(Zea mays 'Shaman's Blue')
Shaman's Blue Popcorn is a hybrid, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Peru, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the Untied States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 96” and features 7-9" ears with unique blue/purple kernels. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, and is edible.
Genus: Zea
Species: mays
Variety: Shaman's Blue Popcorn
Native to: Peru.
Introduced into: Afghanistan, Alabama, Albania, Aldabra, Algeria, Amur, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina Northeast, Arizona, Arkansas, Aruba, Assam, Austria, Azores, Bahamas, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Borneo, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, California, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Central African Repu, Central European Rus, Chad, Chagos Archipelago, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Christmas I., Colombia, Colorado, Comoros, Connecticut, Corse, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Florida, France, French Guiana, Galápagos, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hainan, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, India, Indiana, Iowa, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jawa, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Laos, Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Louisiana, Madagascar, Maine, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Manchuria, Marianas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Massachusetts, Mauritius, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nebraska, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nevada, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Carolina, North Caucasus, Northwest European R, Ohio, Oman, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Panamá, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Pitcairn Is., Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Puerto Rico, Queensland, Québec, Rhode I., Rodrigues, Romania, Rwanda, Réunion, Sakhalin, Samoa, Sardegna, Seychelles, Sicilia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Carolina, South European Russi, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, Togo, Transcaucasus, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Utah, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuelan Antilles, Vermont, Vietnam, Virginia, Wake I., Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Western Australia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zaïre.
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: Spring/Summer 100-110 days
Hardiness: Tender. Corn is a tropical grass and needs warm weather. It is not at all hardy.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Summer
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: Late
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot. Corn is a sub-tropical plant and uses C4 photosynthesis, which enables it to grow more efficiently in high heat and light levels. It needs warm weather and as much sunlight as it can get. Sweet Corn can be grown in an intensive bed, but it must be in a large block for best pollination. There must be at least a group of 12 plants to insure good pollination. It is a tall growing plant, so must be planted where it won't shade other plants.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. Corn needs a warm soil for good germination. It will take 3 weeks to germinate at 50 degrees, but only 4 days at 80 degrees.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes.
Light: Full Sun. Min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot). Corn uses an especially efficient form of photosynthesis that enables it to grow rapidly in the high intensity light and heat of the tropics. It should be placed in the sunniest spot in the garden.
Water: Medium. The best way to irrigate is with a soaker hose or a drip system. Don't use sprinklers during the pollen shedding stage, as it may affect pollination.
Feeder: Heavy: Corn is a notoriously hungry plant, which isn't surprising when you consider how fast it can grow. For best growth it needs generous amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as all of the other plant nutrients.
Suitability: High heat, Needs lots of space.
Small Gardens?: No
Containers?: Yes, but will need a large one, like a half wine barrel It is possible to grow corn in a large container of fertile soil, but it's probably not worthwhile. Be aware that you won't get much for the space it takes up, and you will have to hand pollinate such a small number of plants.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Maintenance: Medium
Plant Height: 96"
Spacing: 6-8"
Sow Depth: 1-4"
Produces: 7" ears with unique blue/purple kernels
Hardiness Zone: 2-11
Garden Uses: As one of the most important food crops, corn is grown for both human and domestic animal consumption. It is valued in the home garden for its superior flavor compared to that of store-bought. Corn is also used ornamentally in seasonal decorations.
Soil Preparation
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0, Ideal 6.0-6.8. Corn will grow well in a variety of soils, but it is a hungry plant and needs a lot of nutrients for maximum production. The ideal soil is rich, moisture retentive and well drained.
Soil Preparation:
Compost (Nitrogen), 2" in top 6" of soil, 1 time: Incorporate 2˝ of compost or aged manure into the top 6˝ of soil.
Standard Mix, 5 pounds per 100 sq. ft., in top 6" of soil, 1 time: Standard Mix should be incorporated into the top 6" of soil along with the compost. It will supply any additional nutrients the plants may require. This is a mix of various amendments intended to supply all of the nutrients plants may require. It is usually incorporated into the soil prior to planting. The mix consists of:
- 4 parts cottonseed meal (this is high in nitrogen and relatively inexpensive)
- 2 parts colloidal phosphate or bone meal (for phosphorus)
- 2 parts wood ash or 3 parts greensand or granite dust (for potassium)
- 1 part dolomitic limestone (to balance pH and add calcium and magnesium)
- 1 part kelp meal (for trace elements)
Mix these together thoroughly. You can do this all at once, or you can store them separately and mix as needed.
