Grown for their Flowers and Beautiful Foliage
Houseplants Grown for their Intense Fragrance
Houseplants Grown for their Unique Architectural Appearance
Exotic Houseplants Grown for Removing Indoor Pollution
AU115 LIPSTICK TREE (Annato, Achiote, Achuete, Urucu) Bixa orellana. From the Amazon region and Central America. Large rose, pink or white flowers with yellow stamens. Maroon to vivid scarlet 2 inch spiny pods. Red dye from seed pods used by Amazon Indians for face and body paint. Cultivated throughout the tropics as a coloring for lipstick, cloth, soap, paint and cheese. Used in Latin American Cuisine in place of the more expensive Saffron for coloring and flavoring in rice, stews, soup and meat. Zones 9-11, indoors or greenhouse. Used medicinally. Packet of 10 seeds $3.50 For Pictures/Culture Information Click Here
2047 RED HAWAIIAN HOLLY. Leea coccinea Not a true holly, but a very attractive evergreen shrub with glossy, serrated leaves that are bronze when young and bright green when mature. Flowers are an inflorescence of small red buds. Will flower very soon, sometimes at a height of only 1 ft. This is an excellent accent plant for tubs. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
D1126 TREE FERN. Asparagus virgatus. A relative of the Asparagus fern, this plant grows more like a bush with many graceful fronds. An excellent compliment plant for a ficus. Tropical houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95
D4535 ASPARAGUS FERN. SPRINGER'S ASPARAGUS. Asparagus densiflorus v. sprengeri. A charming plant with long, delicate, graceful fronds. An excellent houseplant that withstands abuse. Tiny white flowers with red fruit. Excellent for hanging baskets. Tropical houseplant. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
2044 MING FERN. Asparagus myriocladus. The Ming fern is a beautiful plant with bright green puffy clusters of soft green needles. One of the favorite Asparagus ferns for cutting and growing as a houseplant. A wonderful acccent plant. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
2045 FOXTAIL FERN. Asparagus Meyeri. A delightful, fast growing houseplant with dense, upright to slightly arching foxtail-like fronds 12-18" long, often used in pots or outside in warm gardens. A wonderful acccent plant that is quite hardy. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
2046 SICKLE LEAF ASPARAGUS VINE. Asparagus Falcatus. A large climbing plant having dark green, linear leaves and masses of fragrant white flowers at intervals. The flowers are followed by brown berries. A great plant for training indoors, or makes a great cover for a pergola, a fence or a wall, as its fronds can climb as long as 10 feet or more. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D4502 KANGAROO PAWS. Anigozanthos Manglesii. Odd half hardy perennials with swordlike leaves and stunning vivid red and green woolly flowers that do in fact resemble kangaroo paws. Makes excellent cut flowers. The floral emblem for Australia. Can be grown outdoors in the south where it attracts birds and butterflies. 3-4 ft. tall. Tropical, houseplant. Packet of 8 seeds $1.95
D4505 PHEASANT'S EYE. Adonis aestivalis. A hardy annual growing to 18" with brilliant crimson flowers up to 1 1/2 inches across held over feathery foliage. Easy to grow from seed. 18" tall. From Central Europe. Annual. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
D4509 WEEPING FICUS, WEEPING FIG. Ficus benjamina. One of the most recognizable house plants grown today. Very economical and easy to grow from seed and easy to care for. A fast growing plant that can become a centerpiece. Packet of 12 seeds $1.95 For Pictures/Culture Information Click Here
D2914 AFRICAN TULIP TREE, FOREST BLAZE. Spathodea companulata. A spectacularly dazzling plant with glorious fern-like folieage. Bright crimson-red 4 inch uniquely-shaped flowers with yellow frilled edges. Pinnate leaves are up to 20 inches long. The wood is used for making native drums. Zones 10-11 or grow as large houseplant in colder zones. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95 For Pictures/Culture Information Click Here
SO525 CANDLEBUSH. Cassia alata. A tropical plant that is easily grown indoors. Has handsome foliage and candle-like spikes of yellow flowers. A must for every houseplant lover Packet of 5 seeds $2.50 For Pictures/Culture Information Click Here
