Deadline for requests: 11:59 pm EST on November 25, 2013
Edit 11/24/13: Due to an overwhelming number of requests, the following seeds are no longer available: Asclepias speciosa, Euphorbia marginata, Lindera benzoin, Nicotiana (collected from “Pink Mutabilis”), Nigella damascena ‘Cramers’ Plum’, Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’, Pavonia missionum, Phlomis tuberosa, Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’, Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’, Stachys officinalis ‘Alba’, and Trachelium caeruleum ‘Black Knight’
Well, my friends, I’m delighted to once again have the opportunity to thank you for being loyal readers by sharing some of the bounty of my garden with you. I’ve been gathering, cleaning, and packing up seeds for months now, and I have over a hundred cool things for you to choose from this year. There are ornamentals and edibles; annuals, perennials, woody plants, vines, grasses, and vegetables; garden plants and meadow denizens; and exotics and U.S. natives – so, something for everyone, I think!
I have more to say about how this all works, but if I were in your place, I’d want to see the list first and read all the blah, blah, blah later. So for now, have fun going through the offerings and making your wish list. (By the way, you can click on each image to see the full-sized version of the picture.) As you will see, each offering includes a brief description. This is just the basics, though, so I encourage you to use your favorite search engine to get more in-depth information about the plants you’re interested in and how best to grow them in your particular area and growing conditions.
At this point, I can’t promise how many packets I’ll be able to send each of you, so I encourage you to ask for several things (up to around 10); that way, I’ll have options if I run out of some of your top choices. As you make your list, you may want to put a star next to the ones you want most, because I’ll ask you to list your requests in order of preference (those you want the most first). I think that’s all you need to know for the moment; now, enjoy!
ANNUALS
Unless otherwise noted, these annuals flower from early or midsummer into fall.
PERENNIALS
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Allium cernuum (nodding onion) |
nodding heads of pink flowers in midsummer (collected from very pale pink clump); 12 to 18 inches tall; U.S. native; full sun to light shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas bluestar) |
clusters of small, pale blue flowers in late spring, yellow/orange fall color; 3 to 4 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun to partial shade; Zones 4 to 9 | |
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Aquilegia ‘Heart of Gold’ (‘Heart of Gold’ columbine) |
single flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white in late spring; bright yellow foliage; 12 to 18 inches tall; Zones 3 to 9 (guessing); strain named by Barbara P. of Mr. McGregor’s Daughter |
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Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed) |
clusters of starry, pale pink flowers in early to midsummer; broad, gray-green leaves; 18 to 36 inches tall; spreads freely by rhizomes; U.S. native; full sun; Zones 3 to 9 |
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Asphodeline lutea (king’s spear) |
starry yellow flowers on 3- to 4-foot-tall stems in late spring to early summer; clumps of grassy, blue-green leaves to about 1 foot tall; full sun to light shade; Zones 6 to 9 |
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Digitalis ferruginea (rusty foxglove) |
slender spikes of small, pale yellowish orange flowers in early to midsummer; 3 to 4 feet tall; full sun to partial shade; Zones 4 to 9 |
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Digitalis grandiflora (yellow foxglove) |
soft yellow bells in late spring to early summer; 2 to 3 feet tall; partial shade; Zones 3 to 8 |
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Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane) |
tiny but abundant, white daisies that age to pink bloom from early summer well into fall; 6 to 12 inches tall; full sun to light shade; may self-sow; annual here (hardy in Zones 7 to 10) |
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Eryngium giganteum (Miss Willmott’s ghost) |
silvery gray flowers in summer; 3 to 4 feet tall; full sun; dies after flowering but will self-sow; Zones 5 to 9 |
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Eryngium yuccifolium (rattlesnake master) |
ball-shaped clusters of white flowers in mid- to late summer; spiky grayish green leaves; 4 to 5 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun; Zones 3 to 8 |
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Eupatorium hyssopifolium (hyssop-leaved thoroughwort) |
airy heads of white flowers from late summer into fall; very slender leaves; 2 to 3 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun; Zones 4 to 8; spreads by rhizomes |
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Helenium puberulum (rosilla) |
small bronzy brown globes above a tiny ruff of yellow petals from midsummer into fall; 2 to 3 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun; Zones 6 to 9 |
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Hibiscus laevis (halberd-leaved hibiscus) |
soft pink, single flowers in late summer; yellow fall color; 4 to 6 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun; likes moist soil; Zones 4 to 9 |
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Lespedeza capitata (round-headed bush clover) |
rounded clusters of small, creamy white flowers in mid- to late summer; seedheads last through winter; 3 to 5 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun to light shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Parthenium integrifolium (wild quinine) |
white flowers from early or midsummer to late summer or early fall; 3 to 4 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Patrinia scabiosifolia (golden lace) |
open umbels of small, bright yellow flowers in late summer to early fall; leaves turn shades of orange and red in fall; 4 to 6 feet tall; full sun to partial shade; Zones 4 to 9 |
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Penstemon digitalis (foxglove penstemon) |
spikes of white flowers in early summer; red to maroon fall foliage color; 2 to 4 feet tall; U.S. native (provenance Milford Township, Bucks County, PA); full sun to light shade; Zones 3 to 8 |
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Phlomis tuberosa (tuberous Jerusalem sage) |