Start Indoors
Soil temp for germination: 50°F to 105°F, optimal 60°F to 95°F, optimal 95°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: 12 to 14 (Spring/Summer), (Fall/Winter)
Germinate:
3-4 weeks before last frost date: Very early Corn: Corn can be started indoors, in cell packs, soil blocks or plug trays. However this is only worthwhile for very early Corn, in exceptionally short or early cool growing conditions, or to avoid predators such as birds and mice. Sow 2 seeds in each cell or block and thin to the best one when they have all emerged. If germination is very good, you might just plant one seed per cell. The seedlings grow rapidly and will get root-bound if left in their containers for too long. Ideally they should be out of their pots and in the ground, within 3 to 4 weeks.
Transplant Outdoors
Warm, Hot: Corn is a sub-tropical plant and uses C4 photosynthesis, which enables it to grow more efficiently in high heat and light levels. It needs warm weather and as much sunlight as it can get. Sweet Corn can be grown in an intensive bed, but it must be in a large block for best pollination. There must be at least a group of 12 plants to insure good pollination. It is a tall growing plant, so must be planted where it won't shade other plants.
When outdoor temp: 50°F to 95°F, optimal temp 60°F to 75°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. Corn needs a warm soil for good germination. It will take 3 weeks to germinate at 50 degrees, but only 4 days at 80 degrees.
Spacing: 6"-8", 2 plants per sq ft. Row planting: Corn is usually planted in rows but to ensure good pollination (which means full ears), it is important that the rows be in blocks. These should consist of at least four rows each. Put the plants 8" apart in the rows, with 24 to 36" between the rows.
Intensive Beds: Plant in offsets rows across the bed. The distance apart depends upon the soil: 18" (poor soil) 15" (average soil) 12" (excellent soil).
Support: No
Start Outdoors
When outdoor temp: 50°F to 95°F, optimal temp 60°F to 75°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. Corn needs a warm soil for good germination. It will take 3 weeks to germinate at 50 degrees, but only 4 days at 80 degrees.
Seed Depth: 1.0"-4.0". In spring when the soil is cool it should be planted only 1" deep. Later in the year, when the soil is warm, it may be planted as deep as 4".
Spacing: 6"-8", 2 plants per sq ft. Row planting: Corn is usually planted in rows but to ensure good pollination (which means full ears), it is important that the rows be in blocks. These should consist of at least four rows each. Put the plants 8" apart in the rows, with 24 to 36" between the rows.
Intensive Beds: Plant in offsets rows across the bed. The distance apart depends upon the soil: 18" (poor soil) 15" (average soil) 12" (excellent soil).
Spring Crop: 2-7 weeks after last frost date. Corn is almost always direct sown, because it grows fast, doesn’t like transplanting and it is less work.
1. To get the plants off to a good start, you might soak the seeds overnight prior to planting. For an even faster start you could pre-germinate them, but be careful not to break the brittle roots.
2. In spring when the soil is cool it should be planted only 1˝ deep.
Summer Crop: 8-12 weeks after last frost date. Corn is usually direct sown, because it grows fast, doesn’t like transplanting and it is less work.
1. To get the plants off to a good start, you might soak the seeds overnight prior to planting. For an even faster start you could pre-germinate them, but be careful not to break the brittle roots.
2. Later in the year, when the soil is warm, corn may be planted as deep as 4˝.
Support: No
Water Needs: Moderate. The best way to irrigate is with a soaker hose or a drip system. Don't use sprinklers during the pollen shedding stage, as it may affect pollination.
Fertilizer Needs: Heavy. Corn is a notoriously hungry plant, which isn't surprising when you consider how fast it can grow. For best growth it needs generous amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as all of the other plant nutrients.
Watering, regularly: Water, 0.5", regularly, 2 times a week. Sweet Corn is a thirsty plant so water it regularly. Water is especially crucial during tasseling and subsequent ear maturation, so make sure they get enough water at this time. Watering also depends on your local weather; don't water if it's raining, or water more frequently if it's dry. Just be sure to keep soil moist for the best crop. The best way to know how much moisture is in your soil is to feel 2" below the soil line. If it's dry, water.
Weeding, after sowing: after sowing, every 2 weeks. It is important to weed the plants carefully until they reach 12" in height. You can use a hoe for this, as they don’t have shallow roots. Once the plants are growing well no weed on earth can compete with them.
Thinning, when 3" tall: 8 inches apart, when 3" tall, 1 time. Plant twice as many seeds as you need and thin to the recommended spacing when they are several inches high.
