Flowers

Aster Duchess Blue Ice

(Callistephus chinensis) Gorgeous cut flower. Large (8 - 10 cm.) flowers are white with varying degrees of blue on the tips of the petals. Multibranched plants reach 60 cm. Long vase life and what presence in a bouquet. ~ 60 seeds

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Beardtongue—Hairy

Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy Penstemon, Eastern Penstemon). Another native beauty, this penstemon is a little shorter than P. digitalis, and more drought tolerant. Good for the wildflower area, P. hirsutus likes its soil lean and mean. Pale lavender flowers are popular with bees. Pkt. ~ 200 seeds

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Beardtongue—Smooth

Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Penstemon, Smooth Penstemon). A lovely native penstemon growing up to 3' tall in sun or part shade. Not fussy about soil, extremely hardy, and easy to start from seed (when wintersown). Will probably re-seed if not deadheaded. Try them in front of some Eupatorium — the taller Joe Pye will overtake the spent Penstemons as the season progresses. In my garden, the rosettes are evergreen. Pkt. ~ 200 seeds

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Bells of Ireland

Moluccella laevis. Annual produces scented lime-green flowers (calyxes actually) on tall (1m) spikes. Makes a lovely background plant and is also used as a long-lasting cut flower that won't steal the show. Nice in containers in a cool area. Plants may need support in fertile soil. Flowers in late summer. Best to direct-sow in early spring— seeds need light and a period of cold moist stratification to germinate. Will probably self-seed in the garden. Pkt. ~ 100 seeds

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Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fisulosa) Shaggy pink/lavender blooms will be one of the most wildly attractive plants for the bees and butterflies. Like other plants in the mint family, Monarda can form large spreading clumps that will need attention from time to time. Hard clay will slow them down somewhat. Give monarda an open location with good air circulation to avoid the ubiquitous powdery mildew. Perennial (to zone 4), with lots of babies if you don't deadhead. All parts of the plant have that distinctive bergamot scent.Pkt ~200 seeds

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Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Description to come.

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Calendula—Alpha

Annual flowers bloom heavily in spring— fall, too, if you deadhead. These are enthusiastic re-seeders, so leave a few seedheads for next season's patch and go easy on the mulch. Incredibly easy, pretty— and fairly drought-resistant,too. Single to double flowers in many shades of orange are high in resin. Perfect for soothing hand creams and lotions. approx. 100 seeds

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Calendula—Cream Beauty

Back in 2011.

Calendula Mix

Here is a mix of calendulas that will provide all shades of orange and yellow in singles, doubles and inbetweens. Fresh edible flowers spruce up salads, omlettes and cheese dishes. Dry flower petals can be used as a saffron substitute. Calendula ointment is easy to make and is in constant use here on the farm as a soothing anti-inflammatory salve for cuts, gardeners' dry hands, and lip balm. Also known as pot marigold even though it isn’t related to marigolds. High in vitamins A and C and rich in flavanoids. Pkt ~ 100 seeds

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Canada (Showy) Tick-Trefoil

Desmodium canadense. Perennnial (to zone 4). This native wildflower will grow to 36" tall, pretty much anywhere. It's an unstoppable re-seeder, so let it go in a prairie or wildflower area— the bees and birds will thank you for it. Blooms in the late summer and fall. Seeds need a few months of cold, moist stratification; put your trays in a cold frame or the refrigerator and don't let them dry out. Pkt ~ 100 seeds

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Clematis— Virgin's Bower

Clematis virginiana, also known as Virgin's Bower, is a tall-climbing native vine that will go tree-top high. It likes cool roots and dislikes acid soils. In some locales this vine re-seeds aggressively, so place it carefully and, come autumn, enjoy its gorgeous scent and beauty. Seeds are sometimes slow to germinate-- bottom heat will help. Pkt. ~ 40 seeds

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Coneflower— Grey Headed

Ratibida pinnata (Grey-Headed Coneflower) Very drought-tolerant perennial wildflower. Blooms in July and August— let it go to seed so the winter birds can feed. Like most coneflowers, Ratibida is loved by butterflies. A beautiful, tall (to 5') addition to a native or wildflower planting. Easy to grow from seed. Cold-moist stratification is beneficial but not necessary. Pkt. ~ 250 seeds

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Coreopsis - Tall

Coreopsis grandiflora. Details to come.