tiered whorls of pink flowers in early summer; dry into long-lasting seedheads; 4 to 5 feet tall; full sun to light shade; Zones 4 or 5 to 10 |
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Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Axminster Streaked’ (‘Axminster Streaked’ balloon flower) |
puffed-up buds open to purple-blue flowers speckled and streaked with variable amounts of white in mid- to late summer (some seedlings may be solid-colored); yellow-to-red fall color; 12 to 18 inches tall; full sun to partial shade; Zones 3 or 4 to 8 |
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Porteranthus stipulatus (American ipecac, Indian physic) |
abundant, small, white flowers in early summer; lacy green leaves turn deep red in fall; U.S. native; 2 to 3 feet tall; full sun to partial shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (narrow-leaved mountain mint) |
clusters of tiny, white flowers through much of the summer; needle-like green leaves are intensely mint-scented; 2 to 3 feet tall; seems to be a less vigorous spreader than many mountain mints; U.S. native (provenance Milford Township, Bucks County, PA); full sun to partial shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Rudbeckia maxima (giant coneflower) |
large, yellow, daisy-form flowers with elongated, dark centers in midsummer atop 5- to 6-foot-tall stems; basal clump of broad, gray-blue leaves; U.S. native; full sun; likes moist soil but adaptable; Zones 4 to 9 |
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Ruta graveolens ‘Variegata’ (variegated rue) |
greenish yellow flowers mostly in early summer; blue-green leaves with irregular cream splashes; markings are most noticeable in cool weather, disappearing in summer heat; 1 to 2 feet tall; full sun; Zones 4 to 10 |
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Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Alba’ (white Japanese burnet) |
nodding clusters of tiny white flowers in late summer atop 5- to 7-foot-tall stems; ferny green leaves turn yellow in fall; full sun to light shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’ (purple Japanese burnet) |
arching, reddish purple flower heads atop 5- to 7-foot-tall stems; ferny green leaves turn yellow in fall; full sun to light shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Stachys officinalis ‘Alba’ (white betony) |
white flowers to about 1 foot tall in early summer; tidy clumps of deep green leaves to about 6 inches tall; full sun to partial shade; Zones 4 to 9 |
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Symphyotrichum laeve (smooth aster) |
light purple-blue daisy-form flowers from late summer into fall; 3 to 5 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun to light shade; Zones 4 to 8 |
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Verbascum ‘Governor George Aiken’ (‘Governor George Aiken’ mullein) |
spikes of white flowers to 6 feet tall in early to midsummer; fuzzy, silvery leaves; full sun; Zones 4 to 9 (guessing); usually biennial; from reader Alice B. |
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Vernonia lettermannii (narrow-leaved ironweed) |
clustered, bright purple flowers in early fall; slender green leaves; 24 to 30 inches tall; U.S. native; full sun; Zones 4 to 9 |
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Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s root) |
slender, spiky clusters of white flowers in midsummer; long-lasting seedheads; 5 to 7 feet tall; U.S. native; full sun to light shade; prefers moist soil; Zones 3 to 8 |
GRASSES
A note about growing grasses from seed: be aware that if you can grow a grass from seed, it can grow itself from seed. In other words, any of these have the potential to self-sow. Well, ok, the corns usually don’t, but the others can—sometimes to the point of being a problem, depending on where you live and where in your garden you’re growing them—so I suggest that you to do some research on those you think you want to try. I don’t want to discourage you from growing them; obviously, I grow them all myself and like them enough to think of sharing them!
EDIBLES
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Amaranth ‘Hopi Red Dye’ (Amaranthus ‘Hopi Red Dye’) |
leaves, stems, and flower plumes are all deep red; young leaves are edible; mature plant is also very ornamental; can reach 6 to 7 feet tall; full sun; annual |
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Garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium) |
ferny young leaves and bright yellow flowers are edible; full sun; annual; plants were grown from seed collected in China by botanical explorer Joseph Simcox |
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Lima bean ‘Alma’s PA Dutch Purple Burgundy’ (Phaseolus lunatus ‘Alma’s PA Dutch Purple Burgundy’) |
green pods produce deep reddish purple seeds; vining; full sun; annual |
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Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’ (Brassica juncea ‘Ruby Streaks’) |
deeply cut, deep purple leaves; best in cool weather; full sun to light shade; annual |
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Okra ‘Bowling Red’ (Abelmoschus esculentus ‘Bowling Red’) |
hibiscus-like, pale yellow flowers; long, slender, deep red pods; full sun; annual; from Dee N. of Red Dirt Ramblings |
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Okra ‘Hill Country Red’ (Abelmoschus esculentus ‘Hill Country Red’) |
hibiscus-like, pale yellow flowers; chunky, reddish pods; full sun; annual; from Dee N. of Red Dirt Ramblings |
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Pretzel bean (Vigna unguiculata ‘Pretzel Bean’) |
cream-to-pale-purple flowers; curled, green pods that are tough but edible; probably best eaten as seeds (a.k.a. cowpea or black-eyed pea); also ornamental; vining; annual; full sun |
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Red noodle bean (Vigna unguiculata ‘Red Noodle’) |
cream-to-pale-purple flowers; long, maroon pods are edible but even better as an ornamental; vining; annual; full sun |
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Stem lettuce [celtuce] (Lactuca sativa var. asparagina) |
long, slender green leaves; thickened stems are also edible when peeled; annual; full sun to light shade; plants were grown from seed collected in central China by botanical explorer Joseph Simcox |
ODDS AND ENDS
Last, a bunch of things that ended up in the miscellaneous category for a variety of reasons: they may be very limited in quantity (as in 5 packets or less), be very slow to germinate, produce unpredictable offspring, have questionable IDs, or just be plain weird.