Side Dressing, when 12" tall: Compost tea, 5 gallons per 100 sq. ft., when 12in tall, 1 time. It is a good idea to give the young plants a boost of nitrogen, such as compost tea, when the seedlings are about 12˝ tall and growing rapidly.
Side Dressing, at early fruit set: Compost tea, 5 gallons per 100 sq. ft., at early fruit set, 1 time. Give them another dose of compost tea when the silks appear, for that final burst of growth.
Support: No
Harvesting
Harvest the ears when husks have dried and kernels are plump, well-colored, and shiny.
Storage
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
The newer super sweet hybrids stay sweet much longer and can be kept in the fridge for several days. Ears of corn in their husks can be kept in the refrigerator for a couple days. The sooner you eat them, the better.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-5 days
Field corn or flower corn used for making corn meal and other corn products. The dry ears can be stored whole (they are quite decorative), but the seed takes up less space if you remove it from the ears. Make absolutely sure the seed is completely dry before storing it, otherwise it will go moldy.
Storage Req: Dry
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
Culinary
Makes great popcorn!
Culinary Use:
Popcorn isn't just for popcorn - it can also be ground into cornmeal and used as a flour.
Companion Planting
Companions: Sunflower borders were a tradition in American Indian gardens. British research indicates that strips of sunflowers alternated with corn will increase yields and
decrease infestations of all armyworms. Squash and pumpkins do well in the shade of the corn rows.
Enemies: The weed quack grass (Agropyron repens) appears to make nitrogen and potassium unavailable to corn, even when the area is heavily fertilized. Leached toxins from wheat straw mulch reduced corn yields in farm research by 44-94 percent.
Problems
Corn Borers
To attract Green Lacewings to your garden you will need to grow: Dill, Angelica, Golden Marguerite, Coriander, and Dandelion.
Ladybug: Preys on Aphids, Cabbage loopers, Leafhoppers, Whitefly, Spider mites, Fleas, Mealybug, and Colorado potato beetles.
To attract Ladybugs to your garden you will need to grow: Angelica, Calendula, Caraway, Chives, Cilantro, Cosmos, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Marigold, Statice, Sweet Alyssum, and Yarrow. You may also want to grow decoy crops to keep your ladybugs supplied with aphids to eat such as Early cabbage, Marigold, Nasturtium, and Radish. Without a food source, your ladybugs will be forced to leave which will leave your crops vulnerable.
Damsel Bugs: These true bugs are very common and abundant in farms, gardens and landscapes. They are generalist predators and both the adults and nymphs eat aphids, caterpillar eggs, small larvae, fleahoppers, lygus bugs, leafhoppers, treehoppers, spider mites, and other soft-bodied insects, especially on shorter growing plants. They are common in agricultural habitats, such as soybean, corn, and alfalfa. Damsel bugs are greyish brown in color and have grasping front legs. They are not commercially available.
To attract Damsel Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Spiders: Prey on a wide range including bed bugs, aphids, roaches, grasshoppers, cabbage looper, and fruit flies.
To attract Spiders to your garden you will need to grow: tall plants for weaving spiders, mulch for predatory spiders.
Hoverflies: Prey on aphids, scale insects, caterpillars, and Thrips.
To attract Hoverflies to your garden you will need to grow: Fern-leaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Carpet bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), Lavender globe lily (Allium tanguticum), Basket of Gold (Alyssum saxatilis), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Golden Marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria), Dwarf alpine aster (Aster alpinus), Masterwort (Astrantia major), Four-wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata), Caraway (Carum carvi), Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cosmos white sensation (Cosmos bipinnatus), Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota), Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum CA), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Poached egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii), Statice (Limonium latifolium), Butter and eggs (Linaria vulgaris), Edging lobelia (Lobelia erinus), Sweet alyssum white (Lobularia maritima), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus), Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta ‘warrenii’), Alpine cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa), Gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia fulgida), Orange stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum), Stonecrops (Sedum spurium), Peter Pan goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), Wood betony (Stachys officinalis), Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia), Crimson thyme (Thymus serpylum coccineus), Spike speedwell (Veronica spicata), Zinnia "liliput" (Zinnia elegans).
Flea Beetles
To attract Braconid Wasps to your garden you will need to grow: Fern-leaf Yarrow, Common Yarrow, Dill, Lemon Balm, and Parsley.
Tachinid Flies: Preys on Gypsy Moths, Flea Beetles, Japanese Beetles, Mexican Bean Beetles, Cutworms, and Squash Bugs.