KC124 NAKED TREE. Eythrina fusca. From Costa Rica, one of the most resplendent plants in the tropical world. It acquired its curious name because it has a habit of blooming about two months before its leaves appear. The scarlet-red flowers stand upright on the branch tips.Zones 9-11 or indoors. 5 Packet of seeds $2.00
KC125 CANDLE TREE. Parmentiera ceraifera. From Costa Rica, a very distinctive small tree with rough bark and bell-shaped, curved white flowers to 3 inches long. Hanging directly from the branches are curious, cylindrical 1 inch long, fleshy, greenish yellow fruit resembling wax candles with an apple-like odor. Zones 9-11 or indoors. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
2959 CORAL TREE, COCKSCOMB BUSH. Erythrina smithiana. From Ecuador, a shrub that is often grown in pots and brought inside during the coldest times of the year. Has brilliant green leaves and vivid red flowers resembling waxed sweet peas. Its tropical heart-shaped foliage makes a nice houseplant. Zones 9-11 or indoors. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
KC127 HOT POKER TREE. Eythrina poeppigiana. From Costa Rica, a fast growing medium-size bushy plant of tantalizing beauty. The strout trunk has showy cork-like texture. A profusion of dazzling, large bright orange flowers, curiously shaped in the form of a poker, are produced for many weeks. Zones 9-11 or indoors. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
KC130 EMERALD EBONY JACARANDA. Jacaranda mimosaefolia. From Costa Rica, an utterly magnificant wide-canopied tree, member of the mimosa family and known for its glamorous feathery foliage. Pretty cream-colored flowers produced in massive heads, followed by the curious looking ear-shaped fruit pods. Zones 9-11 & Indoors. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
SO397 DRAGON TREE. (Drago) Dracaena draco. Not really a tree although it will reach up to 60 ft. outside. It is most often raised inside in large containers. Has large sword-like leaves in a rosette-shape. A great patio plant. Packet of 8 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
SO298 MICKEY MOUSE PLANT. Ochna serrulata. A delightful evergreen shrub to 5 ft. with leathery, oblong leaves. Glossy calyx turns red then black against a background of red petals which do represent the Mickey Mouse image. A tropical plant well suited for inside. Kids love them! Packet of 5 seeds $2.50
AU114 YELLOW ORCHID TREE. Bauhinia tomentosa. Same small tree as the specie above, only flowers are yellow. Zones 9-11 or indoors. Packet of 5 seeds $3.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
NW20 SPIRAL GINGER. (Cañahuate) Costus guaniensis v. macrostrobilus. A fast grower 6 to 8 ft. Its red flower bract produces a dense mass of white and yellow flowers that are tinged pink. Its numerous spiraling stems and beautiful flowers make this a handsome houseplant specimen if raised in a large container. A refreshing drink is made from the edible stalk. This plant has a unique appearance. Zones 10 - 11 or indoors in cooler climates. Packet of 3 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC160 LUCIFER'S TORCH. Canna indica. A delicate slender plant with well-appointed bamboo-like canes and long slim leaves, bright green. The exceptionally beautiful flowers are flaming orange-maroon with extremely pretty petals that attract humming birds. A delightful sight to behold inside or outside of any home. Can be raised outside in cool climates, but rhizomes but be dug up and stored in a cool dry place for the winter. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00
KC161 BRONZE-BURGUNDY CANNA. Canna. A bold intriguing canna with leaf & stalk colors ranging from olive green to bronze to burgundy. Delicate flowers are orchid-shaped bright oragne. Outside during the summer this Canna is very profilic and will produce many stately 6 ft. to 10 ft. canes. Requires full sun to flower. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC162 TORCH GINGER. Nicolaia elatior. A beautiful houseplant or landscape plant in warm regions. It forms neat clumps of rubust canes that rise up with strikingly beautiful inflorescences of large heads in brilliant red-maroon, marginated white, and nestled in crimson cones with yellow tips. Zones 10 - 11 or indoors in cooler climates. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC180 GOLD RUSH TREE, GOLDEN SHOWER TREE, INDIAN LABURNUM. Cassia fistula. A small tree originally from India growing to 30 ft. tall, yet perfectly suited for restricted growth indoors in a container. This little tree has extremely graceful foliage, producing scented clusters of golden-yellow flowers which cascade from the branches makiing the plant look as if it were basking in a heavenly tropical sunset. A truly exotic houseplant. Zones 10-11 or houseplant in cooler climates. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC181 PINK LADY, APPLEBLOSSOM SHOWER. Cassia javanica. A small flowering tree with a beautiful wide-spreading crown. It has very pretty pale-green leaves 2 inches (5 cm) long. It produces a mass of gorgeous flowers, with petals at first pale red, changing to dark red, then palling again to pink. Zones 9-11 or indoors. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC184 PRIDE OF INDIA. QUEEN'S ROSE. Largestroemia speciosa. A very graceful ornamental tree with whispy branches and glossy narrow leaves. It produces pink-magenta flowers borne in a clustered form. Clusters of abundant berries appear on graceful stems. Zones of 10 - 11 grown in containers indoors in northern climate. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D4547 BOTTLEBRUSH PLANT. (Cola de Rata, Equiseto Menor) Callistemon citrinus. An excellent novelty plant. It will reach 3 ft. in height and in summer the cylindrical flower like spikes appear, no petals. Its unique flowers and handsome foliage make this a must for every flower garden. Leaves bronzy when young. The leaves give off a pleasant fragrance when bruised. Zones 10-11 grown in containers indoors in northern climate. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95
D4553 NIGHT JESSAMINE. (Jazmín del Noche) Cestrum nocturnum. A Jessamine-like plant that will fill a house with fragrance when their white tubular flowers open at night. Handsome green foliage. Easy to grow from seeds. Hardy. Will reach up to six ft. tall. Zones 9-11. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95 SOLD OUT
D4554 ORANGE JASMINE. (Jazmín Naranja) Murraya exotica. A beautiful shrub that is easy to raise in containers and has extremely fragrant flowers that resemble those of the citrus bush. The fragrance of the flowers can be distinguished several feet away. The plant has beautiful foliage and can be raised outside in the South. Extremely hard seeds to come by. Zones 9-11. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
D4555 WINTER SWEET. Chimonanthus praecox. An extremely fragrant deciduous shrub with pale yellow flowers stained purplish red inside. The plant flowers in the winter, filling the house with its beautiful fragrance. Very rare seeds. Zones 7-9. Packet of 5 seeds $3.50
D5165 SWEET SHADE. Calycanthus floridus. A fast growing shrub with very fragrant reddish brown flowers. The bark of the plant can be used as cinnamon substitute. Zones 5-9. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00
D4503 COFFEE PLANT. Coffea arabica catura. The world's most important trade crop also makes a wonderful house plant. The plants have dark shiny-green leaves and white fragrant flowers. A very ornamental plant. Very unique. Zones 10-11. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC131 DAFFODIL TREE. Thevitia peruviana. A well-groomed rich-looking evergreen with long narrow luxuriant, glossy leaves with edges rolled under large 4 inch (10 cm) funnel shaped flowers. These flowers are predominantly yellow, shading to pink or orange, and are sweetly fragrant. .Zones 10-11 & Easy houseplant to grow Indoors in northern climates. Packet of 3 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC183 KING'S FRUIT. Ambarella. Spondias dulcis. Has smooth grey bark with bright green foliage oddly clustered at branch ends. Produces small greenish-white flowers in large clusters. Orange-colored fruit has an apple-flavored yellw pulp. It is said that this exotic tropical fruit was a favorite of Spanish royalty. Winter hardy in the tropical zones of 10 - 11, but is easily grown in containers indoors in northern climate. Packet of 3 seeds $2.75 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC188 GARDENIA FLOWER. Gardenia jasminoides. An ornamental shrub of mystical, and outstanding beauty. Besides being a splendid, easily grown plant, it also produces an unforgettable scent, an ingredient of romance. The pure-white flowers average 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter and bloom in profusion. Packet of 5 seeds $3.