Whew! Good for you to make it this far. I hope you had as much fun making your choices as I did gathering them. Now, here are the details on how this works.
How much do the seeds cost?
I’m not asking for any payment or anything in trade for these seeds. My goal in doing this is simply to get cool seeds into the grubby hands of other gardeners who will sow, grow, and appreciate them. I enjoy all of these plants, but some are extra special to me because they’ve come from readers and from other bloggers; I’ve indicated these pass-along seeds in the descriptions above. If you have luck with the seeds I send you, it would make me very happy if you’d be willing to collect seeds from the plants and then pass them on your gardening friends. Quite a few of them are very hard to find or not commercially available at this time, so they need to be shared as widely as possible.
I’d also greatly appreciate getting comments or emails about how the seeds worked out for you. Obviously, I’d like to hear that they did well, but it’s also very useful to know if you didn’t have luck with them, if the plants didn’t perform well for you, or if they turned out to be different from how I described them. I do my best to make sure that I collect the seeds from the right plants, clean them well, and label them properly, but mistakes are always possible. There’s also a possibility that the plants I collected from may have crossed with other species or selections here, so the offspring might be different that either you or I expect them to be. (By the way, I’ve given provenance information on the seeds that I collected from native plants growing wild in the fields and hedgerows around here, for those of you who care about such things.)
How about postage?
Covering all the postage costs got a bit overwhelming for me last year, so I’m asking that U.S. readers send me a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope – regular or business size). When I confirm your request, I’ll let you know how many stamps I think the SASE will need (just one for most seeds, but maybe two or three if you’re requesting bulky seeds, such as corn or beans, or if you’d like to me include extra padding).
For readers outside of the U.S., I will pay for the shipping, but I probably will have to limit the total to two or three packets to keep the cost down. It will be up to you to make sure that you are legally allowed to receive the seeds you request.
How do I send in my wish list?
Leave your list in a comment below, or send it to me in an email at nan [at] hayefield [dot] com. Make sure that you include a valid email address with your request.
Please list your seed requests in the order of preference (what you want most listed first). I encourage you to ask for whatever you’re interested in, up to around 10 things, so I have plenty of alternates if I can’t provide your first choices. Please be specific: do not request “some of everything” (I know it may be tempting), “whatever is easiest” (give the annuals or edibles a try), or “whatever is left” (judging by last year’s giveaway, there won’t be much).
I will fill requests in the order I receive them, so if there’s something you desperately want, I encourage you to get your list to me as quickly as possible. I sent out nearly 400 packets last year and have twice that amount ready to go this year, but I just never know what’s going to be popular.
I will respond to your email or comment within 48 hours to confirm that I received it, and to give you the mailing address for your SASE (or to ask for your mailing address, in the case of requests outside of the U.S.).
Please mail your SASE to me by December 1, 2013. I hope to send out all the seeds by mid-December, so you should have them by the end of the month.
Where can I find out how to germinate the seeds I get?
I’d hoped to include germination advice with my description of each of these seeds, but I simply ran out of time and energy, so I’ll leave it to you do some online research on the seeds you receive. Type the botanical and/or common name into your favorite search program along with “sow” or “germinate” and you should be able to get at least some basic tips. You can also find extensive germination databases and seed-starting information at Tom Clothier’s Garden Walk and Talk.
A while back, I wrote a post called The Science of Seed Germination, about an alternative to sowing in pots or in the garden. In there, you can find links to the online versions of Dr. Norman Deno’s seed germination research: definitely worth checking out if you want to learn more about both the basics and intricacies of growing from seed.
Well, I think that’s it! Remember, the deadline for seed requests is 11:59 pm EST on November 25, 2013.
I so enjoy your blog (and stunning photos) and your books. Thank you for this generous offer for seeds. My wish list follows:
Impatiens balfouri
Arkansas bluestar
Aquilegia ‘Heart of Gold’
Asclepias speciosa
Tuberous Jerusalem sage
Rudbeckia maxima
Veronia lettermannii
Penstemon (collected from ‘Dark Towers’)
Korean feather reed grass
Frost grass
Thanks, Katie – I’ve sent you an email with the address for the SASE.