To attract Tachinid Flies to your garden you will need to grow: Carrots, Dill, Coriander, and Buckwheat.
Green Lacewings: Preys on Aphids, Flea beetles, Whitefly, Leafhopper, Mealybugs, and Caterpillars of pest moths.
To attract Green Lacewings to your garden you will need to grow: Dill, Angelica, Golden Marguerite, Coriander, and Dandelion.
Damsel Bugs: Preys on Caterpillars, Mites, Aphids, Flea beetles, Potato beetles, and Cabbage worms.
To attract Damsel Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Big-eyed Bugs: Preys on Aphids, small Caterpillars and Caterpillar eggs, Flea beetles, Fleahoppers, Lygus bugs, Mites, Thrips, Whiteflies.
To attract Big-Eyed Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Cutworms
To attract Ground Beetles to your garden you will need to grow: evening primrose, amaranthus, and clover.
Tachinid Flies: Preys on Gypsy Moths, Flea Beetles, Japanese Beetles, Mexican Bean Beetles, Cutworms, and Squash Bugs.
To attract Tachinid Flies to your garden you will need to grow: Carrots, Dill, Coriander, and Buckwheat.
Braconid Wasps: Prey on Tobacco Hornworm, Tomato Hornworm, Caterpillars, Aphids, Flea Beetles, and Mexican Bean Beetles.
To attract Braconid Wasps to your garden you will need to grow: Fern-leaf Yarrow, Common Yarrow, Dill, Lemon Balm, and Parsley.
Spiders: Prey on a wide range including bed bugs, aphids, roaches, grasshoppers, cabbage looper, and fruit flies.
To attract Spiders to your garden you will need to grow: tall plants for weaving spiders, mulch for predatory spiders.
Minute Pirate Bugs: Preys on spider mites, cabbage looper, insect eggs, caterpillars, aphids, thrips
To attract Minute Pirate Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Damsel Bugs: Prey on Caterpillars, Mites, Aphids, Potato Beetles, and Cabbage Worms.
To attract Damsel Bugs to your garden you will need to grow: Caraway (Carum carvi), Cosmos “white sensation” (Cosmos bipinnatus), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Peter Pan Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), and Marigold “lemon gem” (Tagetes tenuifolia).
Green Lacewings: Preys on Aphids, Flea beetles, Whitefly, Leafhopper, Mealybugs, and Caterpillars of pest moths.
To attract Green Lacewings to your garden you will need to grow: Dill, Angelica, Golden Marguerite, Coriander, and Dandelion.
Nutrition
The Health Benefits of Popcorn
Improves Digestion: It is important to realize that popcorn is a whole grain, which is a designation for grains that contain the endosperm, germ, and bran. This is similar to whole grain cereals, rice, and bread that also contain all three of these vital parts. Since popcorn is a natural whole grain, it contains all of the fiber from the bran, not to mention the minerals, B complex vitamins, and vitamin E that is stored there. In terms of digestion, the high fiber content keeps your body “regular”, meaning that your bowel movements move smoothly and quickly through your digestive tract and conditions like constipation are avoided. Fiber stimulates peristaltic motion of the smooth intestinal muscles and induces the secretion of digestive juices, both of which help to keep your entire digestive system healthy.Popcorn
Lowers Cholesterol Levels: Fiber functions in another beneficial way within the body, and whole grains contain the type of fiber which can strip off excess cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and arteries, thereby reducing your overall cholesterol levels, and lowering your chances of dangerous cardiovascular conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. This also reduces the strain on the cardiac system, since the heart doesn’t need to work so hard to move blood through clogged vessels and arteries.
Controls Blood Sugar: The third vital role of fiber is its impact on blood sugar within the body. When the body has ample amounts of fiber, it regulates the release and management of blood sugar and insulin levels better than people with low levels of fiber. Reducing these fluctuations in blood sugar is a major bonus for diabetics, so popcorn is always a recommendation if you suffer from that difficult disease.
Prevents Cancer: Researchers in recent years have been shocked to find an amazingly large amount of antioxidant capacity within popcorn. It used to be considered a relatively unhealthy junk food, but it now appears that the hull of popcorn contains large amounts of polyphenolic compounds, one of the more powerful types of antioxidants that you can put in your body. In fact, research has even shown that popcorn consumption can do more for the antioxidant potential in your body that a daily dose of fruits and vegetables! Antioxidants are the powerful defensive agents that scavenge and eliminate free radicals, those by-products of cellular metabolism that are associated with a variety of diseases in the body, particularly cancer. Free radicals are notorious for mutating healthy cellular DNA into cancerous cells, which is a big problem. Popcorn can help reduce those risks.
