Common Name
and Description

Agapanthus africanus

Lily of the Nile - A pretty ornamental with huge multi-flowered blooms that are a bright sky-blue. Reasonably hardy, will survive frosts. A popular ornamental, they are great in areas with lots of water. #1061

Bauhinia purpurea

Purple Orchid Tree - Striking subtropical tree with profuse blooms of large, pink-white, orchid-like flowers throughout winter and spring. This species is similar to B. variegata and is often planted as an ornamental in both tropical and temperate-subtropical climates. Hardy to 22F. #1048

Bauhinia tomentosa

Yellow Bell Orchid Tree - A small or medium sized shrubby tree with ornamental, canary yellow, bell-petaled flowers. The bright flowers are followed by pod fruits similar to more common Bauhinia's. Native to Africa, hardy to the 20's, fast-growing. #1049

Brassica rapa

Pak Choi, Chinese Cabbage - A leafy vegetable, extremely popular in China and in Chinese cuisine, having a wide range of uses. The leaves are edible and often cooked. Very easy to grow, similar to lettuce and spinach in growth habit. Annual. #1388

Datura metel

Double Golden Datura - A double-flowered Datura with beautiful golden yellow flowers. The large 6"+ blooms are double petaled and yellow inside and out. Small plants grow to a few feet and are great in containers. All parts of the plan are toxic to ingest. #1079

Datura parajuli

Datura - A fairly rare Datura, having long, trumpet-like flowers with white petals. Similar to some of the Brugmansia's, except the flowers open more upright. Hardy to short frosts. Can be grown in containers. Grows to 3-5ft. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1083

Datura stramonium

Devil's Apple - A distinctive Datura, having trumpet shaped, white flowers with petals that are slightly twisted, looking a bit like a pinwheel. Similar to some of the Brugmansia's, except the flowers open more upright. Hardy to short frosts. Can be grown in containers. Grows to 3-5ft. All parts of the plant are toxic to ingest. #1084

Erythrina arborescens

Sunshine Coral Tree - One of the beautiful tropical coral tree, so popular as an ornamental in warmer climates. This species produces bright and sunny orange-red blooms with the typically beautiful coral tree appearance. Tree is often leafless when blooms appear. Medium sized tree to 20-30ft. 6 seeds per pack. #1071

Erythrina coralloides

Flame Coral Tree - Seeds are from the classic Coral Tree, a gorgeous ornamental with torch-like red blooms that can reach 6-12". Tree is often leafless when blooms appear. Medium sized tree to 20-30ft. Seeds are poisonous if eaten. 6 seeds per pack. #1073

Etlingera eliator

Red Torch Ginger - Seeds are from the fiery tropical red torch ginger, renowned for its red flower bracts which grow atop stems several feet long. Clumping growth habit. Herbaceous, hardy to 32F but roots can be used to resprout in colder areas. The young buds are spicy, edible, and popular for use in some southeast Asian dishes. 10 seeds per pack. #1069

Etlingera eliator

White Torch Ginger - Seeds are form the elegant white-flowered torch ginger, renowned for its snow white flower bracts which grow atop stems several feet long. Clumping growth habit. Herbaceous, hardy to 32F but roots can be used to resprout in colder areas. The young buds are spicy, edible, and popular for use in some southeast Asian dishes. 10 seeds per pack. #1067

Eucalyptus resinifera

Red Mahogany - A tall eucalyptus known for its pretty red wood that has a resmeblance to tropical mahogany. Has rough, peeling bark and a slender profile, reaching as much as 75ft with maximum space. Hardy to the mid or low 20's. The wood has economic value in construction and furniture. #1054

Heliconia spathocircinata

Orange Fringed Heliconia - A deeply beautiful tropical heliconia with upright bracts mostly red in color, with orange-yellow interiors and pink tinges. This species is the parent for a number of cultivated hybrids. Grows to 6-7ft. Hardy to the low 30's (F). 5 seeds per pack. #1085

Jatropha curcas

Barbados Nut, Physic Nut - A fast-growing and tough tropical tree currently experiencing a resurgence of interest for its use as a biofuel. From the seeds an oil can be extracted that produces a fuel that can burned in standard diesel engines. Trees grow to 40-60ft and are hardy to some frost. Very easy to grow and highly tolerant of adverse soil and water conditions. The plant also has a variety of medicinal uses. 5 seeds per pack. #1078

Oroxylum indicum

Midnight Horror, Sword of Damocles - A strange tree named for its sickle-shaped fruits which dangle from the tree in an ominous and foreboding manner! Similar to some of the trumpet trees, this India native has large, very ornamental pinkish trumpet-like flowers. An odd and quite uncommon ornamental. Hardy to at least 32F, possibly lower. #1057