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Coreopsis - Lanceleaf

Coreopsis lanceolata. Details to come.

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Cornflower— Black Boy

Centaurea cyanus "Black Boy" This annual flower can grow to 36" and will bloom sporadically all summer if deadheaded. Very easy to grow— will reseed. Dark maroon, nearly black, blooms start in early summer. Full sun. Not fussy about soil. Try this one mixed with white-flowering umbellifers for a nice contrast in shape and form. Pkt.~ 100 seeds

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Cornflower— Blue Boy

Centaurea cyanus "Blue Boy" This annual flower can grow to 36" and will bloom sporadically all summer if deadheaded. Very easy to grow— will reseed. Double blooms. Full sun. Not fussy about soil. A cottage-garden classic. Try it with some electric-pink silene (catchfly) for a knockout show. Pkt.~ 100 seeds

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Cosmos "Purity"

Cosmos bipinnatus "Purity". This is the cosmos for the discerning gardener who likes every flower, even the cottage-type annuals, to be just a little bit special. Like the pink cosmos varieties, "Purity" grows ~4' tall, blooms in mid-summer, requires full sun. The bonus is the gorgeous show by moonlight, visible from the second-floor bedroom window. Deadhead for blooms 'til frost, but leave some for volunteers next season. Cosmos looks after itself— and the B-3s (bees, butterflies, bugs). Pkt.~ 100 seeds

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Cosmos "Versailles Mix"

Cosmos bipinnatus "Versailles Mix". 60-90 days. Early blooming cosmos developed for cutting. Flowers are held above strong stems that can withstand wind and are shades of soft pink, white, pink with a white eye and carmine red. Vigorous plants have a long blooming season and reach 1-1.2 metres. Attracts beneficial insects. Annual.Pkt.~ 100 seeds

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Evening Primrose

(Oenothera biennis) The bright yellow flowers of Evening Primrose can be found in disturbed soil along roadsides, streams and rivers, and in open fields. The oil is very rich in essential fatty acids and is used for a variety of ailments. Fresh green shoots are great in salads and the roots can be eaten as a vegetable. Seed needs a cold period to germinate so sprinkle outside and allow late winter/early spring weather to work its magic. Pkt ~ 200 seeds

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Foxglove—Apricot (Digitalis purpurea)

Old-fashioned spires of soft, apricot coloured flowers are beautiful in borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens and woodland edges. For bouquets, cut when the bottom third of the flowers spike has open blossoms. Short-lived perennial self seeds. Likes dappled shade, cool weather, humousy soil. Seeds need light to germinate. approx. 100 seeds

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Foxglove—Grecian (Digitalis lanata)

Spikes of white flowers with brown veining look like a medieval woodcut as they open from the bottom up. Perfect for the border, this biennial self seeds and attracts hummingbirds and hummingbird moths. Seeds need light to germinate. approx. 100 seeds

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Hollyhock—Black

Alcea rosea 'nigra'. Tall (5 to 8 foot) spires of old-fashioned, deep maroon-black single flowers are spectacular at the back of any planting. Add the dried flowers to tea for a tangy taste and deep purple colour. Light aids germination, so just barely cover the seed. Try direct seeding or a period of cold moist stratification. Normally these will bloom the second year unless started early indoors. Short-lived biennial (sometimes perennial) will self-seed. Approx. 50 seeds

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Hyacinth Bean

Dolichos purpureus (Lablab) / Hyacinth Bean. SOLD OUT. Back in 2011

Larkspur "Galilee Mix"

(Delphinium ajacis, Consolida ambigua) Larkspur 'Galilee'. Super easy, pretty, trouble-free, wildlife-friendly— what more could you want from a flower? These are a snap to grow from seed, either winter-sown or direct sown in spring. They don't like transplanting, so plant them out in their final home. They will re-seed, so give them a nice spot and they'll always be there to cheer you up. Blooms 'til (even past) frost with some deadheading. Pkt. ~ 50 seeds