Prevents Aging: Free radicals do a lot more damage than cancer; they have been closely linked to of age-related symptoms like wrinkles, age spots, macular degeneration and blindness, muscle weakness, cognitive decline, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, hair loss, and a wide variety of other things we generally don’t look forward to as we age. Popcorn can keep you feeling healthy and happy well into your old age thanks to the powerful antioxidants that combat these effects of free radicals.
Weight Loss: A normal cup of popped popcorn contains only 30 calories, which is approximately 5 times less than the same amount of greasy potato chips. Furthermore, the fiber content in popcorn makes you feel full and inhibits the release of the hunger hormone, ghrelin. This can prevent overeating and keep people who are battling the bulge happy and thin, without making them feel like they aren’t eating enough. Popcorn is also very low in saturated fats, and its natural oils are primarily healthy and essential in the body.
Word of Caution: Popcorn certainly seems like a healthy snack, but the vast majority of people douse it in salt, butter, or other toppings that negate much of the positive impact that popcorn can have on the body. Also, avoid pre-packaged microwave popcorn, as it usually has butter and salt. Once the popcorn begins to pop, some of the chemicals in the packaging material actually break down or destroy the phenolic compounds of the hull, severely decreasing its impact on protecting your body against free radicals.
Other than these few words of warning, pop in a good movie, fix yourself a big bowl of popcorn, and get healthy!
Suggested Varieties
(Amaranthus caudatus 'Love, Lies, Bleeding')
Love, Lies, Bleeding Amaranth is a heirloom annual leaf vegetable that is native to South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features erect, deep red stems, 6” oval, light green leaves and 12” bright red, drooping tassels. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees and butterflies, tolerates drought, is used to make dye, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
(Amaranthus cruentus 'Red Garnet')
Red garnet Amaranth is a heirloom, warm weather annual leaf vegetable that is native to Mexico and South America, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-7' and features erect stems, oval-shaped, burgundy red leaves, and large dark red flower spikes. This plant can be grown in containers, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, tolerates drought, and it's edible!
(Melissa officinalis ‘Lemon Balm’)
Lemon Balm is a perennial herb that is native to Southern Europe but can be commonly found growing throughout the northwestern, southcentral, and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2' and features 3” oval, medium green, wrinkled, lemon-scented leaves, and tiny white flowers that have two lips. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and tachinid flies, repels ants and flies, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, is used to make essential oils and potpourri, self-sows, and is also both edible and medicinal!
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Kentucky Wonder')
Only a few left!
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean is a heirloom, tender warm weather annual vegetable that is native to California where it was introduced in 1940 by Ferry-Morse Seed Co. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 72-96” and features long vines, green spade-shaped leaves, 7-10” green snap bean pods, and tiny flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is disease resistant, creates bio mass, tolerates drought, makes dye and fabric, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Lazy Housewife')
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(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Royalty Purple Pod')
Royalty Purple Pod Bean is a heirloom, tender warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New Hampshire where it was developed by the University of New Hampshire, and introduced by Billy Helper Seed Company in 1957. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features erect stems, green spade-shaped leaves, 5-6” bright-purple bean pods, and tiny flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, creates bio mass, tolerates drought, makes dye and fabric, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Monarda fistulosa ‘Wild’)
Wild Bergamot is a native, perennial, clump-forming flower naturally found growing in dry, rocky woods and prairies across the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features a square-like stem, aromatic greenish-gray leaves, and globular clusters of two-lipped lavender flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is edible and medicinal, is used as a cut flower, is drought tolerant, is used to flavor perfumes, makes insect repellents and essential oils, is resistant to deer, and self-sows!
(Brassica oleracea 'Early Jersey Wakefield')
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to England, but was first grown in the United States in 1840 by Francis Brill of Jersey City. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features dark-green, conical heads averaging 5" in diameter and weighing 2 to 3 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbits safe (in moderation), can be used as a trap crop for aphids, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Carum carvi ‘Caraway')
Caraway is a biennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia but can be commonly found growing in meadows, prairies, and along roadsides throughout the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features feathery fronds and umbrella shaped clusters of tiny white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, damsel bugs, hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, and is also both edible and medicinal!
