Want to grow unique and ususual plants in your garden? Then this page is for you! Here are a few of the interesting garden plants we grow in our gardens.
FT04 Cheddar Hybrid Cauliflower A very unique cauliflower! Contains 7.57 ppm beta carotene. If you grow this new cauliflower, it will likely be the topic of conversation at your dinner table the first time you serve it. The orange curds have great taste whether cooked or raw. Brightens up a relish tray, and does not lose it's orange color when cooked. For maximum color intensity, do not tie- up the leaves. Suggest it be transplanted to the garden in August for fall harvest in areas where summers are hot. Limited seeds, we can only sell 10 per customer at this time. 10 seeds per package $2.15
2525 Giant Walking Stick Cabbage Brassica oleracea longata. 180-300 days to a walking stick. These unique plants have produced walking sticks for centuries. Plant 40 inches apart early in the spring. With good growing practices, the slender stem grows straight and strong. Allow it to harden in the garden. In late January or February pull the plants, cut off the roots and crown, and hang indoors to dry. When it feels solid like a baseball bat it is ready. Cannot ship to IA 15 seeds per package $2.15
2619 Mexican Yam ( Jicama pachyrhyzus ) The growing popularity of Mexican food has popularized this root vegetable in the United States. Jicama is a white-fleshed tuber that can weigh from half a pound to five pounds or more. Shaped like a turnip, it has a thin brown skin and crisp, juicy flesh similar to a fine apple. Its bland flavor enables jicama to be used in a variety of ways. Although jicama can be used in some of the same ways as a potato, it is less starchy and lower in calories (a cup of sliced jicama has about 50 calories). The vegetable is a good source of vitamin C, and also contains some potassium, iron, and calcium. Jicama, yam bean, Mexican potato, or Mexican turnip has been eaten in Central America for many centuries, and is now a common commodity in U.S. stores. The crop is cultivated in frost-free climates, grown in rows from seeds, and within a year this vine is harvested for its large taproot. To eat jicama, only the fibrous brownish peel must be removed. 20 seeds per package $2.95
2930 Rat-Tailed Radish ( Raphanus sativus ) Native to South Asia. Plants are literally covered with crisp fleshy edible tapered seedpods that are thicker than a pencil and 4-6" long. Pods should be gathered before fully grown. Pods can be eaten raw, or good when chopped in salads. Not grown for the roots. 50 days. 50 seeds per package $2.15
2515 Peruvian Ground Cherry Physalis peruviana Also known as Cape Gooseberry. The fruit are yellow/orange and enclosed by a papery husk. They drop off the plant when ripe and can store for several months. They are eaten raw, dried, preserved and stewed. Try them in salads, pies, sauces, jams and compotes. They may be dipped into icing or chocolate. The fruits can also be dried on the plant for a “raisin”. The plants are 2’x 3-4’. Space 12” apart in rows 3-4’ apart. Cultivate them like tomatoes. They are tolerant of drought but produce better when watered. Cannot ship to ID 10 seeds per package $1.95
2228N Little Lucy Dwarf Red Okra An okra plant you can grow in containers! Little Lucy Hybrid 55 days. The first-ever dwarf red Okra! Gleaming burgundy pods on 2-foot plant are almost too beautiful to eat! Best of all, it grows all over the U.S.! 3-inch yellow and purple blooms are followed by 4- to 41/2-inch pods, held above maroon-veined foliage. Also at home in beds and borders. This is a wonderful patio plant. 25 seeds per package $3.95
2927 Asparagus Pea ( Lotus tetragonolobus ) This legume is not related to either asparagus or peas. Mentioned as early as 1734 by Philip Miller, one of the earliest garden writers. The pods are best when eaten small (under 1") and are good steamed or added to other vegetables. Thrives in poor soil. Beautiful purple flowers. Plants are low growing and spread laterally along the ground. Edible podded, 60-75 days. 20 seeds per package $2.25