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Lobelia— Great Blue

Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia) This is a terrific bee plant for an area that receives regular moisture (even flooding) and part shade. It can spread and re-seed quite exuberantly when it's happy. The plant may flower its first year if started early enough, but I've found that it grows slowly in its first season. Not a long-lived perennial, but the volunteers will make up for that. I put mine next to a clump of monarda and let them duke it out. Pkt. ~ 300 seeds

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Lupine—Mix

Cottage garden favorite. Spires of blue, yellow, pink, violet, white, peach and bicolours. Lupines bloom early in the season and self sow. They are hardy, easy to care for, and make beautiful bouquets. Excellent butterfly plant. The impermeable seedcoat can make germination tricky. Sow in the fall in a cold frame, or, in the spring, try pouring hot water over seeds and letting them soak warm for up to three days until they swell, then sow cool. approx. 50 seeds

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Marsh Mallow

Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) A supremely useful plant for permaculture and natural medicine, Marshmallow also makes a pretty addition to the wildflower garden where the bees will buzz with joy. Native to Europe, this widely naturalized plant is hardy to zone 4 and grows 3 - 6' tall in sun or part shade. Not for super-dry areas. Best germination is with winter sowing (cold moist stratification). Pkt. ~ 100 seeds

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Milkweed— Asclepias Incarnata

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) This is not the cropland weed (A. syriaca) that farmers curse! Grow this NA native for the sweet scent, the butterflies, bees, and the beautiful mid- to late-season colour. Allow the Monarch butterfly larvae to munch all the leaves they want and watch them pupate over the winter— the plant will return next spring. Easy from seed with winter-sowing. Won't reliably re-seed in one area, since the fluffy seedheads travel long distances in the wind. Extremely hardy, but not the best choice for drought-prone areas. Pkt. ~ 50 seeds

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Milkweed— Asclepias tuberosa

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) This North American native has clusters of orange-red flowers that attract variety of butterflies, including the treasured Monarch. A perennial (to zone 4) growing 18 to 36" tall, it requires well-drained soil and prefers full sun. The wind will carry the fluffy seeds great distances. Wintersow in a cold frame, or cold moist stratify for 4 weeks in moistened sand, then germinate warm. Pkt. ~ 50 seeds

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Morning Glory—President Tyler

Ipomoea purpurea. 45 days. Extra early, heirloom morning glory. Flowers are purple with a dark maroon star and white throat. They resemble Grandpa Ott's but bloom so much earlier. Vines reach a height of 2-2.5 m. and bloom until frost. Quite a show stopper— grow through spring-flowering shrubs, on a tall trellis, or let it scramble over something unsightly. Will re-seed. Soak seeds overnight, cover lightly, place in light, germinate warm. Approx 50 seeds.

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Nigella— Cramer's Plum

aka Love-in-a-Mist. These annuals are great for that "difficult" spot. Low-growing (about 12") white blooms are fairly short lived, but the lovely plum-coloured seedpods give this simple annual high marks for all-round excellence. Don't even try to keep Nigella from re-seeding— just let it do its thing in full sun and enjoy. Resents transplanting, so direct seed for best results.Pkt. ~ 150 seeds

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Poppy—Angel Wings

Papaver rhoeas (aka corn poppy, shirley poppy, field poppy, flanders poppy) "Angel Wings" is a mixed dwarf variety of mainly pastels with some bicolours. This single flowered annual is excellent for the "natural" garden. Shirley poppies are zealous self-seeders needing no special care, just full sun. Seeds require darkness and cool temperatures to germinate. Direct seed in early spring. Pkt. ~ 300 seeds

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Poppy—Blue Bread Seed

Papaver somniferum. This poppy is breathtaking massed throughout the garden. Lavender flowers have a deep purple throat and are followed by ornamental seed pods filled with slate blue, edible poppy seeds. An annual that self seeds readily, this poppy is best direct seed (covered) in early spring while daytime temperatures are still cool. Approx. 300 seeds

