Dear Helen: I have a special interest, along with many others I鈥檓 sure, in heirloom flowers and vegetables. Is there a list of seed sources for them, and have you personally used any of them?聽
F.O.
There is a list of Canadian seed companies that sell heritage seeds on the Seeds of Diversity website: seeds.ca. Click on Canadian Seed Catalogue Index. The left hand side of the page that comes up will have a list of Seed Companies in sa国际传媒 with links to their emails and websites.
In my Jan. 11 column, I wrote about three local companies focussed on open-pollinated (non-hybrid) and heritage flowers, herbs and vegetables. They are Salt Spring Seeds, Full Circle Seeds (Sooke) and Brother Nature Seeds (Victoria).
Of the catalogues I order from each year, West Coast Seeds, William Dam Seeds and T&T Seeds all use symbols to mark heirloom listings.
I鈥檝e also ordered fairly regularly from three more sources that specialize in heirloom and traditional seeds:
Seed Savers Exchange (). The print catalogue is brilliant. This year, however, they are changing Canadian customers $12 for it. The website is very easily navigated though.
Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck squash and the Starfire signet marigold blend from this source are personal favourites. The gorgeous Grandpa Ott鈥檚 morning glory is one of two seeds that inspired the creation of Seed Savers Exchange. 鈥淕randpa Ott鈥� is the grandfather of the company鈥檚 co-owner,
Florabunda Seeds (). I often return to personal favourites found only here. An example is Naughty Marietta, the oldest dwarf French marigold (Tagetes patula) still available. Amid bewildering numbers of newer varieties, Naughty Marietta remains the one I like best. The plants are loaded with single, bright gold flowers. Each petal base bears a dark burgundy marking.
A most unusual heirloom among Florabunda鈥檚 annual flowers is an Australian wildflower called Sturt鈥檚 Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa). The foliage is silky grey-green and pea-like. The leafy blooms are blood red, each one with a bulbous black centre.
Here you鈥檒l find heirloom sweet peas, numerous seed blends and collections including a Victorian children鈥檚 flower mix called My Secret Garden, and a 鈥渃ottage garden must鈥� annual flower known as Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate.
J.L. Hudson, Seedsman (). This source lists a cornucopia of varieties not to be found anywhere else. Monet鈥檚 Poppy, a listing under Papaver, originated from seeds collected 鈥渇rom the garbage pile at Monet鈥檚 garden in Giverny, France. The blooms are lavender-pink.
The rosy-purple spreading Wild Petunia is one of two parents of modern petunias. Wild Garden Kale mix, a diverse result from crossing Siberian and Russian kale, looks worth a try, as does a Jewel Box Mix of 鈥渄ense-headed 鈥楪em鈥� lettuce types in many colours, often streaked or spotted.鈥� These little romaine lettuces form heads with hearts of 鈥渨ine-red, rose, amber or butter yellow.鈥�
Lunga di Napoli, a southern Italian heirloom winter squash, has a long neck with rounded end, and 鈥渧ivid orange鈥� flesh with a mild, sweet flavour.
GARDEN EVENTS
Dahlia meeting. The Victoria Dahlia Society will meet Thursday, 7:30 p.m. in The Victorian at McKenzie, 4000 Douglas St. Featured will be 鈥淎n Introduction to聽Dahlias.鈥� There will also be a brief tutorial on using Instagram and how to聽post your dahlia photos on the society鈥檚 account. Visitors are welcome.
Salt Spring Seedy Saturday. This Feb. 8 event will run between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Farmers鈥� Institute, 251聽Rainbow Rd. and will feature vendors, food, an exchange of seeds, and kids鈥� activities.聽
HCP classes. The Horticulture Centre of聽the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering the following courses. To register call 250-479-6162. Details at
鈥� Plant Identification and Culture, Saturday, Feb. 15, 1 to 4 p.m. This is an ongoing series of聽 monthly classes that can be joined at any time. In each session Diane Pierce introduces 25 new plants with descriptions, preferred growing conditions, landscape uses and maintenance. Cost to HCP members per session is $35, others $45. Cost for 12 sessions: members $350, others $450.
鈥� Grow Your Own Wellness Journey, a series of six Sunday sessions. Next in the series is on Feb. 16., 2 to 4 p.m. Learn how to decrease stress and increase wellness through connecting with nature and the seasons. Cost $45 per session for HCP members and non-members.
鈥� Wicker Basket with Wood Base Workshop, Sunday, Feb. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Members $120, others $140.
