2011 list

Updated 5 November 2010

All packets are $3.50, packet size is at least 50 seeds, unless otherwise specified. Zones included at the end of the description correspond to climatic zones used by the USDA and the RHS Index of Garden Plants. CN at the end of the entry denotes plants native to California.

Tigridia pavonia –white fl. – Iridaceae, Mexico. The typical huge bowl-shaped summer flowers are pure white in this seed strain, with a yellowish flush in the center, but none of the usual markings. Probably ‘Alba Immaculata’.    Z9    20 seeds

Tigridia vanhouttei – Iridaceae, Mexico. Clusters of flowers for a long period in summer. Outer petals pale yellow with purple streaks. Inner cupped petals cream with perfect painted purple veins leading to deep purple center.  Z8    20 seeds

Thermopsis macrophylla – Fabaceae, California. Rhizomatous perennial to 2-4’ with fuzzy light green leaves and spikes of golden pea flowers in spring. Common name is false lupine or golden pea.            Z8   30 seeds               CN

Trichostema lanceolatum – Lamiaceae, California.  Fall blooming annual vinegar weed has long spikes of intricate light blue flowers and distinctively pungent light green leaves. Bushlets to 18”, best with good drainage.                    CN

A closer look at the California clovers has been very rewarding. Seeds offered are from annual species with richly colored flowers and often they have interesting patterns on their leaves too.  Special thanks to Randall Morgan for sharing seeds.

Trifolium fucatum - Fabaceae, California, Oregon.  A very nice annual from wet meadows, lush green leaves often have interesting brown and silver markings. Large flower heads start out creamy white and age to a light rosy pink.        CN

Trifolium lilacinum - Fabaceae, California.  Green, pink, cream and black are combined on (smallish) intricately patterned leaves. Flowers combine lilac and white. Included within T. barbigerum var. andrewsii in Jepson Manual. CN

Trifolium jokerstii – Fabaceae, Butte County, California.  Bright golden flower heads glow over green –sometimes with red markings—leaves on this small annual cushion. Spring bloom.      20 seeds          limited supply            CN

Trifolium phaeocephalum Greene  -  Fabaceae, California.  Flowers are darkest purple and white on this species; and can appear for a long time if season is mild. Some markings on the leaves. Classified in Jepson under T. variegatum.   CN

Trifolium virescens Greene - Fabaceae, California, Oregon. Lush green leaves form strong clumps on this annual; good sized flower heads start out bright greenish yellow and age to vivid rose. A very ornamental clover; also used by native Americans. Some of the seedlings may have dark patterns on the leaves.                                                                   CN

Trifolium willdenovii - Fabaceae, W. United States.  Thin leaves and many rich purple and white flowers on rounded heads. Some seedlings have burgundy leaves. Annual. Good on heavy soils.                                                                    CN

Triteleia laxa – Liliaceae, California. Large clusters of upfacing violet blue trumpets appear on sturdy stalks in late spring. Easy from seed, let dry in summer. Stems to 2’+.                                                                                                CN

Tweedia caerulea - Asclepiadaceae, S.Brazil, Uruguay. Grayish leaves are a good backdrop for the clusters of powder blue flowers. Great seed pods produce silky white puffs when they mature.    30 seeds

Viola stojanowii - Violaceae, Balkan Peninsula.  This diminutive and very neat violet grows to about 4" by 8". Leaves are small, and the bright acid yellow flowers are produced in abundance. Great in containers.  Z9   30 seeds

Urospermum dalechampii – Asteraceae, Mediterranean. Pale yellow chicory-style daisies are carried over deep green leaves from late spring to fall on this easy perennial dandelion. Flowers attract all kinds of beneficial insects.  Z6

Wattakaka sinensis - Asclepiadaceae, China.  More properly known as Dregea sinensis, I cannot bring myself to be more modern here. A climbing milkweed from China, with rounded heads of fragrant starry whitish-pink flowers in summer. Deciduous in winter. Leaves are usually variegated in this seed strain.   Z9  or less      30 seeds  

Yucca whipplei var. parishii – Liliaceae, California. Slow growing, drought tolerant herbaceous perennial forms elegant rosettes of sharp-tipped linear gray-green leaves to 3‘or more in length. First flowering usually takes about 5 years and the original plant dies, however offsets are usually produced to replace the flowering rosette. Spring to summer inflorescences can reach 10’ or more and are densely clothed in bright white pendant flowers.      Z8    30 seeds      CN