-Nan
WOW, you have outdone yourself this time, must have taken quite a while. Even put pics beside the names and descriptions. I just found out a friend of mine who used to work in the nursery business has Dr Norman Deno’s soft covers! Exciting for me. I love to grow from seed, makes my long winters more bearable! Thanks again for your generosity. I would love to try Rudebeckia “Maxima”(I have the room!), Sanguisorba tenufolia “Alba”(would look great with Zebra grass)and Papaver “Laurens Grape”,gorgeous colour and I can sprinkle them now!! I’ll send you my address, thanks again. TTFN…Sue Gilmour
Thank you, Sure; I may still have your address from last year but it would be helpful if you do send it along, just in case.
-Nan
Thank you so much for offering these seeds. I get so excited when I see a new blog from you, your pictures are amazing. Here is my wish list:
Impatiens balfouri
Ceratotheca triloba
Zea mays ‘Old Gold’
Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’
Schizachyrium scoparium
Korean feather reed grass
Penstemon [collected from ‘Dark Towers’]
Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass)
Nicotiana ‘Kim’s Gold’
Trachelium caeruleum ‘Black Knight’
Thanks, Margaret; I’ll be in touch very soon.
-Nan
What a fabulous offering from one of my garden heroes. My list:
Euphorbia marginata (Had it 20 years ago in a garden, I miss it.)
Digitalis ferriugina
Digitalis lutea
Eringium giganteum
Ruta graveoleus
Clematis viorna
Asphodeline lutea
Phlomis tuberosa
Will send my address when you ask for it. Thank you for doing this.
My pleasure, Kathryn. I’ll be in touch with the address for the SASE.
-Nan
Girl, your pictures and descriptions are so delicious I wanna stay up all night and forgo work for several days so I can compile my list…
My “lust” ;-)
1) Asphodeline lutea*
2) Phuopsis stylosa* (you had me at the “skunky” odor- perfect addition to my “Stinky Socks” bed.
3) Eryngium yuccifolium*
4) Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’*
5) Erigeron karvinskianus
6) Haloragis erecta ‘Wellington Bronze’
7) Eryngium ‘Miss Willmott’s Ghost’
8) Clematis sp. (versicolor?)
9) Phlomis tuberosa
10) Vernonia lettermanii
11) alternative : Sangisorba tenufolia ‘Purpurea’
Thank you, Nan!
Very welcome, Julie. Watch your email!
-Nan
Thanks so much for sharing your love of these plants! I so enjoy your blog!
*Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’
*Nicotiana ‘Pink Mutablis’
*Sanguisorba tenifolia ‘Purpurea’
*Sanguisorba tenifolia ‘Alba’
*Phlomis tuberosa
Aquilegia ‘Heart of Gold’
Ageratina ‘Jocius Variegate’
Stachys officinalis ‘Alba’
Zinnia ‘Soleado’
Zinnia ‘Red Spider’
It is so hard to choose!!!
It was hard for me too – that’s how I ended up with so many! I’ll be in touch by email.
-Nan
Dear Nan
As always, your post is another gift!
I would love these seeds
Gossypium herbascum nigra
Filipendula ulmaria from aurea
Zea mays old gold
Okra hill country red
Korean feather grass
Polansia dodecandra dwarf cleome
Asclepias speciousa
Patrina scabiosifolia
Ptelea triofoliata aurea
Pretzel beans!
I am digging through my seed box looking for something to share! Do you have any wooded shade. I have some arisaema triffolium native jack in the pulpit , also some heuchera villosa autumn bride. I also have asclepias silky gold from a commercial source. Let me know
Thanks you so much for the offer.. And all of you wonderful sharing.
Ellen
I’ll be in touch soon, Ellen!
-Nan
I’ve read several of your books and have followed your blog for a couple of years, it’s always a great inspiration for plant combinations. This is such a generous offer, thank you so much. My wish list would be
papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’
patrinia scabiosifolia
penstemon (from ‘Dark Towers’)
I’m happy to send a SASE from Toronto, no reason you should have to bear the mailing cost. Looking forward to getting your address.
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy the books as well as the blog, Laura. I’ll email you today.
-Nan
Laura
Yeah! It’s seed starting / ordering time… my favorite time of the year… (i find starting seeds to be more intimate than just buying pots of things and plunging them in the ground…).
My wish list:
* Allium cernuum
* Parthenium integrifolium
* Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Alba’
Veronicastrum virginicum
Lespedeza capitata
Thank you so much for the seeds and blog on how they grow in your garden!
My favorite time too! I’ll be in touch, Jeffrey.