(Daucus carota 'Chantenay Red Cored')
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Chantenay Red Cored Carrot is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to France, but is commonly grown across the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features a 7" long, orange, nearly coreless carrots. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Daucus carota 'Cosmic Purple')
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Cosmic Purple Carrot is a hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Wisconsin, where it was developed in Madison by Dr. Philipp in 2005. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12” and features 7" purple skinned carrots with orange and yellow flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Daucus carota 'Danvers')
Danvers Carrot is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts, where it was developed in Danvers and was first marketed by Burpee Seed Co. in 1886. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features a 7" long, nearly coreless orange carrot. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Daucus carota 'Rainbow Blend')
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Rainbow Blend Carrot is a heirloom seed mix consisting of Cosmic Purple, Atomic Red, Lunar White, and Solar Yellow Carrots which are hardy, cool weather annual vegetables that are grown in the United States. These carrots can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Daucus carota 'Scarlet Nantes')
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Scarlet Nantes Carrot is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to France, but are commonly grown across the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 16” and features a 7" long, bright red-orange, fine-grained fleshed carrot. These carrots can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Daucus carota 'Tendersweet')
Tendersweet Carrot is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Europe, but are commonly grown across the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-18” and features a 9-10" coreless, deep orange carrots. These carrots can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.
(Allium schoenoprasum ‘Onion')
Onion Chive is a native clump-forming perennial herb that can be found growing throughout the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 20” and features 12” dark green grassy-like leaves and 16” stems that are topped with aromatic pale purple clover-like flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and pollinating moths, repels aphids, carrot flies, Japanese beetles, and moles, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought and frost, is used to make fungicides and insecticides, is both edible and medicinal and self-sows!
(Trifolium incarnatum ‘Crimson’)
Crimson Clover is an annual flower native to Europe but grows across the U.S. in nearly every state. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 1-3' and features hairy rosette unbranched stems, 1/2-1” heart-shaped leaflets, and 1-2 1/2” cylindrical flower heads that bare ½ vibrant red florets. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is drought and frost tolerant, and provides forage to livestock!
(Coriandrum sativum ‘Leisure')
Leisure Coriander is a warm-weather annual herb that is native to the western Mediterranean and southern Europe but can be found growing throughout meadows and fields in the coastline and border states of the U.S. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 24-36” and features fern-like, finely-divided upper leaves, lobed lower leaves that resemble Italian Parsley, and 2” compound umbels that have white to pale lavender flower blooms. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, repels aphids and spider mites, is horse and rabbit safe, is used to flavor perfume and soap, tolerates light frost, is used to make fungicides, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cosmos sulphureus ‘Bright Lights’)
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Bright Lights Cosmos Mix is an annual warm-weather flower native to Mexico but can commonly be found growing in fallow fields and along roadsides and railroads throughout the southern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 1-3' and features narrowly divided, slightly hairy green foliage and 2-3” yellow, orange, or red semi-double flowers with scallop-edged petals and yellow centers. This plant attracts bees, birds, butterflies, ladybugs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, tolerates drought, self-sows, and is used as a cut flower!
(Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candy Stripe’)
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Candy Stripe Cosmos is an annual warm-weather flower that is native to Mexico but can commonly be found growing throughout the southern and northeastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-6' and features finely divided, feathery-green foliage and white petaled with pink edged flowers with yellow centers. This plant attracts bees, birds, butterflies, ladybugs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, tolerates drought, self-sows, and is used as a cut flower!
(Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Radiance’)
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Radiance Cosmos is an annual warm-weather flower native to Mexico but can commonly be found growing along roadsides and railroads throughout the southern and northeastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-6' and features finely divided, feathery green foliage and 2-3” flowers with yellow centers and scallop-edged petals of medium pink that darken too bright pink or fuchsia at the center. This plant attracts bees, birds, butterflies, ladybugs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, tolerates drought, self-sows, and is used as a cut flower!
(Anethum graveolens ‘Dukat')
Dukat Dill is an annual herb that is native to the Mediterranean and Asia but can be commonly found growing throughout the Midwest, northeastern, and west coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-5' and features stiff hollow stems, sweet-scented, bluish-green, feathery foliage, and compound 10” umbrella-shaped umbels that are topped by yellow aromatic flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, repels aphids, spider mites, and squash bugs, is rabbit safe, tolerates deer, its leaves are used as an insect repellent, tolerates drought and light frost, is used to flavor soaps, is used to make insecticides, is both edible and medicinal and self-sows!
(Calendula officinalis ‘English Marigold’)
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English Marigold is an aromatic annual flower that is native to Spain and is commonly found growing along roadsides in the eastern and western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features narrow, slightly hairy pointed leaves and bright orange 3-4” double blooms. This plant can be grown in containers, attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, repels ants, tolerates rabbits, is both edible and medicinal, makes dye and insect repellent, self-sows, and is used as a cut flower!
