West Coast Seeds

Cortaderia selloana. This familiar ornamental grass takes three years to reach maturity from seed, but the end result is magnificent. A fountain of soft blue-grey foliage erupts from the centre of a massive clump. Above this, from late summer right into winter stand the distinctive, feathery panicles up to 3m (10') high. White Pampas Grass makes a bold statement wherever it is planted, and can be used as an architectural feature in garden design, anchoring or framing garden spaces. The inflorescences are fantastic as dry or fresh cut flowers.

Use 50 seeds per two foot diameter planting to create the dense clump look. Simply press the seeds lightly into moist soil indoors or direct sown. The seeds need light to germinate, so avoid covering them. The leaves of this fast-growing grass have sharp edges. White Pampas Grass is hardy to Zone 7, but can be overwintered in cooler zones by mulching over the roots in winter.

A blend of wildflowers that are not preferred food sources for deer or are resilient to being foraged. In times of weak grazing, deer may still nibble on these plants, but the contents of Deer Resistant wildflower seeds were chosen for their resilience to deer. Great for planting on the Gulf Islands and BC Interior, where deer can be a real nuisance. The mix will also work in any other North American setting, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, but foiling marauding deer. Recommended rate of application: 115g per 1,000 square feet.

Viola cornuta. This spreading hybrid pansy has exceptional overwintering ability. Ruffled petals in a wide range of colours bring a dramatic splash of vibrancy to the winter garden. Sow Fizzy Fruit Salad Mix Viola seeds in July and August for blooms from October right through to the following May. They look incredible in containers and hanging baskets, and particularly spectacular in mass bedding plantings. The wide pansy faces, fancy frilled petals, and dazzling colours bring a really special look to any garden. Much needed colour for an otherwise subdued winter palette. Be sure to plant your winter flowering pansies the previous summer.

Perennial (Grow as a hardy annual)

Lathyrus odoratus. Unlike Mammoth, Supersnoop Mix sweet pea seeds produce a compact dwarf variety that is well suited to tubs, containers, and the front of the flower bed. It is an improved Snoopea type that blooms early in a wide range of colours. The plants have no tendrils, so they stay low and compact at 45-60cm (18-24") tall. Supersnoop produces flowers that are showy and mildly fragrant and well suited for cut flowers. Supersnoop are great for market growers for bundles of cut flowers. Direct sow sweet pea seeds between March and May at regular intervals to prolong the bloom period. Be sure to pick any seed pods that appear so the flowers keep coming.

Annual

Lathyrus odoratus. Striking shades of crimson, lavender, deep rose, navy blue, rose pink, and salmon, these climbers are 1.6m (6ft) and perfect for cut flowers. Sow Mammoth Blend sweet pea seeds for the earliest sweet peas to bloom from late spring to early summer. Direct sow sweet pea seeds at three week intervals for an extended bloom period. This variety has particularly large flowers on particularly long stems, so they're a great cut flower for the farm table or the home garden. While they have a distinct fragrance, they are not like the intense Spencers or High Scent, so they will appeal to growers who prefer subdued scents.

Annual

Dwarf sunflower for containers and small garden beds, perfect for children to plant! Big Smile has the classic bright sunny-yellow petals with a dark center. Compact, branching plants are 25-38cm (10-15”) when grown in pots and slightly taller at 30-60cm (12-24”) when grown in the garden. Bears Pollen.

With so many to choose from and only so much space in the garden, Tall Blend sunflower seeds will allow you to enjoy a mixed planting. This package combines varieties of tall sunflowers to brighten up the back of the garden. Grow a forest of giants that attract pollinators to your garden and also feed the birds once the flowering show is over. All plants in this collection will grow to 2-4m (6-12').

The high performing Potomac snapdragon series was selected for stem and flower quality for production during long summer days. Tall, strong stems have long, refined spikes of ivory white flowers. 80-120cm (32-48") tall plants can be grown in the field and garden, or in a greenhouse.

The high performing Potomac snapdragon series was selected for stem and flower quality for production during long summer days. Tall, strong stems have long, refined spikes of orange flowers with accents of yellow and pink. 80-120cm (32-48") tall plants can be grown in the field and garden, or in a greenhouse.

The high performing Potomac snapdragon series was selected for stem and flower quality for production during long summer days. Appleblossom’s tall, strong stems have long, refined spikes of bicolour white and pale pink flowers. 80-120cm (32-48") tall plants can be grown in the field and garden, or in a greenhouse.

Unique azalea type snapdragon with ruffled, double-petaled blooms. Cut Madame Butterfly's tall spikes of rose and coral hued flowers for full displays with an antique look. Harvest when the lower 1/3 of flowers on the stem are open. 66-89cm (26-35”) plants can be grown in a greenhouse or in the open field and garden.

Solanum aethiopicum. Pumpkin on a Stick is a crazy cousin of the traditional eggplant. Small orange fruits develop along prickly stems that emerge from attractive, bushy plants at the end of summer. The fruits are used in certain Asian dishes, but they are bitter and need to be prepared carefully. We grow them as a simple ornamental eggplants and dry the stems with fruits attached for fall displays. The plants grow well in containers and raised beds, and are particularly productive in a greenhouse setting. Sow and grow as you would any other eggplant. Also known as Mock Tomato, Hmong Eggplant, Ethiopian Nightshade, and Chinese Scarlet Eggplant. This product is sold by seed count.

Follow the How to Grow Eggplants instructions.

Matures in 70 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Tropaeolum majus. Salad Blend nasturtium seeds bring brilliant colour to summer salads. Salad Blend nasturtiums feature spurless, half-double flowers in tangerine, soft salmon, deep gold, deep mahogany, bright scarlet, cream and cherry-rose. Pick and wash a handful of these bright summer flowers and just tear them into pieces over a summer salad. The result transforms a simple salad into a work of art. Nasturtiums are very easy to grow, and quite drought tolerant, so they are a fine choice for xeriscaping. In the right environment nasturtiums will self sow and come back year after year.

Annual

Strawberry Blonde French marigold brightens the garden with its colour changing blooms in lovely shades of yellow, coral, and rose. An excellent choice for containers and landscape borders. In cooler temperatures, colour contrast is more distinct. Keep spend flowers deadheaded for a continuous carpet of blooms midsummer to fall. Mounded hait of 20-25cm x 20-25cm (8-10" x 8-10.

First year flowering foxgloves with uniform blooms on vigorous plants. Dalmation White has bright white bells with contrasting dark purple freckles. Flower bells form on one side of the stem, sitting close together on sturdy stems. Grow these vigorous plants in the garden or in pots as a hardy annual.