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Sunflower—Birdseed Mix

Helianthus annuus. Plant a patch for the birds and watch them feast. This mix includes all shapes and sizes from massive 30-40 cm heads full of black seed to smaller multibranching heads full of striped seed. Great for children and naturalized school gardens. Pkt. ~ 100 seeds

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Sunflower—Earthwalker

Helianthus annuus. Tall (to 3 m) vigorous multibranching plants sport 25cm flowers in shades of terra cotta. Makes a beautiful cut flower for fall bouquets or leave the flower heads to dry down and provide food for the birds. The flower heads face the sun and follow it as it crosses the sky. Great for children's gardens. I plant these in front of the Russian Mammoth and cut the front sections back for a floor-to-ceiling sunflower extravangza. Approx. 50 seeds

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Sunflower—Mammoth Russian

Helianthus annuus. Plant these and stand back! In a fertile garden these will grow to 12 feet and you'll need a saw to cut down the stalks in the fall. I cut down the mature heads and lay them out in an open area for natural flat birdfeeders. These will reseed in the garden, but can be started indoors for earlier blooms. The birdies will drop seed in the strangest places, including your neighbour's yard. Makes an excellent temporary fence or windbreak.

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Sweet Pea— Cupani

Lathyrus odoratus. The original strain of sweet pea, sent to England in 1699 by Franciscus Cupani, a Sicilian monk. Colorful burgundy and purple bicolor blossoms with an intoxicating fragrance. A single cut flower will fill your house with scent. Likes cool weather. Nick and/or soak seed, germinates cool/dark. Rare. Approx. 30 seeds

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Sweet Pea— Old Spice Mix

Lathyrus odoratus. Thankfully this gorgeous scented old variety was rescusitated before lathyrus breeders pushed it out of the trade in favour of the big buxom— and bland-smelling— modern varieties. Annual sweet peas need cool weather, cool roots, and lots of fertile, deep soil. Dig the bed in the fall get ready to plant your starts (or seeds) as soon as you can push a shovel through in the spring. I start mine in the cold frame in really deep plug trays or 4-inch pots and plant them before the roots fill in. Although they dislike transplanting, the early start will encourage blooms before the hot weather sets in. Keep them watered as they sulk through summer and you'll likely get a second, quite vigorous flush in the fall. Approx. 30 seeds

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Verbena bonariensis

Georgeous lilac clusters atop long airy stems that reach 1 metre or more. V. bonariensis is heat and drought tolerant and blooms from July until frost. If there is a bee in the vicinity, it will be on this flower! It is the perfect plant for splashes of mid-border colour. This tender perennial is supposed to be hardy in zones 7 through 10 but we find that it overwinters in our zone 5 garden as long as there is snow cover. Even if your plants succumb, they will deposit their progeny quite liberally through your garden, but seedlings are easy to identify and pull, if you have the heart. Approx. 100 seeds

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Verbena hastata

Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain). This is the species vervain used for natural medicine. With its innumerable short but long-blooming lilac spikes, blue vervain is also welcome in the perennial garden— just ask the bees and butterflies, if you can divert their attention for a second! Try growing it in front of Asclepias incarnata or Mr. Joe Pye (all like a moist soil) for a nice contrast in flower form. Seeds may be direct sown or cold-moist stratified (winter sown) Hardy to at least zone 4. Approx. 100 seeds

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Yarrow— White

(Achillea millefolium) Yarrow is found along roadsides and ditches throughout North America. It is one of the biodynamic herbs and has a long history of medicinal use as a wound herb, in cleansing lotions and ointments, and as a general fortifier for the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. The feathery foliage and white flowers are attractive in the perennial garden. Yarrow prefers full sun and soil on the dry side. Attracts beneficial insects but repels mosquitoes. Pkt. ~ 100 seeds

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Zinnia—Pastel Dreams

(Zinnia elegans) Colourful, productive cutting flowers. Bouquets of zinnias are long lasting and quite an eye catcher at market. This mix contains pink, salmnon, soft orange, white and muted reds. Plants reach 60 cm. in height and are very bushy. In the garden, zinnias are a popular bee hangout and will bloom until frost (if deadheaded). Super-easy to grow and a staple of every garden from cottage-casual to high-brow. Approx. 50 seeds

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