2383 Sunberry Solanum Burbankii Bred in the early 1900s by Luther Burbank, who called it Sunberry and lamented it being renamed Wonderberry by the dealer who purchased and introduced it. Critics immediately claimed Burbank had simply reintroduced S. nigrum, Garden Huckleberry, as a new plant. Burbank said it was the result of many years of crossing of Solanum guinense (a species native to Africa) and S. villosum (indigenous to Europe). Sunberry’s fruits are blue, slightly sweet and slightly larger than a pea. Said by its admirers to rival and even surpass Blueberries. Truly historic variety. 10 seeds per package $1.95
2061 Golden Giant Amaranth Amaranthus hypochondriacus 6-7 ft. Tender Annual/Reseeding. A striking plant with gold leaves and stems. Produces several ounces of white seeds per plant. Salad quality leaves are best eaten young, either raw or steamed. A bright ornamental that attracts birds to the garden. Sow directly when soil is warm and danger of frost has passed. For earlier crop, plant in flats, transplanting when 4-8 inches tall. Harvesting tips. For cut flowers, pick at the peak of bloom. For use as grain, leave heads on plants until they drop a few seeds. Dry for about a week until brittle. Package of 50+ seeds $2.50
FT10 Boule d'Or French Melon Also called Golden Perfection Melon, this Famous French melon listed by Vilmorin in 1885. Hard yellow skin, lightly netted, pale-green flesh is an absolute delight. Fruits will keep for several weeks if kept cool and dry. Very hard to fine. Fragrant, sure to be a new favorite. 95-110 days. Package of 10 seeds $2.15
2063 Amish Muskmelon An Amish favorite for generations. (80-90 days) This Amish heirloom has 4-7 pound fruits with deep markings on the skin and thick deep orange flesh. Dependable growth in almost any condition. Package of 10 seeds $1.95
1A115 Spanish Toadskin Melon Rare heirloom melon from Spain. 110 days. Oval, 8" long fruit, skin mottled green and yellow, somewhat like a toad’s skin. Sweet, white flesh has a very good taste. Package of 10 seeds $2.95
2215 Queen Ann Pocket Melon 75 days. Beautiful, ornamental fruit are yellow with deep orange stripes, and only 2”-3" long! They are grown for their wonderful fragrance! A single melon can fill a room with fragrance. These melons were very popular in Victorian gardens, and have been our most requested melon. Package of 10 seeds $2.95
FT07 Mexican Sour Gherkin Say adios to vinegar - this little 'pickle' doesn't need a jar! 60 - 70 days. Generous yields of 1 to 2" fruits look like miniature watermelons, and even actually fall off the vines when ripe. Sweet cucumber flavor, followed by a surprising sourness, lead you to believe they are already pickled! Excellent variety for trellises. Package of 10 seeds $2.45
2928 Miniature White Cucumber Great miniature yellowish-white eating cucumber. Sweet flavor, no need to peel. Very productive, vines rarely exceed 3' in length. Fruits are best eaten raw when they are under 3" long. Extremely popular. 50-55 days. $2.25 ( 15 seeds per pack )
2066 Baby Round Zucchini Summer Squash This is one zucchini squash that won't produce enough for a small army. This delightful French heirloom is not available in stores, but well worth the trouble to grow. The 1" to 5" round fruit can be stuffed, steamed, and eaten as any summer squash. The flowers are a real culinary treat. Package of 15 seeds $1.95
1A111 Japanese Red Kuri Squash (Hokkaido) 92 days. A red-orange Japanese winter squash, fruit are 5-10 lbs. each and teardrop-shaped. The golden flesh is smooth, dry, sweet and rich, a great yielding and keeping variety. Package of 10 seeds $2.95
2216 Black Japanese Futsu Squash Rare, black Japanese squash, the fruit is flattened, round and has heavy ribbing. Very unique and beautiful. The black fruit will turn a rich chestnut color in storage. Flesh is golden color and has the rich taste of hazelnuts. Fruits are 3-8 lbs. each and vines give huge yields. Popular with European market growers. Good insect resistance. Package of 5 seeds $1.95
