Flower Seeds

Asclepias speciosa. Native to western and central North America (including BC's Okanagan region), Showy Milkweed is the plant at the center of Monarch butterfly conservation efforts. This is the particular species of milkweed that the Monarch caterpillars feed on after hatching, so it is highly prized by egg-laying adults. The flowers are notoriously generous with nectar, so they attract a host of other butterfly species, as well as bees, hummingbirds, and many other pollinators. The plants grow to around 90cm (36") tall, with greyish green foliage topped by spherical clusters of pink flowers. Once the seed pods form, they can be cut and dried to good effect. Plant Showy Milkweed seeds anywhere to help with pollinator conservation.

Note: This species spreads by self-seeding as well as spreading its rhizomatous roots. In favorable settings, it can spread aggressively. For this reason, we recommend it for larger containers or for areas where it can be controlled through regular pruning. To avoid self-sowing, simply cut the seed pods off before they mature.

Showy Milkweed also happens to be pretty much deer-proof.

Perennial

Agastache foeniculum. With heavily licorice-scented leaves and tall spikes of edible lavender flowers, Licorice Mint has been used medicinally for generations. It also happens to be one of the key suppliers of nectar to Skippers and other butterflies and is highly attractive to bees. A beautiful non-invasive mint for the corner of the garden. Also known as Anise Hyssop. Agastache seeds grow to heights of 120cm (48").

Companion Planting: Agastache is fragrant and highly attractive to pollinating insects. Plant a row of Agastache away from the garden to lure cabbage moths away from Brassica crops. Avoid planting near radishes.

Perennial

Spencer Giant Mix Sweet Peas grow a beautiful mixture of sweetly scented flowers. This heat tolerant variety is widely used for beautiful flower arrangements and garden decorations.

Growing Information: Safe for bees & good for pollinators

Days to Germination: 10 to 14 days

Grows Best In: Full Sun

Growing Height: 2.1m (7')

Royal Family Sweet Peas have long sturdy stems loaded with huge blooms. The ruffled tissue-like flowers bloom in a colorful range of purples, pinks, reds, and white. Features a lovely fragrance and exceptionally long lasting blooms. This variety is ideal for growing on trellises.

Growing Information: Safe for bees & good for pollinators

Days to Germination: 10 to 14 days

Grows Best In: Full Sun

Growing Height: 2.1m (7')

Viola cornuta. Pink and maroon tipped petals surround a bright yellow centre streaked with distinctive black markings. Rose Antique Gem are hybrid pansies that are heat tolerant, but also have strong overwintering ability. Flowering occurs in early spring through late May, and again in the fall, into early winter. Masses of flowers appear atop short plants that only grow 15-25cm (6-10”) tall. This is a good candidate for containers or edging, and it looks great around the edges of raised vegetable beds. The flowers are edible, and are sensational if they are candied before adding to fancy desserts.

Viola cornuta. These perky little flowers are old-fashioned heirloom favourites and look like miniature pansies with lavender, yellow, and white faces. Direct seed Johnny Jump Up viola seeds from April to July. Sow seeds 0.6cm (0.25") deep, and they should germinate in 12-14 days. Johnny Jump Up viola seeds self sow fairly readily, but they do not take over, and can be easily raked under if unwanted. These look rather good in containers, and their flowers are edible. If you want to try your hand at making candied violets, Johnny Jump Ups are the place to start. Or simply pick some of the fresh flowers and scatter them over salads and summer meals.

Hardy Annual

Viola cornuta. We loved this petite pansy as soon as it bloomed, and it bloomed in the first year, over a long period. Just 14 to 16 weeks after seeding, its small, very dark, and flat-faced flowers began to appear. With regular deadheading Back to Black just blooms and blooms. The foliar growth is vigorous, but the stature of the plants remains compact at about 15cm (6") tall. It would look great in containers or window boxes, but it takes on a wonderful appearance in mass plantings. The flowers are actually very deep purple, but so deep that they appear black from a few feet away. Each delicate flower is streaked in the centre by a brush of golden yellow. The edible flower petals look amazing scattered on ice cream. Sow in early spring for summer flowers, or as late as July for winter blooms. It's hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

Perennial

This new hybrid dwarf sunflower produces no pollen, but blooms up to three times in a season with as many as twenty flowers per plant. The 13-15cm (5-6") flowers produced by Suntastic sunflower seeds have brilliant yellow petals surrounding a dark black disc that will appeal to florists and home gardeners alike. Bred for container growing, this All America Selections winner is ideal for patio growing, and will provide continuous colour all summer. It begins to bloom just 65 days after sowing, so it's way earlier than most other sunflowers in its class. Suntastic sets a new standard for dwarf sunflowers, and looks great in window boxes or mass plantings in the garden bed.

Annual

Tropaeolum minus. The flat-faced flowers of Black Velvet Nasturtium face upwards, and are held above the pale green foliage. The flowers themselves are such a rich, dark shade of mahogany, they appear almost black from any distance. This compact Nasturtium is perfect for container growing, and it blooms continuously throughout the summer. The edible flowers look sensational as garnishes, and bring a peppery kick to salad mixes.

Annual

Lavatera trimestris. Stunning the garden, these snowy white mallows make excellent cut flowers. Gleaming white, massive 10cm (4") wide flowers glow in the moonlight. Aptly named Mont Blanc for its profuse blooms on a compact plant growing up to 90cm (36") tall earns this fast growing annual a place in the flower bed, front and centre. Mont Blanc Lavatera seeds are easy to grow, very hardy, and bloom from mid summer to frost. This fast growing plant works well in containers on their own, but even better in mass plantings. Try growing some at the end of your patio, where they can be enjoyed at night in the moonlight.

Annual

Tropaeolum minus. This sumptuous mixture includes flowers from solid blood red to cream with red flecks and edges. Bloody Mary Nasturtium seeds produce low growing, clump-forming plants with darker than average leaves. The edible flowers are typically spicy, but also have a certain sweetness. This annual works well in containers, and blooms continuously from June to August. It was a very popular hit in our summer trials, and drew a lot of attention.

Annual

The Wildflower mixture is made up of 10 species, approximately 50% annuals and 50% perennials. These attractive flowers are designed to grow and do very well in most areas. This mix may grow to a height of 36 inches.

Seeding rate: 0.25 lb/1,000 sq.ft.

Pennisetum glaucum. With its cousins Purple Majesty and Jade Princess, Copper Prince Millet is the very picture of ornamental grass. The golden green foliage darkens at the points most exposed to the sun, becoming more mahogany in tone. About mid summer, the rush-like panicles begin to emerge, rising to a height of 90cm (36"). They become bushier and bushier and then form a layer of densely packed, dark brown seeds. This grass looks tantalizing in mass plantings or rows used to define garden edges. But it is decorative enough to warrant individual specimens in patio containers. It was a hit in our field trials.

Annual.

Taiyo Organic sunflower seeds are a Certified Organic Japanese variety with very large, single 20-30cm (8-12") wide flowers on sturdy stems that grow to 1.8-2m (5-6') tall. Rich yellow petals surround Taiyo's dark chocolate centre. This sunflower looks absolutely fantastic in large plantings and makes wonderful cut flowers. We recommend planting at least one variety of sunflowers, particularly if you are growing squash, or any crop that is insect pollinated. Nothing seems to improve fruit set on zucchinis better than simply companion planting with some sunflowers. The bees will come from miles around to visit the sunflower, and will take care of all the other open flowers during their visits.

Hardy Annual (HA)