D. (b,h) Packet: $2.50
Beautiful foliage, the 2 - 3" lobed leaves marbled purple and white, edged with green. Tiny creamy flowers in airy panicles, June to September. Hardy perennial to 2 feet, very variable in coloring. E. N. America. Zone 4. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks or so.
—Heuchera micrantha Palace Purple. (b,g) HEU-15P. Packet: $2.50
1/4 gram: $7.50, Gram: $18.00
Shiny purple-red to bronze foliage topped by long sprays of creamy flowers. Hardy perennial to 2 feet. Good pot plant and nice foliage in the border. Rogue out green seedlings. Offered in the trade as both americana and micrantha. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Heuchera Newest O.P. Hybrids. (b,h) HEU-NH. Packet: $2.50
Produces many varied forms with foliage from green to bronze, marbled silvery to red veined, smooth to lobed margins, and flowers from white to red. Hardy perennial to 8 - 20", blooms June to September. Nice! (americana X micrantha) Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Heuchera pulchella. (b,f) HEU-16. Packet: $2.50
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Nice rosy pink flowers on 6" stems. Hardy perennial (Zone 4) forming dense 1 1/2" tall mats of deeply lobed bright green leaves. New Mexico mountains. Best in dappled shade. "One of the finer species Heucheras. We've got a mat that has spread to 2 feet across over a period of about 8 years. A true miniature. Really nice."—Bertrand. Germinates in 2 - 12 weeks.
—Heuchera sanguinea Firefly. (b,h) HEU-20F. Packet: $2.50
1/4 gram: $7.50, Gram: $14.00
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'CORAL BELLS'. Dark scarlet, nodding, bell-shaped 1/2" flowers in open clusters, on delicate stems to 2 feet, May to July. Hardy perennial with rosettes of roundish scalloped leaves. SW U.S. This is an improved deep scarlet strain. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.
HIBISCUS (hi-BIS-kus)
MALVACEAE. 'ROSE MALLOW'. Warm region herbs, shrubs and trees with showy flowers in many colors, and a long season of bloom. Best in deep, rich, moist soil and full sun. Many of the herbaceous kinds are hardy in the North if mulched, and others good greenhouse tub plants, or the roots lifted in fall and stored in a cellar. Some can be flowered indoors in winter in a 6" pot. Germinates readily in 1 - 10 weeks warm, and light nicking or hot water soak may help. Various kinds are grown for food, fiber, seed oil, and even some for timber.
—Hibiscus aculeatus. (c,h) HIBS-3. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $10.00, Oz: $25.00
'PINELAND HIBISCUS'. Beautiful pale yellow 3 - 4" wide blooms, sometimes purple at the base. Perennial to 4 feet, with 3 - 5-lobed leaves. SE U.S. Seed pods good in dried arrangements. Nick seed to germinate in 1 - 3 weeks, a few up to 6 months.
—Hibiscus militaris. (d,g) HIBS-27. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $20.00
'SOLDIER ROSE-MALLOW'. Large pale pink cup-shaped 3 - 5" wide blooms with dark maroon centers. Hardy perennial to 4 - 7 feet, with heart-shaped basal leaves and 3-lobed upper leaves. Moist woods and swamps, Pennsylvania south to the Gulf. The flowers close at night. "A hardy and fine species."—Bailey. Germinates in 1 - 6 weeks.
—Hibiscus Moscheutos Mixed. (50) HIBS-30X. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $11.00 NEW PRICE
Huge 8 - 10" flowers range from pink to dark rose to white. Bushy perennial to 5 feet, with large, maple-like leaves. A 'Southern Belle' type. Choice and easy. Nick or use hot water to germinate in 1 - 2 weeks.
—Hibiscus syriacus. (c,h) HIBS-41. Packet: $2.50
1/2 Oz: $7.50
'ROSE-OF-SHARON', 'SHRUB-ALTHAEA'. Pink-lavender 4 - 5" wide flowers with dark crimson centers, July to September. Hardy shrub to 6 - 12 feet, with three-lobed leaves. E. Asia. Blooms 3 - 5 years from seed, and can live for many decades. Easy in any soil. The flowers and leaves are used for tea in China, and are eaten when young. Bark and root medicinal. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
—Hibiscus Trionum. (c,h) HIBS-45. Packet: $2.00
Oz: $6.00
'FLOWER-OF-AN-HOUR'. Yellow 1 1/2" flowers with a dark purple eye, followed by interesting inflated, almost transparent, inch-long calyces. Hardy annual to 2 feet, with deeply divided leaves. Old World tropics. "An interesting annual, blooming freely throughout the hot weather of summer, and thriving in any open, warm place."—L. H. Bailey. Also called 'Devil's Head In a Bush'. The young plants have been eaten as a potherb. Germination improved by nicking. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
HIERACIUM (hee-er-RAY-see-um)
COMPOSITAE. 'HAWKWEED'. Easily grown perennials with red, orange or yellow flowers on spikes held above a rosette of leaves. Good in the rock garden and in poor soil. Easy from seed, which germinates in 1 - 3 weeks, sometimes much longer. The name comes from the belief that hawks eat the plant to sharpen their sight. They have a sweet honey-like scent and give much nectar. Used medicinally.
NEW—Hieracium albiflorum. HIER-4. Packet: $2.50
'WHITE HAWKWEED'. Tiny white flowers in open airy clusters on slender stems. Perennial to 1 - 3 feet, with fuzzy leaves. Woodlands, California to Alaska and Colorado. Leaves smoked by California mountainfolk, said to cause intense dreams. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
HIEROCHLÖE (hee-er-o-KLO-ee)
GRAMINEAE. Fragrant perennial grasses of both hemispheres. Easily grown in moist places. The name is from Greek; hieros - sacred, and chlöe - grass. Rubbing the tiny seed out of the husk will give much better germination. Usually takes 2 weeks to 6 months, but is speeded to 2 - 4 weeks by soaking in 2000ppm potassium nitrate, or use 100ppm or less GA-3 (low concentration only).