-Nan
Hi Nan:
What a wonderful selection! I have been putting together my list for awhile now. Couldn’t wait for today. I have been going through your book, “The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer” for about the gazillionth time, planning my garden beds, trying to emulate your designs, with of course my touch. So to add to my plants:
1. Petunia exserta
2. Celosia ‘Mega Punk’
3. Rudbeckia maxima
4. Zinnia ‘Red Spider’
5. Celosia ‘Cramers Amazon’
6. Zinnia ‘Soleado’
7. Phlomis tuberosa
8. Trachelium coeruleum
9. Tinantia erecta
10. Vernonia lettermanni
11. Asphodeline lutea
Thank you for all you do to help us achieve our dream gardens!
Paula M.
I too have been looking forward to today for months, Paula! I’ll be in touch.
-Nan
Sent an email, but realized it might be easier to have all the requests in one place.
your garden inspires and delights.
wish list
celosia cramers amazon
celosia mega punk
cosmos
irish poet
tagetes from villandry
zinnia soleado
rudbeckia maximus
many thanks
for your blog and any seeds you can share
Email was just fine, Paula; thanks. Check your inbox for a message!
-Nan
What a gift you are offering! I have always enjoyed your blog, and want to thank you so much. I would love to have the following:
Papaver Lauren’s/Feather grape
Aquilegia heart of gold
Penstemon Dark Towers
Celosia Mega pink
Clematis Viorna
You are very generous. Namaste
Just sent you an email, Karen – thanks!
-Nan
Nan, This is wonderful. I am so thrilled you are sharing your seeds with us. I have so enjoyed all of your garden’s beauty with each updated e-mail.
Here is my wish list:
*Persicaria orientalis ‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’
(variegated kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate)
*Spodiopogon sibiricus
(frost grass)
*Tagetes patula ‘Moldova’
*Trachelium caeruleum ‘Black Knight’
Phlomis tuberosa
(tuberous Jerusalem sage)
Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Axminster Streaked’
Thunbergia alata ‘Susie Clear Orange’
(‘Susie Clear Orange’
Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’
Impatiens balfouri
(poor man’s orchid)
Polanisia dodecandra
(dwarf cleome, red clammyweed)
Mirabilis jalapa ‘Limelight’
(‘Limelight’ four-o’clock)
Thank you for this opportunity to have some of your garden in mine.
Jean
recipesaver2
My pleasure, Jean – watch for an email (well, two, actually).
-Nan
Woman after my own heart! I love giving away seeds, divisions, & volunteers. Your blog and photos are fabulous and you are an inspirational gardener!
Culver’s Root
Round Headed Bush Clover
Showy Milkweed
Nodding Onions
Euphorbia Marginata
Hare’s Ear
Prairie Dropseed
Heart’s of Gold Columbine
Ironweed
Dwarf Cleome
You are awesome! Thank You!
-Kimberly
It’s great fun finding wonderful new homes for all these seeds, Kimberly. I’ve sent you an email to confirm your requests.
-Nan
Hi Nan, I was very excited all day today because you mentioned that your seed sharing list would go online today. And wow, what a selection!
This year was my first year with an allotment garden and having done a lot of seed starting – and being in the middle of seed cleaning right now – I know what an amount of work this can be. I appreciate your generous offer even more!
This is my wish list in order of preference:
1. Zinnia tenuifolia ‘Red Spider’ (Love the brick red colour)
2. Brassica juncea ‘Ruby Streaks’ (Good looking edible? Need it!)
3. Vigna unguiculata ‘Red Noodle’ (Beautiful!)
4. Mirabilis jalapa ‘Limelight’ (I’m a huge fan of Mirabilis)
5. Amsonia hubrichtii (Such great fall colour and still widely unknown in Germany)
6. Platycodon grandiflorus‘Axminster Streaked’ (Love the buds and the fall colour)
7. Penstemon digitalis (What a beautiful perennial)
8. Porteranthus stipulatus (Is this in any case a synonym to Gillenia trifoliata?)
9. Nicotiana ‘Kim’s Gold” (A good variety to start looking into Nicotianas I think)
You know I life in Germany, so it’s totally okay if you have to restrict what you can send. Or would it be possible to refund the postage via paypal? I would love to do that!
BTW, I’m asking again for the Amsonia because sadly the seeds from last year didn’t come through. I had a “blackbird attack”. The cheeky bird got most of the seed I had lovingly sowed in little pots outside. Some Patrinia made it (great fall foliage) and exactly one giant coneflower and one Mirabilis longiflora. The Tiger Cubs were wonderful too but didn’t set any seeds. I guess I must have sowed them too late in the season. Okay, that’s my little report on how things went this year.
Looking forward to getting in touch with you.
Britta
I’m so happy for you and your new garden, Britta! I’ve sent you an email.
-Nan
Nigella ‘Cramer’s Plum’…one I’ve had my eye on.
-jacki
Gotcha, Jacki – look for an email.
-Nan
This is fast becoming my favorite fall ritual!
Emilia javanica ‘Irish Poet’
Hibiscus trionum
Verbascum ‘Gov. George Aiken’
Lima Beans ‘Alma’s PA Dutch’
Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’
Let me know if you’re interested in some ‘blue-podded’ garden peas, ‘Violetta’ fava beans, or ‘Stupice’ tomato seeds — I’ve got a very small veg garden and never use up all the seeds in a packet.
thanks so much, Nan
It’s my favorite thing too! I’m going to send you an email in a few minutes.