Phormium tenax variegata

Variegated New Zealand Flax, N.Z. Hemp - Beautiful agave relative often grown as a landscape shrub for its long-stranded, variegated green-yellow. Seeds are from the spectacular and rare variegated form. The fronds can grow up to 10-15ft, but more commonly the shrub stays at 2-6ft. The fibrous fronds are very strong and used for clothing, baskets, and rope. Hardy to 10-15F. #1089 more info

Protea eximia

Broad-Leaved Protea - A versatile and beautiful protea having radiant red-yellow-orange flowers. This particular species is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and climates, making it popular for home cultivation. Small bushy tree to 4-12ft. Hardy to some frost. 5 seeds per pack. #1081

Protea lepidocarpodendron

Black Bearded Protea - One of the bearded protea group, this salmon-orange beauty is highlighted by its black beard, coloring the tops of the flowers. Large flowers grow to a few inches and open upright. Small bushy tree to 4-12ft. Hardy to some frost. 5 seeds per pack. #1086

Puya mirabilis

Green Puya - A beautiful cloud forest puya with large, green-yellow flowers. Flowers are born on spikes that can grow to a few feet in length. Foliage has a delicate appearance, almost like a grass. Great in containers and hardy to the low 20's and even high teens. #1088

Puya venusta

Neon Puya - Striking bromeliad with large neon blue-red flower spikes. Bears similarities to P. coerulea. Silver fronded, grows to 2-6ft with 2-3ft flower spikes. Cloud forest bromeliad, but will survive droughts, and cold temperatures to 24-25F. #1080

Wrightia tinctoria

Indrajao - A shrubby, short tree native to India. Known for its medicinal uses in treating a variety of skin ailments as well as toothaches. The wood is smooth and carved much like ivory. The tree is also a source of a type of indigo dye. #1091

Common Name
and Description

Abelmoschus esculentus

Red Burgundy Okra - A vibrant okra with dark-violet pods. Closely related to ornamental hibiscus, okra produces pretty yellow flowers, followd by the edible seed pods which are popular for use in Asian cuisines. Pods grow to 7" and the plants are quite productive. Annual or perennial. 75-80 days. #2106

Abelmoschus esculentus

Star of David Okra - A hearty variety of green okra, Star of David produces 6" pods with cross sections that resemble its namesake. Plants produce heavy yields if continually harvested and grow to 5-10ft. Originally from Israel, fruits have a great and distinctive flavor. 75 days. #2114

Allium tuberosum

Garlic Chives - A delightful perennial often grown both for its ornamental appeal and its edible leaves, which have an aromatic, slightly garlicy flavor. It is a low-lying perennial with elongated leaves that spread from the base. 1-2ft tall flower stalks are borne in summer yielding ornamental, white flowers that smell like violets. Hardy to well below freezing, can be grown in most climates. #1375

Amaranthus caudatus

Love Lies Bleeding - A unique and breathtaking amaranth, Love Lies Bleeding features long flower plumes up to and over a foot long! The flowers are a brilliant red color and the leaves can be cooked as leafy greens. Plants grow to 3-4ft. 60 days. #2115

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Chinese Giant Orange Amaranth - A large amaranth with huge orange flower stalks. Plants grow to 8ft. Leaves are edible and the seeds are popular when cooked. 100 days to maturity. #2001

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Purple Amaranth - A large amaranth with beautiful purple heads. Plants grow to 8ft. Leaves are edible and the seeds are popular when cooked. 100 days to maturity. #2105

Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Pygmy Torch Amaranth - A delightful dwarf amaranth with long 12", dark red, tassel-like flowers. Plants are compact and only grow to 1-2ft. Great for small spaces and gorgeously colorful in the garden. #2113

Amaranthus x

Hopi Red Dye Amaranth - Once used by the Hopis to produce a dye, this beautiful ornamental and edible amaranth is useful in any garden. Flower spikes are dark red, young leaves have edible greens. Seeds can be used to produce flour. 70-100 days. #2116

Andrographis paniculata

Andrographis, Kalmegh - A small herb with significant use in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic medicine. Its main use is as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and antibiotic. It is currently being investigated for its anti-tumor and anti-HIV activity. Herbaceous in habit. Can be grown pretty much anywhere as an annual. #1384

Arctium lappa

Japanese Burdock, Gobo - A small, herbaceous biennial with ancient medicinal uses too numerous to list. The plant is also cultivated in Japan for its edible roots, known as gobo. Easy to grow in any climate. Hardy to Zone 3. #1382