—Hierochlöe odorata (Hierochloe odorata). (d,h) HIEC-18. Packet: $3.00
'SWEET GRASS', 'HOLY GRASS'. Sweetly vanilla/coumarin scented grass to 1 - 2 feet, with graceful brownish panicles in June and July. North temperate regions from Europe, through N. Asia and N. America. This is the source of the well-known sweetgrass braids used as sacred incense by N. American Indians. It is not well known that it was also sacred to early European peoples, and is still used to strew in churches on festival days. Used for flavoring in tropical Asia. Perhaps we can all use this grass to help us remember our common humanity. (The name Hierochloe odorata is repeated above so that the search engines can find it - they don't seem to do well with the "ö")
"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern."—Lord Acton, 1881.
HORMINUM (HOR-mi-num)
LABIATAE. A single species.
—Horminum pyrenaicum. (25) HORM-4. Packet: $3.00
'DRAGON MOUTH'. Showy purple 3/4" flowers in open spikes in mid-summer. Hardy rhizomatous perennial to 10", with rosettes of crinkled 3" leaves. Alps. Zone 5. Germinates in 2 - 6 weeks warm.
HOSTA (HO-sta)
LILIACEAE. 'PLANTAIN LILY'. Hardy and easily grown herbaceous perennials from China and Japan. They form large attractive clumps of broad basal leaves overtopped by spikes of funnel-shaped blue, lilac or white nodding flowers. They grow vigorously in rich soil in moist shaded places, the clumps of foliage creating a pleasing effect. Easy from seed, which germinates in 2 - 4 weeks or so.
—Hosta species Mixed. (b,h) HOST-X. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $15.00, 10 grams: $22.00 BULK OUT OF STOCK - PACKETS ARE AVAILABLE
A mix of various hardy species. Germinates in 2 - 4 weeks.
HOVENIA (ho-VE-nee-a)
RHAMNACEAE. One species of deciduous tree.
—Hovenia dulcis. (c,h) HOVA-1. Packet: $2.50
'JAPANESE RAISIN TREE. A peculiar tree, the 'raisins' being the enlarged, red, fleshy fruit-stalks. The small round fruits are decorative, but inedible, and the inch-long stalks are sweet and chewy, with the texture of raisins and a flavor that has been likened to a Bergamot pear. Easily grown tree to 30 feet, with handsome, glossy, heart-shaped 3 - 7" leaves, downy below, with good autumn color. Good small shade or lawn tree, hardy to Massachusetts and standing hot summers. Best in sandy loam. Nick seed to germinate in 4 - 8 weeks warm.
HUMULUS (HOO-mu-lus)
CANNABIDACEAE. Two species of twining dioecious vines, of easy cultivation. To save your own seed, plant several, to be sure of having both sexes.
—Humulus Lupulus. (c,h) HUMU-6. Packet: $2.50
5 grams: $24.00, 10 grams: $40.00
'HOPS'. Hardy dioecious perennial twiner to 20 feet, with handsome 3-lobed leaves and rounded cone-like spikes which form the bitter 'hops' used to flavor beer and increase its intoxicating effects. Young shoots eaten like asparagus. North temperate regions. Prechill 6 - 8 weeks to germinate in 2 - 3 weeks.
HYMENOSPORUM (hi-men-OS-por-um)
PITTOSPORACEAE. A single species.
NEW—Hymenosporum flavum. HYMP-1. Packet: $2.50
1/4 Oz: $12.50, Oz: $25.00
'WOLLUM-WOLLUM', 'NATIVE FRANGIPANNI'. Very fragrant yellow 1 1/2" long flowers with red in the throat, borne in umbel-like clusters. Evergreen shrub or tree to 60 feet, with shining green leaves. Australia. Good fast growing ornamental for California and Florida (probably hardy to 15°F). A fine shrub for the greenhouse. The fragrance has been likened to orange blossom honey. Easy and blooms in a 10" pot. Perfect on windowsills. Germinates in 3 - 8 weeks warm.
HYSSOPUS (hi-SO-pus)
LABIATAE. Aromatic perennials from the Mediterranean to central Asia.
—Hyssopus officinalis. (a!,h) HYSS-1. Packet: $2.50
Oz: $12.00, 1/4 lb: $36.00
'HYSSOP'. Dark blue 1/2" flowers in dense 5" spikes in summer and fall. Hardy aromatic perennial to 1 - 2 feet, with small, narrow, dark green 1 - 2" leaves. S. Europe. Blooms profusely. Best in warm, alkaline soil. Good bee plant, producing fine honey. A popular herb, used for tea, soups, potpourri, and medicinally against rheumatism. Germinates in 1 - 3 weeks.
—Hyssopus officinalis Tricolor Mix. (100) HYSS-ITX. Packet: $2.50
'TRICOLOR HYSSOP'. Blue, pink, and white-flowered forms mixed. Blooms June to August, making a nice display. Hardy perennial to 18".
HYSTRIX (HIS-trix)
GRAMINEAE. Striking ornamental perennial grasses. Nine species ranging from New Zealand and Asia to North America. Best in moist, woodsy, shady places.
—Hystrix californica. (50) HYST-4. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $10.00
'CALIFORNIA BOTTLE-BRUSH GRASS'. A stately perennial grass to 6 feet, with large nodding bottle-brush-like spikes, and wide, strap-like leaves. Rare endemic to central coastal California. Good in part shade or full sun. Germinates in 2 weeks. My favorite local grass.