-Nan
Thanks so much for your continued generosity. I would love the following, listed in order of desire:
Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’
Okra ‘Hill Country Red’ (saw similar stunning plant at Yew Dell in Louisville this year)
Ptelea trifoliate ‘Aurea’
Persicaria orientalis ‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’
Celosia ‘Mega Punk’
Vernonia lettermannii
Phlomis tuberosa
Digitalis ferriugina
Eringium giganteum
Red Noodle Bean
Deborah
Thanks, Deborah – I’ll be in touch.
-Nan
You really outdid yourself this year, I never expected a list THIS long! Also I’m glad you’re asking for postage, I’m sure everyone is more than happy to oblige.
Fortunately you suggested ‘around 10’ selections, and I was able to cut down the list and not look too greedy, it could easily have been much longer!…. and it’s so interesting to see what others are asking for.
my top ten:
1. rosa achburensis
2. ptelea trifoliate ‘aurea’
3. verbascum ‘gov. George Aiken’
4. tagetes paluta ‘Moldava’
5. pentapetes Phoenicia
6. zea mays ‘tigercub’
7. phlomis tuberosa
8. stachys officinalis ‘alba’
9. bowallia Americana
10. plantago major
ps- you may notice some of ‘your’ seeds showing up on the HPS exchange this winter, you inspired me to join and now you’ve inspired me to give donating a try :)
thanks!
Frank
Greetings, my fellow seed geek! I’ve sent you an email to confirm.
-Nan
Wow, what an amazing harvest of seed! I enjoy viewing your garden through your blog. I am a young gardener, but I am humbled by how giving gardeners are in general. No sooner do I admire someone’s plant than I have a cutting or some seeds to take home. :) I can’t wait to grow these and then pass them on!
1. Amsonia hubrichtii
(Arkansas bluestar)
2. Phlomis tuberosa
(tuberous Jerusalem sage)
3. Schizachyrium scoparium
(little bluestem)
4. Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
(narrow-leaved mountain mint)
5. Penstemon digitalis
(foxglove penstemon)
6. Stipa tenuissima
(Mexican feather grass)
7. Allium cernuum
(nodding onion)
8. Eryngium giganteum
(Miss Willmott’s ghost)
9. Penstemon [collected from ‘Dark Towers’]
(beardtongue)
10. Lindera benzoin
(spicebush)
Thanks, Evee! I’ve sent you an email.
-Nan
Hi Nancy
How generous of you to share the seeds of your babies! I can’t even imagine the amount of work and attention needed to prepare 800 bags of seeds! And then to post all pictures and names! And then to sort messages, e-mails and divide them!
Please count me in for this list
Platycodon grandiflorus‘Axminster Streaked’
Stachys officinalis ‘Alba’
Korean feather reed grass
Nigella damascena
Persicaria orientalis ‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’
Amsonia hubrichtii
Asclepias speciosa
Tagetes patula ‘Moldova’
Thunbergia alata ‘Susie Clear Orange’
Vernonia lettermannii
Daniela
Look for an email from me, Daniela; thank you.
-Nan
Wow! What a special person you are!
Thank you for your generous offer of your seeds.
I would like to bear the mailing costs to Victoria, B.C., Canada, please let me know how to arrange this.
My wish list
Cosmos sulphurous
Amsonia hubrichtii
Phlomis tuberosa
Penstemon digitalis
Partrinia scabiositolia
Tagete spatula
Ceratotheca triloba
Clematis sp. veriscolor
Digitalis Ferruginea
Love your blog & just waiting for one of books to arrive.
Thank you
Donna
No problem, Donna; I’ve sent you an email.
-Nan
Nan, left out one important letter in my e-mail
Sorry, should of had my glasses on!
No problem, Donna – except for the person who must have gotten the misaddressed email; I bet they are very confused right now. I’ve just resent the message to the corrected address; let me know if you don’t get it!
-Nan
This is so exciting! I’ve had such fun looking up each of these plants and figuring out what I think will be happy with me.
My list, in order of desire, is as follows:
1) Plantago major ‘Atropurpurea’
2) Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
3) Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘alba’
4) Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘purpurea’
5) Parthenium integrifolium
6) Impatiens Balfouri
7) Patrinia scabiosifolia
8) veronicastrum virginicum
9) Asphodeline lutea
10) Chrysanthemum coronarium
Thank you for your generosity!!!
I love that your top pick is the purple-leaved plantain! I will be in touch by email later today, Amanda.
-Nan
Love your books, your blog and your generosity! My wish list is
1) Nicotiana ‘Kim’s Gold’
2) Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’
3) Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks’
4) Mirablilis jalapa ‘Limelight’
Thanks so much, Sue – watch for an email later today.