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC2929 PARADISE BIRD, PRIDE OF BARBADOS, DWARF POINCIANA. Caesalpinia pulcherrima. An attractive plant from Costa Rica with lacey mimosa-like foliage. Terminal inflorescenve with five flaring golden-yellow petals about 1 inch accross and displaying handsome long red stamens. A very desirable and easy to grow houseplant. Zones 9-11 or indoors. Packet of 5 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D4598 MONKEY POD RAIN TREE, BRAZILIAN RAIN TREE. Samanea saman. Few people realize that this magnificent Rain Forest tree can be raised inside in containers. Its name comes from the fact that when it rains, the fern like foliage closes up to let the rain pass through. Bears beautiful glowing pink flowers followed by attractive green and black pods that contain a sweet pulp that is eaten by monkeys in its jungle habitat. Very easy to raise from seeds. Tropical houseplant. Packet of 5 seeds $3.00
D4512 RUBBER TREE PLANT. Ficus decora. Another popular member of the Ficus family. Although rather expensive to purchase as plants from nurseries, it can be raised for pennies each from seed. Zone 11. Packet of 12 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D5111 SENSITIVE PLANT. Dormilona. Mimosa pudica. A small shrub that has pale green pinnate leaves that retract when touched, the stalks bending at the same time; after half an hour, if not further disturbed, the leaves resume their normal position. The global flower heads are pink and feathery. Packet of 12 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D4521 PERUVIAN LILY. Alstroemeria pulchella v. Mona Lisa. Showy South American flowers that produce abundant red, yellow or purple flowers that are often strikingly spotted or streaked. A collector's plant. Can be grown outside in South. Zones 8-10. Packet of 4 seeds $1.95
D4513 BO TREE, PIPAL, PEEPFUL FIG. Ficus religosa. The Buddha meditated under this tree for 7 years and attained enlightenment. It is a sacred tree of both Buddhists and Hindi. A beautiful house plant that will produce edible figs, however they are mostly limited to making preserves. Lovely green foliage on a twisting, spiraling stalk. Fast growing. Zones 10-11. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95
KC159 FOREST LILAC. Matero Negro. Gliricidia sepium. A very pretty ornamental tree often used in the tropics to shade young cocoa plants. It produces pink flowers borne in a clustered form. The juice from the leaves has been used for centuries by native Indians as a home remedy to stop baldness. Zones 10-11 or indoors. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC178 PINK SHOWER. Cassia grandis. An ornamental tree with spreading branches. It has elegantly-placed leaved, slim and long, pink when young. Lavender buds open into rich coral flowers amassed in thick clusters. A gorgeous houseplant that should be kept pruned down. Zones 10-11 or indoors. 5 Packet of seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
1A005 SCREW PINE. Pandanus utilis. A slow growing tree type plant with long leathery sword leaves sharply serrated at edges and arranged in a spiral manner. The tree will develop stilt roots. Requires warmth and bright light as an inside plant. We recommend soaking seeds in warm water/CAPE Seed Primer for 24 hours before sowing. Packet of 2 seeds $2.00
2133 EVERGREEN GRAPE. Rhoicissus capensis A new wonder from South Africa. Tender, evergreen, tendril-bearing vine; Roots producing globose tubers; leaves simple to 8 inches across, orbicular to reniform, coarsely crenate, rusty-tomentose beneath; fruit in axillary clusters, an edible, glossy reddish-purple berry, to 3/4 inch in diameter. Does well inside where it can climb, also good for covering archways and trellises. Packet of 10 seeds $3.25
1A025 SEAGRAPES. Coccoloba uvilfera A plant for the lover of rarities. It will grow in the house, conservatory or outside in warm climates. Has huge, stiff olive-green leaves with red veins that turn cream colored with age. Bears fragrant white flowers followed by red grape-like fruits. Grow in a large tub and given lots of light. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95
NASA has conducted tests that prove the following type of plants can significantly reduce the amount of indoor pollution in your home. They trap and filter out harmful chemical agents and smoke particles. Even the air in a new home in the country can be polluted from the chemical vapors released from the carpet, plywood and other construction materials.