(Foeniculum vulgare ‘Florence')
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Florence Fennel is a perennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean but can be commonly found growing throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-5' and features a rounded, branching, celery-like stalk, yellowish-green, feathery foliage and umbrella shaped heads of tiny yellow flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, damsel bugs, hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, tolerates deer, is used to flavor air fresheners, perfumes, soaps, and toothpaste, the leaves are used to repel insects, tolerates drought and light frost, is used to make dyes, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Tagetes erecta ‘Naughty Marietta’)
Naughty Marietta Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 6-12” and features divided green foliage and aromatic flower heads with yellow petals with mahogany streaks at their base. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids.
(Tagetes erecta ‘Sparky Mix’)
Sparky Marigold is a compact annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing on banks and slopes throughout the central and eastern United States. This plant grows up to 9-12 inches tall and has green foliage that is divided. Its orange and yellow flowers have wavy petals and emit a pleasant aroma. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids.
(Tagetes Erecta ‘Kilimanjaro White’)
Kilimanjaro White Marigold is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 18” and features divided green foliage and 2-4” white/light yellow flower blooms. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, is resistant to deer, repels bean beetles, cabbage loopers, and nematodes, is both edible and medicinal, is used to make dye and insecticides, and can be used as a trap crop for aphids.
(Mentha Pulegium ‘European’)
European Pennyroyal is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Northern Africa but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12” and features hairy stems, mint scented, lance-shape, toothed leaves, and small lilac to pinkish-purple colored flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, makes essential oils, leaves are used as a rodent repellent, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Mentha ‘piperita’)
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Peppermint is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and central Asia but can be commonly found growing in wetlands and along streams throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features 1-2” dark green, toothed, lance-shape, aromatic leaves and terminal spikes that bare small pinkish/lavender flowers. This plant can be grown in containers, attracts bees and butterflies, repels ants, aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, squash bugs, and white flies, is resistant to deer and rabbits, is sued to make essential oils and potpourri, its leaves are used to repel rodents, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Tropaeolum minus ‘Empress of India’)
Empress of India Nasturtium is an introduced, cool-weather annual flower native to South America that grows in moist mountainous areas throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant can reach a height of 12” and features rounded light green leaves and 2 1/2” 5-petaled bright red aromatic flowers. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, repels squash bugs, self-sows, is resistant to deer and rabbits, is used to make insecticides, has medicinal properties, and can be sued as a trap crop for aphids!
(Tropaeolum minus ‘Jewel Mix’)
Jewel Mix Nasturtium is an introduced, cool-weather, annual flower native to South America that grows in moist mountainous areas throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant can reach a height of 12” and features rounded light green leaves and 2 1/2” 5-petaled peach, pink, yellow, orange, and red aromatic flowers. This plant can be grown in containers or hanging baskets, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, repels squash bugs, self-sows, is resistant to deer and rabbits, is used to make insecticides, has medicinal properties, and can be sued as a trap crop for aphids!
(Petroselinum crispum 'Italian Giant')
Italian Giant Parsley is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-16” and features flat, dark, glossy green leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts hoverflies, predatory wasps, and tachinid flies, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, is used to flavor perfumes and repel insects, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Penstemon strictus ‘Rocky Mountain’)
Rocky Mountain Penstemon is a native perennial flower that grows throughout the southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3' and features large lance-shaped green leaves, tall stems, and bluish/purple tubular flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, hoverflies, and ladybugs, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, and is used as a cut flower!