-Nan
I feel like a kid in a candy store! Thank you for all your hard work and generosity, your blog is such an inspiration to me. Here is my wish list:
Filipendula ulmaria from aurea
Nigella damascena ‘Cramers’ Plum’
Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas bluestar)
Digitalis grandiflora (yellow foxglove)
Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed)
Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’ (purple Japanese burnet)
Persicaria orientalis ‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’ (variegated kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate)
Celosia spicata ‘Flamingo Feather’
Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’
Symphyotrichum leave (smooth aster)
Impatiens balfouri (poor man’s orchid)
Thank you so much for sharing.
Lisa
So glad that you had fun, Lisa! I just sent you an email.
-Nan
Celosia ‘Mega Punk’
Celosia ‘Cramers’ Amazon’
Mirabilis jalapa ‘Limelight’
Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’
I’ve enjoyed this blog so much. Thank you for taking the time away from your garden to share it with us. I don’t think I’ve listed anything that’s not magenta or purple. That’s just how I roll. Thanks again!
My pleasure, Amanda. Check your inbox for an email from me.
-Nan
My friend Sue Selis (above) always sends me your blog and told me about this generous offer!
Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Axminster Streaked’
Amsonia hubrichtii
Sanguisorba tenuifolia ‘Purpurea’
Commelina communis f. aureostriata
Can’t wait to see how they do! Thank you very much for sharing!!
I encourage you to subscribe (it’s free); that way, you can get the new-post announcements directly. In the meantime, I’ve sent you an email. Thanks!
-Nan
I’ve been reading these posts forever, but this is my first chance to respond! thank you!
Digitalis grandiflora
Eryingium giganteum
Phlomis tuberosa
Veronicastrun virginicum
Asphodeline lutea
Arnsonia hubrichtii
Erigeron karvinskianus
Pensternon digitalis.
Check your inbox for an email, Jennifer – thanks!
-Nan
How wonderfully generous of you. I check in on your blog a couple times a month hoping for new pictures but I’ve never commented.
Zinnia ‘Red Spider’
Sanguisorba ‘Purpurea’
Pentapetes phoenicea
Nicotiana ‘Pink Mutabilis’
Clematis, leather flower, either
Okra ‘Bowling Red’
Patrinia scabiosifolia
Lauren’s grape poppy
Tagetes ‘Moldova’
Thunbergia ‘Clear Orange’
Just sent you an email, Lisa – thanks!
-Nan
how much fun is this?
here goes…
digitalis ferruginea rusty foxglove
rudbeckia maxima giant coneflower
okra bowling red
vigna unguiculata red noodle bean
clematis viorna leather flower
papaver laurens grape
You’re most welcome, Jo Ann. Check you inbox for an email.
-Nan
thank you so much
jo ann scholl
Thank you, Nan. Your generosity inspires me.
Thunbergia alata ‘Susie’s Clear Orange’
Lindera benzoin
Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Axminster streaked’
Papaver ‘Lauren’s Gate’
Pavonia missionum
Digitalis ferruginea
Tagetes patula ‘Moldova’
Ipomoea nil ‘Cornell’
Zinnia tenufolia
Thank you, Kathleen – just sent you an email.
-Nan
Thank you soo much for the extremely kind offer!
I’d love to try any of the following
Patrinia scabiosifolia
Tagetes patula, any but especially ‘Moldova’
Zinnia tenuifolia, any but especially ‘Red Spider’
Cosmos sulphureus
Garland chrysanthemom
Mustard ‘Ruby streaks’
Bupleurum rotundifolium
Got your email, Laura; thank you.
-Nan
Your kindness is overwhelming, thank you. I have emailed my wish list to you, but I will list it here as well.
Gossypium herbaceum ‘Nigra’ (black-leaved cotton)
Talinum paniculatum ‘Kingwood Gold’
(‘Kingwood Gold’ jewels-of-Opar)
Parthenium integrifolium (wild quinine)
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (narrow-leaved mountain mint)
Mirabilis jalapa ‘Limelight’ (‘Limelight’ four-o’clock)
Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane)
Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed)
Eryngium giganteum (Miss Willmott’s ghost)
Hibiscus trionum (New Zealand hibiscus)
Abelmoschus moschatus ‘Mischief’ (‘Mischief’ musk mallow)
Alternate choice if one of above is not available.
Okra ‘Bowling Red’ (Abelmoschus esculentus ‘Bowling Red’)
Thank you and may you enjoy peace.
I’ve sent you an email, Mary – thank you.
-Nan
Nan, you are awesome! I love your blog and the interesting combinations you come up with. Your photos make me pine for sun and good drainage. I’d love to try some of your “partial shade” seeds:
browallia
Filipendula ulmaria
impatiens balfouri
clematis sp.
Thanks!
Sarah
My pleasure, Sarah. Check your inbox for a message from me.
-Nan
This is so nice of you! I really appreciate your generosity. I would love to grow:
Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’
(‘Lauren’s Grape’ poppy
Talinum paniculatum ‘Kingwood Gold’
(‘Kingwood Gold’ jewels-of-Opar)
Mirabilis jalapa ‘Limelight’
(‘Limelight’ four-o’clock
Browallia americana
(amethyst flower)
Hibiscus trionum
(New Zealand hibiscus
Thank you!