D1102 BLUE LILY OF THE NILE. Agapanthus africanus and Agapanthus orientales. Showy perennial plant with flowers the shape of large globes and a beautiful hue of blue. The foliage is large, dark green leaves resembling day lilies. 24" high. Zones 9-10. Packet of 20 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
ON SALE! D1105 CABBAGE TREE PALM. Cordyline australis. A must for every house plant collection. The Cabbage Tree Palm makes a beautiful container plant that is easy to care for. Its long slender grass fingers make for a perfect false palm. It is fast growing and tolerates abuse and low light. It is low maintenance and long lived. Zones 10-11 or indoors Packet of 10 seeds $1.00 - Normally $1.95
D1107 FLOWERING BANANA. Musa coccinea. A compact banana plant for indoors that only grows to about 4 ft. Attractive flowers are followed by small banana fruit. The seeds are slow to germinate but well worth the wait. Makes a great gift!. Zones 10-11. Packet of 5 seeds $3.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC164 ORNAMENTAL BANANA. Musa ornata. A compact banana plant for indoors that only grows to about 5 ft. Attractive flowers are followed by small banana fruit. The seeds are slow to germinate but well worth the wait. Makes a great gift!. Zones 10-11. Packet of 5 seeds $3.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC166 PURPLE BANANA, RED BANANA, VELVET BANANA. Musa velutina. From the lush rain forests of Costa Rica, an extremely showy ornamental banana tree which only reaches 5 feet in height. SlenDer trunk with long green leaves and a flaming-red flowering head elegantly tinged yellow. Small purple velvety fruit fingers are great conversation piece. Zones 10-11 or indoors for the winter. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50
KC167 ZEBRA BANANA BLOOD BANANA. Musa zebrina. Another beauty from the tropics. Definately the most unusual-looking member of the banana family. A slender highly-ornamental plant growing to to 6 feet high with tall trunk bearing delicate long-stalked leaves, satiny bluish green, richly variegated with blackish blood-red and a midrib of brown-red. Zones 9-11 or indoors for the winter. May survive winters in southern parts of zone 8 if planted near a wall or building opposite side from prevailing winds and mulched heavily. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D5137 RADERMACHERA, CHINA DOLL. Radermachera sinica. A perfect houseplant. It tolerates the dry air of central heat well, and does not require direct sunlight. A decorative shrub with large compound leaves. Takes little time to raise from seed. Zones 10-11. Packet of 15 seeds $1.95
D5147 SCHEFFLERA. (Octopus Plant, Umbrella Plant). Schefflera arboricola. One of the most common shrubs used for house plants because of its easy to care for habits. We offer a compact variety, not as prone to spreading. Zones 10-11. Packet of 15 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
2131 PITTMAN'S PRIDE DWARF SCHEFFLERA. Schefflera arboricola var. pittman's pride. A wonderful dwarf version of schefflera for small pots, windowsills, etc. Introduced 6 years ago S. 'Pittmans Pride' is an excellent dwarf form of Schefflera arboricola. With shorter internodes and smaller overall form S. Pittmans Pride is ideal for growers who need a more compact form. Schefflera 'Pittmans Pride' was the unexpected result of seed produced from a form of Schefflera arboricola. S. 'Pittmans Pride' produces an exceptionally full 10 inch pot without pinching. The main drawback is that in the larger sizes the production time is substantially longer than the regular form of Schefflera arboricola. Packet of 15 seeds $2.25
