(Marigold, Desert)
Family:  Aster (Asteraceae)
Hardiness: to 20 degrees F.  Dry cold is much better tolerated than cold and wet conditions.
Herbaceous perennial desert dweller native to Western US and Mexico.  The bright yellow flowers are largely responsible for the blanket of blooms one sees in the deserts of the western states, a bright covering that occurs after the rare rainy episodes of early spring and summer. Plant has woolly, silvery leaves that form a tough rosette and give rise to the long-lived flowering stalks.  We find these to be very good in large pots.  For pot culture, use cactus mix and water infrequently. Good subject for outdoor plantings at elevations below 5,000 feet in the warmer parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Texas.  The plant is the source of the molecule known as baileyolin, a sesquiterpene lactone that has tumor inhibiting and antibiotic activity. Cultivation:  Plant prefers full sun and very fast-draining, alkaline soils.   Sow seed on surface of fast-draining soil, press in firmly and keep evenly moist until germination.  If germ does not occur within 3 weeks, dry off the flats and try again.  Germination is sometimes stimulated by cold, moist conditions. That said, Desert Marigold is pretty easy to start from seed, as is shown by the great extent of its distribution in the wild.  A worthy species.  100 seeds/pkt, Open Pollinated

Desert Willow        (Chilopsis linearis)

Family:  Bignoniaceae

Willowy shrub or small tree, hardy to 20° F.  Native to the deserts of the southwestern US, Baja and .  This plant is an indicator for subterranean water in the desert, and if its a good year for water, the large, trumpet-shaped flowers and associated sexy aroma can be exceptional.  The leaves, bark and flowers all have diverse medicinal activity (see Moore ’s  “Desert and Canyon West.”)  Also an excellent anti-candida remedy.  Tree prefers full sun and occasional water.  Sow in spring and grow out in pots for a year before transplanting.

30 seeds/pkt $2.95, open pollinated

(Devils Club)
Family:  Ginseng (Araliaceae)
Hardiness: Prefers the colder temperate zones and thrives in moist woodland sites from Oregon to Alaska. 
Perennial rhizomatous shrub. Hardy to below -50 degrees F but not very heat tolerant--if your summers are very dry and hot you absolutely MUST provide cool shade or the plant will not do well.  Awesomely spiny plant.  A general adaptogen (similar in activity/constituent profile to American Ginseng and Eleutherococcus).   It is the root bark that is mainly used.  Antidiabetic.  Much-employed ritualistic herb, used in sweats and on vision quest.  Provide a moist, cool, and shady environment.  Soak berries in cool water overnight, then rub between a bit of sheeting to remove the germination-inhibiting flesh of the fruit and to break apart the 2 seeds that are in each fruit, then plant the seeds in cool, moist conditions.   One good method is to fill a gallon pot with slightly acid (use peat), moisture-retentive potting soil, arrange the seeds on the surface of the soil, then cover with about 1/4 inch of moist coir or forest loam and tamp securely. We prefer to put the pots in the shade house, but in colder climates an unheated greenhouse would be good, or if planting within the native zone then use the outdoor nursery bed technique. 
13 dried berries per packet, containing 26 seeds, Open Pollinated

Note:  2009 harvest was exceptional and our cut test shows 100% viability. 

Family:  Carrot (Apiaceae)
Annual.  65 days to maturity
Native to southern Europe, Iran and India. Lacy foliage and nodding seedheads.  The dill that we grow here in the foothills of the Siskiyou mountains has been rated exceptional, and is responsible for the seeds we will send you.  Personally, I love to find them in the garden and clap their cheery little faces in my upturned palms and nuzzle them like a lover.  I make sure the bees are off first, of course.  And might nibble just a bit.  This is of course the difinitive pickling spice, used fresh or dried in canning, especially of course "dill pickles".  Equally well suited for provider beans or even carrot slices and oregon longneck broccoli.  My mom used to make a white sauce for cauliflower with lots of dill in it, very close to heaven on earth.  Plant prefers full sun and regular garden soil.  Easy to sow directly in the garden in the early spring.
 200 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown

(Blushred Rhabdosia)
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardiness: 10 degrees F
Herbaceous perennial native to China.  Short, basil-like plants.  Does well in pots.  Requires at least 120 days to make seed, and can easily winter kill if the weather is too icy too deep down.  Can be grown as a summer annual for production of leaf and flower.  The more I grow this herb, the more I respect it.  I think its really good medicine.  The second photo is of the good quality dried herb, obtained by careful scissors work in the field, followed by a quick dry on a screen in a place with positive airflow and a little heat.  The herb smells divinelyThe entire plant is used in TCM.  Source of diterpenoic molecules oridonin and rebescenin, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.  The herb improves digestion, inhibits inflammation and has been used as a specific for treating breast cancer.  Sow in spring.  Plant prefers normal garden conditions, with sun and regular watering.  100 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated

Dragon Fruit Cactus (Hylocereus undatus)
Perennial vining cactus native to Central America and hardy to 30 degrees F.  Night-blooming and exotically scented, the flowers of Dragon Fruit can reach more than a foot long and wide.  The fruits are red, edible and delicious, reaching up to 5 inches long.  Vines may be planted in the ground and trained into a weeping willow shape.  Sow the seeds in composty cactus mix and keep moist, warm and in the light.  Germination is in 2 to 4 weeks at 70 degrees F (21 degrees C).  Protect from frost.
50 seeds/pkt $3.95, Open Pollinated

Those of you who are familiar with starting cacti from seed may ignore these directions. Here are some directions for those of you who are just starting out growing cacti from seed.  You need to use full spectrum grow lights or a good greenhouse.  You can't just grow them on a windowsill in an apartment--they need bright light and very warm temperatures for germination and growth!  For starters, you can buy cactus mix at the nursery supply store, but most of us make our own.  Here's the common recipe:  50% white pumice, 25% coarse, sharp sand, and 25% organic matter such as coir or compost.  Mix thoroughly and inoculate with a handful of cactus mix taken from around growing cacti--this will provide bacterial/fungal substrate that supports the growth of healthy cacti.  Use gallon pots or smaller.  Fill to 1/2 inch from rim with your cactus mix.  Sprinkle seed on surface and mist or water by setting pot in a bowl of water.  Do not dislodge seeds or seedlings by rambunctious watering--its counterproductive.  Many growers stretch plastic wrap over the top of the pot to create a mini-greenhouse effect for germination, then remove the plastic once the seedlings are up and going.  Once the seedlings appear, keep them propped up with pieces of pumice and water every three days during the hot season and water very infrequently during the winter.  That's it in a nutshell.  Richo

(Siberian Dragon's Head)

Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to – 40 degrees F.

Herbaceous perennial native to Central Europe.  Producing myriads of dark purple blue tubular flowers, this rare plant is highly endowed with stimulating essential oils, a traditional tea herb used for lifting spirits and giving the courage of a dragon.  Plant prefers full sun and fast-draining soils.  Good subject for alpine or rock gardens.  Sow in fall to early spring.

Yopo--Cebil (Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil) seeds (Yopo)
Open Pollinated 20 seeds/pkt.
Hardiness: Protect from frost!
Perennial tropical to subtropical tree to 50 feet. Native to the Andes. Able to withstand short exposures down to about 25 degrees F. Does tend to come back from the root after the tops freeze back. Highly decorative house plant. The fern-like leaves open during the day and close at night. The ground seeds are an ingredient in native psychoactive snuff, rich in bufotenine. These seeds are potentially toxic if taken internally. Plant prefers warmth, partial shade, and rich, fast-draining soil. Seed has short viability and is best planted as soon as possible after receipt. Use straight sand or mixture of peat or coco fiber and pumice. Place seeds on flat surface, cover thinly, and press in. Keep barely moist and very warm (72-90 degrees F). Germination is rapid--often within 3 days.

20 seeds/pkt $4.95