Artemisia absinthium

Wormwood, Absinthium - A pretty, frilly, gray-leaved shrub famous for its various medicinal and edible uses. Leaves can be used to ward of insects and the plant is a key ingredient in the liquor absinthe. It is also used to flavor other liquors, as well as being a useful digestional aid. Short perennial, generally to 1-4ft. Hardy to zone 3. #2111

Barbarea verna

Winter Cress - A small biennial native to Europe. The young leaves are the most commonly used part, having a unique, almost spicy flavor that is popular in salads. The oil as well sprouted seeds are also edible. Very easy to grow. Short plant to 12-18". Hardy to freezes. #1399

Brassica campestris var chinensis

Dwarf Choy Sum - Similar to Pak Choy, the popular Asian vegetable Choy Sum has similarly tasty and more tender leaves. Stems, leaves and flower buds are edible and used in stir frys as well other cooked dishes. This variety grows 4-8" and is great for the home garden. Annual. #2103

Brassica japonica

Hiroshimana - A type of Japanese green, much like Chinese Cabbage. Has rounded, loose leaves that have a wonderful tender flavor. Popular in salads and in stir frys. Easy to grow. Annual. 35-40 days. #2102

Brassica japonica

Mibuna - A fast-growing and popular Japanese edible green. An unusual edible, the short plants grow with a clumping habit, leaving the edible foot long stalks and leaves. Leaves have a mustard-like flavor and are popular as an addition to salads and cooked foods. Easy to grow. Annual. #2101

Brassica juncea

Japanese Giant Red Mustard - A large leaved mustard with a tasty garlic-mustard flavor. Leaves are fluffy, mature to a red-green and grow to a few inches. Great for adding a gourmet touch to dishes that call for mustard. Annual, to 1-2ft. 60 days. #1394

Brassica oleracea v. tronchuda

Portuguese Cabbage, Couve Tronchuda - The very rare Portuguese Cabbage, highly sought after as an important ingredient in certain specialty soups and other dishes. Unlike common cabbages, this type is loose-leaf, with individual leaves ready for harvest when needed. A very interesting and very uncommon vegetable. Annual. #2118

Chrysanthemum coccineum

Painted Daisy, Pyrethrum - A pretty garden ornamental and a source of pyrethrum, a natural insecticide. It is a hardy perennial, usually growing to 1-2ft with colorful flowers that can range from white ro pink and red, having a typical daisy-like shape. The dried flower heads are a source of pyrethrum. Easy to grow. Hardy to well below 0F. #1385

Chrysanthemum coronarium

Shungiku - A popular ingredient in Cantonese cooking, Shungiku is appreciated both for its ornamental beauty and its edibility. The pretty flowers are reminiscent of daisies, and are edible raw and sometimes added to salads. Young shoots and stems are also edible and strongly aromatic. Very hardy. Annual. Grows to a few feet. #1386

Elaeagnus umbellata

Autumn Olive - A hardy shrub growing to about 12-15ft bearing small, red colored fruits with a pleasing juicy-acid flavor. Fruits are high in several vitamins as well as fatty acids. Eaten raw or used in preserves. Additionally, the tree fixes nitrogen and makes an attractive landscape plant, especially when in bloom. Very hardy, to well below 0F. Can be invasive in parts of the Eastern U.S. #1372

Ephedra nevadensis

Mormon Tea - An ephedra native to the high deserts of the Western United States. Mormon Tea was once used to prepare an herbal tea, but is now used as a tough and hardy landscape oddity. Has needle-like leaves and small fleshy fruits. Hardy to well below 0F. #1392

Glycyrrhiza lepidota

American Licorice - An extremely hardy licorice native to Canada and the United States. Roots have a mildly licorice-like flavor, and can use for flavoring. It is a short shrub, usually to 2-3ft and a very tough plant, capable of growing in pretty much any soil. Perennial. #1387

Helichrysum italicum

Curry Plant - A pleasant little gardne perennial with an appearance reminiscent of lavender leaves. The Curry Plant has strongly scented leaves that smell of curry. The leaves are sometimes used as a seasoning and have some medicinal uses. Not to be confused with the Indian Curry tree, Murraya koenegii. #1390

Lotus tetragonolobus

Winged Pea - A small annual with edible seed pods used much like peas. Pods are eaten raw or cooked and have a flavor resembling asparagus. Popularly used in salads and soups. Short plant to about a foot. Hardy in all climates. Nitrogen fixed. #1398

Magnolia soulangiana

Saucer Magnolia - The majestic magnolia, known for its large flowers that measure several inches across. The fragrant flowers bloom during spring, with elegant white and pink petals. This medium sized tree is popular as a street tree for its uniform appearance and growth pattern. Grows to 15-25ft. Hardy to 0F and below. 5 seeds per pack. #1075

Mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal - A type of mint, famously once used as a flavoring and for a variety of medicinal purposes. Ground dwelling, vining plant with highly aromatic leaves. Often used as a groundcover. The oil is an abortifactant and should not be ingested by pregnant women. Hardy to frosts, but can be grown anywhere as an annual. #1373

Nigella sativa

Black Caraway, Black Cumin - A small annual native to Asia with seeds that are used as a spice. The seeds are typically used in candies and in some types of naan bread. Black Caraway grows to about 1ft and will grow pretty much anywhere. #1368

Ocimum americanum

Lemon Basil - An African-native basil (despite the name) with lemon-basil scented and flavored leaves. Flowers are whitish lavender. Adds a nice subtle, citrusy flavor to any dish. Basil is an important spice and is used as a common flavoring to enhance many foods. Highly aromatic leaves. Easy to grow. #1347

Ocimum americanum

Lime Basil - A great cooking basil from Thailand, Lime Basil has a great tangy, citrusy basil flavor. Very popular in southeast Asian cuisine. Basil is an important spice and is used as a common flavoring to enhance many foods. Highly aromatic leaves. Easy to grow. Annual. #1364

Ocimum basilicum

Indian Basil - Also known as Subja Basil, this is one of the most popular basil's of India, used in a variety of ways. The plant is used medicinally and as a spice, but also finds a unique niche as its seeds are a main ingredient of a type of milkshake called falloda. Features long, purple inflorescences. Grows to 1-2ft. Easy to grow. Annual. #2125

Ocimum basilicum

Licorice Basil - An uncommon basil with a rich licorice-anise like aroma mixed with classic basil. The leaves provide a unique flavor to cooked foods. Grows to 1-2ft. Highly aromatic leaves. Easy to grow. Annual. #1396

Ocimum basilicum

Red Rubin Basil - Derived from Purple Opal Basil, this edible beauty is best-known for its deep purple-red leaves. The flavor is quite good and stronger than many typical basils. High aromatic. Grows to 18". Easy to grow. Annual. #2119

Panax ginseng

Korean Ginseng - An important medicinal herb native to Asia. This species is a variety popular in Korea and is used for a wide range of medicinal purposes. Ginseng has a long history of use in Asia, especially as a general health tonic to promote vigor and longevity. The plant is hardy to well below 0F, zone 3. A tea is made from the roots and the leaves. Grows particularly well in shaded areas. 8 undried seeds per pack. #2117

Pinus thunbergii

Japanese Black Pine - A tough and reasonably hardy ornamental pine tree native to Asia. Trees generally grow to 20-30ft, making a nice, more compact type of pine. Very drought tolerant. Has dark green, stiff needles. Hardy to freezes and down to about 0F. #1383

Rosa arvensis

Shakespeare's Musk Rose - A trailing or vining musk rose, popular for use in some garden hybrids. Has pretty, white flowers followed by medium sized rose hips. Very hardy. #2104

Rosa pimpinellifolia

Scotch Rose - Native to Western Europe, this creamy white colored rose is popular as a hardy ornamental. At home in coastal locations, this short deciduous plant generally reaches only 1-2ft. Cream-white flowers bloom, meausuring 1-2", followed by dark purple rose hip fruits. Very hardy. #2109

Tetragonia tetragonoides

New Zealand Spinach - A short perennial with a ground-cover like habit whose edible leaves are used much like spinach. The young leaves are quite tasty, with a spinach-like flavor and contain a number of nutrients. Very easy to grow as an annual or perennial. #1395

Thymus pulegioides

Mother of Thyme - A broad-leaved thyme with an aromatic, lemony flavor and pink flowers during summer. The leaves are great in cooking and add a distinct and delightful flavor to foods. Low-growing, creeping growth habit. Annual. #1381

Common Name
and Description

Livistona rotundifolia

Footstool Palm - A tropical type of Fan Palm and one of the fastest growing palms in the world. Often planted in tropical regions as an ornamental, for its large, fan shaped leaves. Not hardy to frosts. Native to rainforests of southeast Asia. #1210

Washingtonia filifera

California Fan Palm - A tall and stately palm native to the desert oases of the southwestern United States. A majestic tree, it is sometimes used as a street tree and can grow to 90ft, though they are usually shorter. They are very hardy plants, surviving to 15F and weathering extreme heat. Drought tolerant. #1212

Common Name
and Description

Aristolochia elegans

Calico Vine - A beautiful ornamental vine with 2-3", somewhat circular, calico red-brown and white flowers. Easily grown, the species also attracts butterflies. Hardy to some frost, can be invasive in certain tropical areas, e.g. South Florida. #417