1108 SELLOUM PHILODENDRON. Philodendron selloum. This has magnificent foliage with deeply lobed leaves up to 20 inches long and 28 inches wide. Does well in partial shade and is a good container plant. Eventually forms palm-like trunk. Zones 8-11. Packet of 15 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D1109 BIRD OF PARADISE. (Ave del Paraíso) Strelitzia reginae. One of the most attractive of all tropical plants. It comes from S Africa. The flowers take shape of a most peculiar form, resembling birds in flight. Grows to a height of about 3 ft. Tropical houseplant. Packet of 5 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC2929 PARADISE BIRD, PRIDE OF BARBADOS, DWARF POINCIANA. Caesalpinia pulcherrima. An attractive plant from Costa Rica with lacey mimosa-like foliage. Terminal inflorescence with five flaring golden-yellow petals about 1 inch across and displaying handsome long red stamens. A very desirable and easy to grow houseplant. Zones 10-11 or indoors. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
KC2980 FLAME OF THE FOREST, ROYAL POINCIANA, Malinche, Arbol de Fuego. Delonix regia. From the rainforests of Costa Rica, it is called the tropics most glorious flowering tree. The flowers are vivid scarlet and boune copiuosly all over the shallow, domed crown. Seen in many Latin American cities and towns growing along the streets and avenues. Zones 10-11 or indoors. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
1115 CALLA LILY. (Cala) Zantedeschia aethiopica. The Calla Lily is a traditional flower of bridal bouquets and makes a great House plant. It is almost indestructible. It has magnificent blooms with white, cornucopia like spathes. Zones 8-10. Packet of 4 seeds $2.00
KC111 MONKEY'S COMB, MONKEY'S BRUSH. Apeiba aspera. A magnificent plant with awesome foliage. The heavily scented flowers are bright yellow, followed by curious sea-urchin like fruits 2 inches (5cm) in diameter, which are chocolate brown and covered with short, soft spines the subject of folk tales, that these spiny fruit pods are used as combs, or brushes by the monkeys. Zones 10-11 or houseplant in cooler climates. Packet of 10 seeds $2.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D1121 RED SILK COTTON TREE. Bombax malabaricum A very showy plant from India that can be grown in containers. The slender stemmed plant bears large scarlet red cup shaped flowers up to 4" across followed by 6" long fruits filled with silky fibers used to stuff pillows. Can grow to 100 ft. in Zones 10-11. Packet of 2 seeds $1.80
D1151 ERECT PALM LILY. Cordyline stricta. An elegant palm like plant of 3-8 ft. with closely set narrow 1-2 ft. leaves from upright, rigid stems. Pale blue lilac flowers. Makes a perfect false palm plant for hallways, patios. Zones 9-10. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95
W103 HAWAIIAN GOOD LUCK PLANT. Cordyline Terminalis A most unusual looking plant with a sturdy base and 1 ft. long leaves. Raise this one for its unique color. This plant has a particular intense leaf color, pink to red fluorescent. Outside, it can be grown as an evergreen tropical perennial reaching 7 ft. in zones 9 and higher. It is best known as an indoor container plant used as a houseplant and used in tropical cut flower arrangements. Packet of 10 seeds $2.50
D1154 ELEPHANT EAR PHILODENDRON. Philodendron bipinnatifidum. A non-climbing species which may grow to a height of 3 ft. Leaves are about 16 inches long and wide and deeply incised with the familiar Philodendron look. Minimum 55°F. Packet of 10 seeds $1.95 For Picture Click Here
