Hibiscus (Roselle) (Hibiscus sabdariffa)             (Hibiscus Flores, Flor de Jamaica, Red Drops )

Family: Malvaceae

Tropical perennial grown as an annual in temperate climates.  The papery blooms give way to the bright red, fleshy calyces, which may be made into jelly, syrup or wine.  Dried, the calyces are widely used in herbal teas, imparting a bright red color and a tart flavor.  The dried leaves are also good in tea.  Medicinal uses are myriad, ranging from tummy ache to tuberculosis.  The plant prefers full sun and fertile, fast-draining soils.  The seeds should be started early in the greenhouse and transplanted out after frost.  We found these to be a very reasonable crop for our mountainous and temperate zone 6.  The calyces developed early on squat plants and we had plenty of time to dry a store for later use. 
30 seeds/pkt $3.95, Organic

Honeybush (Cyclopia subternata) seed
Hardiness:  to 20 degrees F
Native to the cape of S. Africa.  The tea consists of the fermented and dried leaves and stems, has a sweet aroma and delicious taste, is improved by simmering, and is considered to be an overall healthy tea, stimulating the appetite, and a galactagogue.  Scarify seed by rubbing on sandpaper, drop in hot water overnight, then plant in the fall for emergence within a few weeks.  Seed is a bit a-typical in that it requires scarification as well as cool soils for germination. Plant prefers full sun and fast-draining soil, protection from hard frost.   Seed is rare.  $4.95/pkt containing 5 seeds

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) seeds
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Succulent perennial herb native to Southwestern Africa. Does well in pots. Grows to appx 18 inches tall and forms clumps up to a foot wide. Plant prefers full sun to part shade, dryish soils and is hardy to 28 degrees F. Germination is relatively easy. Use standard cactus mix in a propagation flat or gallon pot. Lay the seeds on the surface of the mix and cover sparingly with coarse, sharp sand. Keep  moist, in the light, and provide heat by means of solar greenhouse, sunlight and/or bottom heat at 80 degrees F. Hoodia makes a fine indoor plant and may be left in small pots in a light window. They thrive on minimal water.
The herb is used by native peoples of the Kalahari during times of famine as a harmless appetite suppressant.
5 seeds per packet open pollinated

Note:  Germination results on this seed are excellent.  We planted 100 seeds and received 86 seedlings in 3 days.  They rose up on the full moon.  We planted on surface of soil and covered with 1/4 inch of sand mixed with a little coir and kelp.  We watered the flat twice daily, feeling that a higher moisture content was important for good germination.  Now that the seedlings are up, we are definitely backing off on the watering, to prohibit damping off.   Richo

Hopbush (Dodonea viscosa)
(Hop Bush, Hopseed Bush, Ake Ake)
Family:  Soapberry (Spindaceae)
Hardy to 15 degrees F
Evergreen shrub or small tree to 15 feet.  Can present as a multi-trunked bush that makes a good hedge, or can be trimmed up to a single trunk whereupon the plant becomes more like a tree.  Native to the deserts of the American Southwest and also native to the tropics and warmer temperate zones worldwide.  The plant is willow-like in appearance but extremely drought tolerant, and its most distinguishing feature is the highly decorative, papery 3 sided seed pod. Good choice for dry, full-sun exposure.  Hopbush gains a local following wherever it grows, as the wood is extremely resilient (the Maori call it Ake Ake which means forever and ever) and excellent for tool handles and other crafty projects.  The name derives from the flower's resemblance to a hops strobile. The plant was once used to flavor beer.  Medicinally, used variously, depending on culture, but in all the activity of the water extract or tincture can be described as supporting the health of the mucous membranes.  Used in treating gastroenteritis, stomach and duodenal ulcer, colds, toothache, and as a general antiiflammatory, antibacterial and antifulngal wash. The plant prefers full sun and very fast-draining, warm soil or sand/gravel mix.   Scarify the seeds by putting in a glass and pouring boiling water on them.  Leave soaking overnight and plant the next day in warm, fast-draining soil.  Germination in 2 to 10 weeks.  Work up in pots and transplant out when sufficiently large to withstand the stresses of living outdoors.  30 seeds/pkt, open pollinated

Hound's Tongue seeds (houndstongue, hound tongue, hounds tounge)
Cynoglossum officinale
Very, very pretty, purple-blue flowered plant with broadly lolling leaves.  Salve of fresh or dried leaves is an ancient remedy for hair loss.  Contains PAs, so internal use not really recommended.  Plant will do well in shade or in sun.  Prefers rich soils.   Sow in spring.  Relatively easy, but can be a bit spotty germ.
 30 seeds/pkt.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Woody perennial native to the mediterranean and one of the more northern hardy of the mediterranean plants.  This is a classic herb used in knot gardens and for low hedging.  Can be readily shaped and is quite lovely in flower.  The aroma of the flowers, either fresh or dried, is completely unique and one of the best herbal smells attainable anywhere.  The tea of the dried aerial parts is pronouncedly diuretic and excellent for moving the stasis of the common cold.  Flowers can be harvested at their peak twice in a season, but we tend to harvest only once, so as not to de-energise the plant.  Plant prefers full sun and regular garden soils, excellent drainage.  Sow seed in spring in flats and transplant up to pots after second set of true leaves. Very easy.  Within a few weeks it will have grown sufficiently to transplant out to the garden.  The second photo is of hyssop on horiaon herbs seed farm, harvest day 2009.  Space 2 to 3 feet apart.  Flowers to 3 or 4 feet.  Organically grown 100 seeds/pkt.

(Apocynum cannibinum) (Dogbane)
This is probably the most useful string making plant that is native to the US--the bark is extremely tough and can be twisted into cord or with effort made into stout ropes. The eclectic physicians used it to make tooth pulling lassos. The root is cardioactive and has been used for treating low blood pressure and cardiac disease in country medicine. This is a low-dose botanical at best and can be very unpleasant if taken in excess.
Organically grown 100 seeds/pkt.