1A114 Italian Rogosa Violina Butternut Squash An Italian Butternut-type squash, these have a violin shape and wrinkled tan skin, the flesh is deep orange and sweet, perfect for desserts, roasting, stuffing and baking. Package of 10 seeds $2.95
GA41 American Tonda Pumpkin A beautiful, ornamental pumpkin that has orange skin with green stripes between the ribbing, they weigh 4-6 lbs. each. Package of 5 seeds $2.95
GA43 Amish Purple Popcorn Popular with the Amish; beautiful ears with lovely purple kernels; perfect for popping or as an ornamental crop. Package of 50 seeds $2.95
2226 Chichiquelite Huckleberry (Solanum nigrum) Sweet purple berries are great fresh or cooked. They are much like Garden Huckleberry but are larger in size and give heavier yields. Very easy cultivation; start seeds and grow like pepper plants, just 75 days to harvest. Package of 20 seeds $1.95
2067 German Beer Radish Munchner Bier. A favorite snack radish in Germany. Crisp white flesh, oval shaped radish. 52 days. 1/4 teaspoon package $1.95
GO18 Coffee Chickory Chichorium An easy to grow coffee substitute costing pennies per pound. The large roots are roasted and ground to make a delicious caffeine free drink. Package of 20 seeds $2.00
G024 Broomcorn Although still used as broomstock, this is primarily grown for fall decorations. Small pack $1.95
G029 Luffa ( Washrag Gourd ) We offer this quaint plant because of the many requests we have had for it. The dried insides of the fruit do make good sponges. Package of 12 seeds $1.95
G035 Catura Coffee Arabica catura A coffee plant that requires no tree shading and is a very heavy producer. Should be raised for houseplants even if you don't like coffee. For warm climates outside. Package of 5 seeds $2.50
G037 Improved Red Pod Okra Finally, a great tasting red pod okra that is fast growing and bountiful. The foliage and fruit have a lush, tropical appearance. Package of 20 seeds $1.95
G040 Pickling Dill Dill is very easy to grow and is used to flavor pickles, salads, soups and more. To harvest Dill, cut flowering stems when in full bloom. Spread out to dry on trays. When dry, rub off flowers and stems and discard the stems. Store the flowers and stems in an airtight container until ready to use. Package of 100 seeds $1.50
1A050 Delicious Italian Dandelion A new type of green that is taking green lovers by storm. The large leaves are more tasty and nutritious than any green you've ever tried. Sample pack $1.95
GO55 Banana Cantaloupe A new type of garden melon with an exotic banana shape, pink colored flesh and a very sweet taste! Package of 10 seeds $2.00
G057 Hanging Basket Cucumber The perfect cucumber for small areas. Will produce loads of fruit when grown in hanging baskets or patio containers. Tasty cukes are straight and 5-8" in length. Package of 20 seeds $1.95
GO71 Cassabanana Sicana odorifera Long slender orange fruits 1-2 ft. long borne on a long trailing vine over forty foot long. Very fragrant, sweet fruits that are eaten raw, cooked or preserved. Also used as an insect repelling room perfume. Eating the fruit is said to prevent tonsillitis. Package of 2 seeds $2.00
GO72 Mosquito Plant Agastache cana This hardy perennial will provide you with sweetly scented foliage and large 1" rosy-purple flowers. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The crushed foliage rubbed on the skin is said to repel mosquitoes. Package of 10 seeds $2.00
GO75 Gourmet Yellow Popcorn For popcorn lovers, this is the corn for you. Matures early, is comparable to supermarket popcorn, is easy to grow and makes huge kernels of popcorn when popped. Package of 25 seeds $2.50
G076 Peppermint Eucalyptus You should definitely grow this wonderful plant for cut flowers, dried arrangements and potpourri. The foliage has a strong peppermint fragrance. Pot grow in northern states. Package of 10 seeds $1.95
G111 Hangover Plant Scutellaria Got a friend or neighbor who parties a bit too much or suffers from headaches? Raise a few of these plants for them. An extract of the plant will give immediate relief for a hangover. A good border plant growing to 18" with a profusion of light blue flowers. Package of 5 seeds $2.50