KC175 ELEPHANT EAR TREE, MONKEY'S EAR TREE, EAR TREE. Guanacaste. Enterolobium cyclocarpum. Named (in English) not because the delicate mimosa-like, feathery leaves resemble elephant's ears, but because the seed pods resemble ears. Eartree, Ear Tree, Elephant's Ear Tree, Guanacaste, is an utterly magnificent wide-canopied tree and is a member of the Mimosa Family. Pretty cream-colored flowers produced in massive heads are followed by the curious-looking ear-shaped fruit pods which are used for cattle feed. It is named "Guanacaste" (in Spanish) after the province of Guanacaste in north-western Costa Rica where it is a "state tree." This is the driest and hottest region of Costa Rica and is a climate suited to this magnificant tree - which, actually, is not a "rainforest tree" but is a "dryforest tree." Zones 10 - 11 or can be grown indors as a houseplant. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D1160 SILK TREE, MIMOSA. Albizia juliprissin. From Iran. A beautiful deciduous tree when raised outside, this tree also makes a wonderful tub plant. Has graceful, long feathery foliage and pink- yellow to white plume like flowers. The leaves are aromatic and used in Chinese cooking. This tree will develop multiple trunks and will grow to 30 or 35 ft. tall but will spread to a width of twice its height - needs space to spread out to show its best form. The leaflets fold up at night. Zones 6-9. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
D1164 GOLDEN MIMOSA. Aacacia baileyana. Australia. Small graceful tree well adapted to growing inside. Has such a profusion of beautiful flowers that they seem to cover the entire plant. Cold hardy to 18 degrees outside. Zones 7-10. Packet of 20 seeds $1.95
D1169 LEOPARD TREE. Caesalpinia ferrea. Very special. Has showy feathery foliage and yellow flowers. The trunk has white bark with brown spots. Thus, the name. Easily grown inside, it will be a conversation piece for years. Seeds are rare. Zones 9-11 or indoors for the winter. Packet of 2 seeds $2.50
Note about seed germination: Most species of seeds have hard casings to protect the seed "embryo". For most of these "hard" seeds, the outer shell must be scarred, scratched or softened in some way. Some species take up to a year to germinate and will need help in the beginning to get the shell softened. Most varieties of slow germinating seeds will turn black and rot if there is not sufficient heat in the soil (75 to 90 degrees F. for most species) or if the soil dries out or is allowed to remain too wet, which will encourage the growth of one or another of the varieties of fungus or mold. It is important to speed up germination and to get the plants growing as soon as possible in order to avoid potential problems. Anyone who has soaked dried beans before cooking is familiar with the process of softening up the shell. When the outer shell is softened it allows the contents to expand. Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) can help in softening up these outer shells. It is available in many drug stores, but for those who have difficulty obtaining a small amount, we offer 1 teaspoon packets for $1.00. Soak the seeds in a solution of one teaspoon of the Saltpeter to one quart of warm water for at least 24 hours. Do not allow the seeds to dry out but sow them immediately using the remaining solution to water the soil or other growing medium. Soak several species of seeds at once in smaller containers of the same solution and have the containers of growing medium or soil ready for planting as soon as the soaking period is complete. SS100 Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) one teaspoon packet $1.00
See our free report on How to Grow Plants from Seed for further information. Our Do-it-Yourself Seed Starter Kit Plans (only $2.00) will show you what you can do to give your seeds the best possible chance of germinating. Return to Houseplants Index RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE FIND YOUR U.S.A. CLIMATE ZONE PRINT & MAIL ORDER FORM TO ORDER BY MAIL OR FAX RETURN TO SEED LIST & INFORMATION PAGE RETURN TO HOME PAGE GreenDealer Exotic Seeds, P.O. Box 37328, Louisville, KY 40233-7328 USA Fax orders to: (502) 459-9054 Using VISA or MasterCard.
See our free report on How to Grow Plants from Seed for further information. Our Do-it-Yourself Seed Starter Kit Plans (only $2.00) will show you what you can do to give your seeds the best possible chance of germinating.