Just sent you an email, Christine.
-Nan
Nan thank you so much for the kind offer. Nothing to make spring seem like it is around the corner then planing on where to plant all of these luscious plants! (my two favorites at the top)
My list:
***Papaver Lauren’s grape***
***Platycodon grandiflorus Axminster Streaked***
**Mirabilis jalapa limelight
**Pholomis tueberosa
Erigen Karvinskinus
Ruta graveolers Variegata
Thunbergia alta Susie
Browallia Americana
Amsonia hubrichtii
Eupatorium hyssopifolium
Thank you!
Jen
Gotcha, Jen. I just sent an email to your home address (the one you left here).
-Nan
So lovely of you to do this Nan! The seeds I got from you awhile back did amazingly…I especially loved ‘Tiger’s Cub’ Corn, though I didn’t get any seed from it to save for next year ;-( My wish list would be:
Ruta graveolens Variegata (looking everywhere for this!!)
Erigeron karvinskianus
Zea mays Tiger Cub
Zea mays Old Gold
Vernonia lettermannii
Emilia ‘Irish Poet’
Commelina aureostriata
Many thanks!
CMK
Very welcome, Christin – I just sent you an email.
-Nan
No requests, just stopped by to say hi. You are so nice to do this and people really appreciate it judging by the response. Happy fall.
Hi there, Carolyn! Thanks so much for visiting. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
-Nan
Thanks for the gracious offer! I am a new reader and have fallen in love with Hayefield. I have already shared your site with a friend at work who loves gardening as much as I do. It would be awesome to have part of Hayefield growing in my own yard!
Amaranthus ‘Hopi Red Dye’
Amsonia hubrichtii
Browallia Americana
Zinna tenuifolia ‘Red Spider’
Pentsemon ‘Dark Towers’
Celosia ‘Mega Punk’
Zinnia haageana ‘Soleado’
Talinum paniculatum
Aquilegia ‘Heart of gold’
Platycodon Grandiflorus
Thank you so much!
You’re most welcome, Faith. I just sent you an email.
-Nan
Dear Nan,
Thank you for your generosity! This is a magnificient undertaking. I learn so much everytime I read your posts.
Thanks again,
Jan
Here is my wish list:
1.Eryngium giganteum(Miss Willmott’s ghost)
2.Allium cernuum(nodding onion)
3.Digitalis grandiflora(yellow foxglove)
4.Pavonia missionum(red mallow)
5.Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Axminster Streaked’(‘Axminster Streaked’ balloon flower)
6.Polanisia dodecandra(dwarf cleome, red clammyweed)
7.Persicaria orientalis ‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’(variegated kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate)
8.Celosia spicata ‘Flamingo Feather’(‘Flamingo Feather’ celosia)
I just sent you an email, Janet.
-Nan
Well, better late than never! Because work is winding up for the end of term, this morning’s my first chance to weigh in! So if you have any left, here’s my wish list. And many thanks, Nan! This is only my second year of actually consciously gathering and sowing seeds. While I have a number of delightful (and not so much so) self sowers, I have seldom started plants from seed. When I deliberately did these past two years, it gave me an unbelievable rush of delight! So from small victories onward; :-)
Nora
Persicaria orientalis ‘Shiro-gane Nishiki’
Eryngium giganteum (Miss Willmott’s Ghost)
Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’
Ipomoea nil ‘Cornell’
Phlomis tuberosa
Stachys officinalis ‘alba’
I just sent you an email, Nora.
-Nan
Nan, thank you for the kind offer. I enjoy your blog and bought your book on perennial care through Amazon. I believe you have my email address, as I subscribe to your email service. My wish list follows:
1. Golden Lace
2. Giant Coneflower
3 Narrow-Leaved Ironweed
4. Showy Milkweed
5.Indian Physic
6. Variegated Rue
7. Smooth Aster
8. Narrow-Leaved Ironweed
9. Frost Grass
10. Lesser Snakeroot
Thank you again,
Mark Izenson
Atlanta, Georgia
Good to hear from you, Mark. Check your inbox for an email from me.
-Nan
Woo Hoo–got my seeds today–thank you, Nan!
Your largesse will be multiplied as I’m sharing the bounty with folks in my “hood”.
Cool, Julie – thanks for letting me know!
-Nan
WOW! I just found your website! The pictures are great. I’m sure I am much too late for seeds this year, but if you have any left over, my wishlist for seeds would be: Nicotiana – Pink Mutabilis and Papavar – Lauren’s Grape. I have the tall Nicotiana, Only the Lonely and love it, so I’m sure I would love the Pink Mutabilis
Very generous of you to share your seeds with so many.
Thanks,
Kay
Welcome, Kay, and thanks for reading. Unfortunately, the poppy and nicotiana seeds ran out even before the end of the give-away. So sorry to disappoint you.
-Nan