G134 Spanish Licorice Glycyrrhiza echinata Very similar to True Licorice in taste and uses. Grows to 4' with purple flowers. This is a must plant for anyone with a sweet tooth trying to cut down on their sugar intake. Package of 5 seeds $2.50
G150 Bright Red French Pumpkin Most unusual!. A brilliant bright red pumpkin that is shaped flat and resembles a bright red cheese wheel more than a pumpkin. The 12-16 lb. fruits produce a sweet orange flesh that is great for pumpkin pies. A definite must for fall decorations. Package of 5 seeds $1.95
G160 Spaghetti Squash A fast maturing winter squash producing 4-5 lb fruits. Bake in oven, split open and remove the "spaghetti" and top with your favorite sauce, delicious! Package of 10 seeds 10 seeds $1.95
G185 Fancy French Pickling Cucumber A different type of cuke that is longer and slimmer than the ones we normally grow. Although they can be pickled when mature, they are fantastic when pickled finger size as "baby cukes". Also very good for salads and snacks raw. Package of 20 seeds $1.95
G205 Giant Water Laddle Gourd Larger and faster growing than most gourds of this type. Harvest mature fruit, let shell dry, then coat with varnish and you have a great water laddle or decoration. Package of 10 seeds $1.95
D9605 True Irish Shamrock Trifolium repens minor No type of Irish celebration would be completes with out a few of the familiar shamrocks around. Can be started inside anytime of the year. Package of 40 seeds $2.50
D9613 Potato Tree Solanum macranthum Shrubby ornamental with 2" star shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. Very ornamental plant that should be grown for its appearance. Fruits are small and oval shaped. Package of 5 seeds $2.50
VJ376 Bread Seed Poppy A new low-morphine poppy for seed. Bears solitary, pastel blossoms on tall stalks, followed by large seed pods which produce seeds for baking when mature. This variety is specially produced for extremely low morphine content, having less than 0.01% in the dried seed capsule. Package of 50 seeds $1.95
GA02 Strawberry Spinach A green that is grown and eaten like spinach, but also bears small strawberries on the stems of the plant. This plant has been around for over 400 years and was a favorite of English Monks long ago. Smaller, thinner leaves than ordinary spinach, with abundance of thumbnail size fruits which are edible. about 50 seeds per pack $2.95
GA04 Sugar Cane ( Sorghum Variety, Rox Orange ) Not to be confused with sugar cane grass grown in Florida ( Saccharum ) for sugar production. The "sugar" refers to the sweet variety of this cane compared to types grown only for forage. Grow this old time sorghum favorite for forage or syrup, pieces of mature cane heart can be chewed like candy. Grow same culture as corn, but prefers well drained sandy loam. Grows to 8 ft. tall and matures in about 110 days. Can be cut for silage after 70-80 days, or be used for livestock grain if left to full maturity. Best adapted to well drained loam. Will mature in any area with a long enough growing season for corn. ( about 200 seeds per pack)$2.95
1A118 Hegari Heirloom Sorghum This old standard variety is a favorite for forage and bird food. Large heads of chalky white seeds and the leaves are sweeter, making it a favorite browse and wildlife plot food. ( 1 Tablespoon seeds per pack ) $1.95
2294 Valentine Radish ( Watermelon Radish ) A large, round, Japanese, white-skinned radish with dark green shoulders and bright pink/red flesh. Valentine/Watermelon radish grows to be 3º" in diameter and is best harvested in Fall or Winter. When cut top to bottom, each slice resembles a Valentine. $2.95 per 5cc pack ( 100+ seeds per pack )
2351 Cocono ( Solanum topiro ) This can be raised in the garden or inside in tubs if given bright light. This very interesting fruit is covered with a light down and looks like an eggplant. It is a relative to the eggplant but its a juicy, tart fruit. It is eaten stewed, as fresh fruit, as a drink, or fried Tropica. $2.95 ( 10 seeds per pack )
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