(Limnanthes douglasii ‘Poached Egg Plant’)
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Poached Egg Plant is a native annual flower that can be found growing throughout wet grassy areas of California and Oregon. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 6” and features green fern-like foliage and aromatic 5-petaled white flowers that are yellow at their base. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, self-sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Connecticut Field')
Connecticut Field Pumpkin is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, but has been growing in gardens throughout the United States since the 1700's. At maturity, the vines of this plant reaches the length of 8-10' and features rounded, lightly ridged orange pumpkins averaging 20-30 lbs. This plant attracts bees is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita argyrosperma 'Cushaw Green Striped')
Cushaw Green Striped Pumpkin is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Southern Mexico, but has been growing in gardens throughout the United States since the early 1800's. At maturity, the vines of this plant reaches the length of 10-25' and features cream and green striped, long necked pumpkins with pale orange flesh averaging 10-20 lbs. This plant attracts bees is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Jack O' Lantern')
Jack O' Lantern Pumpkin is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South America, but has been growing in gardens throughout the United States since the 1800's. At maturity, the vines of this plant reaches the length of 8-10' and features rounded, lightly ridged orange pumpkins averaging 20-30 lbs. This plant attracts bees is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita moschata 'Fairytale')
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Fairytale Pumpkin is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Central and South America but has been growing in gardens throughout the United States since the 1899. At maturity, the vines of this plant reaches the length of 10' and features 12-18" deep orange flesh pumpkins that are deeply lobed and weight up to 15 lbs. This plant attracts bees, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Raphanus sativus 'Early Scarlet Globe')
Early Scarlet Globe Radish is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Southern Europe, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 9” and features 1" round red radish with crisp white flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates light frost, is rabbit safe, repels beetles and carrot fly, can be used as a trap crop for Japanese Beetles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Raphanus sativus 'German Giant')
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German Giant Radish is an Amish heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Germany, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-6” and features 3-4" red skinned, round radishes with white flesh. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates light frost, is rabbit safe, repels beetles and carrot fly, can be used as a trap crop for Japanese Beetles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Raphanus sativus 'Watermelon')
Watermelon Radish is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Northern China, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 9” and features large globes that are greenish white on the outside and have a bright red/pink inside. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates light frost, is rabbit safe, repels beetles and carrot fly, can be used as a trap crop for Japanese Beetles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Raphanus sativus 'White Spear Sprouting')
(Cucurbita pepo 'Dark Green')
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Dark Green Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features 4-7" small, uniform, high-quality fruit that has dark green with light fleck skin. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty ')
Black Beauty Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Storrs, Connecticut where it was bred at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station by John Scarchuk in the 1920's. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features 6-8" shiny black-green zucchini with creamy, white flesh. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Early White Bush Scallop')
Early White Scallop Bush Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-48” and features creamy white, 7” across and 3” deep scalloped squashes. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Early Yellow Crookneck')
Early Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 5-6" light yellow, crookneck squashes with slightly warted skin. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Grey Zucchini')
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Grey Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 7-9" zucchini with mottled grayish green skin. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Scallop Yellow Bush')
Yellow Bush Scallop Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 2-3" bright yellow, rounded patty pan squashes with scalloped edges. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Sweet Meat')
Sweet Meat Winter Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the United States and was first offered in Portland, Oregon by the Gill Brothers Seed company in 1947. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 6-10' and features rounded, pale bluish gray squashes that average 10-20 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Vegetable Spaghetti')
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Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to China, but was introduced into the United States by Burpee Seed Company in 1936. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 8' and features 9-12” oval, cream colored squashes that average 5-7 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Waltham Butternut')
Waltham Butternut Winter Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts where it was bred by Bob Young in Waltham, Massachusetts. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 6-9' and features 8-12” long. pale tan squashes that have yellowish-orange flesh and average 3-6 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is horse and rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Beauty’)
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Autumn Beauty Sunflower is a native annual flower that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 5-6' and features hairy stems & heart-shaped green leaves, and 4-6” yellow, orange, red, bronze, or mahogany flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, makes dye, and is used as a cut flower!
(Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’)
Mammoth Sunflower is a native annual plant that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 8-12' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 12-24” yellow flower heads. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye!
(Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Mexican’)
Mexican Sunflower is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing throughout Louisiana and Florida. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 4-6' and features 3-12” lobed dark green leaves and 3” orange-red flowers with orange-yellow disks. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, and is used as a cut flower!
(Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’)
Velvet Queen Sunflower is a native annual plant that grows in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 3-4' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 4-6” flowers in shades of bronze, red, and mahogany with dark centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye!
(Achillea millefolium 'Rubra')
Red Yarrow is a native mat-forming perennial that can be commonly found growing along roadways and in fields and lawns throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 1-2' and features erect stems, medium green fern-like foliage, and clusters of red flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, repels beetles, and flies, the leaves are burned to repel mosquitoes, is used as a compost activator, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, dye, essential oil, and liquid plant food, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
(Achillea millefolium 'White')
White Yarrow is a native mat-forming perennial that can be commonly found growing along roadways and in fields and lawns throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features erect stems, medium green fern-like foliage, and clusters of white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, repels beetles, and flies, the leaves are burned to repel mosquitoes, is used as a compost activator, tolerates drought, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, dye, essential oil, and liquid plant food, self sows, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!