Spring Arbour Farm Heritage Seed Catalogue 2000
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The vegetables are listed alphabetically by variety below the flowers.
Flowers are listed first by colour and then by height red low, red middle, red tall, blue low, blue middle, blue tall yellow low, yellow middle, yellow tall, white and mixed colours,. Many of the flower varieties were used by Claude Monet in his gardens at Giverny. He tended to select varieties that had simple colours in masses. He favoured flower beds of one colour but drifting from the darkest to the lightest shades within the bed. These two simple rules create artistic gardens that look like Impressionist paintings. The farm is in a 6a plant hardiness zone but most varieties are very hardy and easy to grow in most temperate regions.
Sweet William, Oillet de Poete, 1750
Although Sweet William is a biennial, it may reseed itself. It produces clusters of fragrant flowers in a wide range of colours including red, purple, pink, and white
Zinnias, Rose Pinwheel
direct seed when soil thoroughly warmed, cool damp conditions will rot the seed. Thin to 1 ft in row 3 ft. between rows. Like fairly rich soil and plenty of water. Single rose-pink daisy-like flowers 8cm/3 in. across with yellow centres, grow with abundance on vigorous spreading plants. It is the first rose Zinnia with mildew resistance, and it keeps growing even in humid climates. Fine for borders and cutting. Height 30cm/1 ft.
Dianthus - Garden Pinks,Chinensis Double
A mixture of double carnation like flowers in shades of red white and pink. It likes well drained soil and sunny location Blooms June - July 1 1/2 feet tall. It is best to start indoors in March.
Summer Phlox, Drummondi Mixed, 1776
This hardy perennial Phlox provides rich colour all summer long. Florets on large heads are shades of pink, mauve, red and others. Freeze seeds for 30 days before planting or sow in the late fall. Self seeding once established. Blooms from July to September. 3 feet.tall
Canterbury Bells, campanula calycanthema, 1600
Tall spikes of cup and saucer flowers in shades of rose, purple, pink and white. A biennial .Blooms from June to July 3 feet
Poppy,Shirley, double mixed, late 1800s
Early blooming spreading plants with large dazzling flowers and lacy foliage. Thrives in hot, dry locations. Excellent as a border plant or cut flower. Sow seed directly outdoors early spring or late fall. Dainty pink, red and salmon shading to white at the centre. Grow to 60cm/2 ft.height.
Poppy, Oriental Scarlet, 1600
A mixture of huge, brilliantly coloured single flowers on long stems. Foliage is deeply toothed, Oriental Poppy dislikes being moved, so plant in permanent location. May - June 3ft.
Dahliaed Zinnias, mix
direct seed when soil thoroughly warmed, cool damp conditions will rot the seed. Thin to 1 ft in row 3 ft. between rows. Like fairly rich soil and plenty of water. Long stemmed double flowers with round petals.
Scarlet Flax, linum grandiflorum rubrum, annual
Crimson red cup-shaped flowers on tall stems. Showy and easy to grow. 1 1/2 ft.
Red Yarrow, Achilleu millefolium rubra
Impressive all round remedies without equal. Owing to their bitter principles, they have the reputation as general fortifiers, helping to build the bodies natural resistance. They improve digestion circulation, and the functions of the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. They are valuable wound herd for cuts and make excellent cosmetic lotions for cleansing and beautifying the skin. Cherry red coloured flowers.
Hollyhocks, alcea rosea, 1600
As a gargle, the dried flower tea helps sooth oral inflammations. Tall majestic flower spikes of double red, pink, purple or yellow blossoms
Musk Mallow, malva moschata, 1600, perennial
Honeybees are frequent visitors of the handsome rose-mauve flowers. Leaves emit faint musky odour, especially during warm weather or when drawn through the hand. Useful for inflammations of the alimentary, urinary and respiratory systems.
Cosmos, sensation mixed, 1800
Popular annual that is easily grown. Sow directly into warm soil. It can be used as background plant and as cut flowers. AAS Winner 1936. Wonderful for cutting, theses giant single flowers bloom in rose, crimson, pink, and white.
Blue Flax, linum perenne, 1600
Light blue cup shaped flowers; delicate grey foliage. 1 1/2 feet
Bachelor Button, cornflower,1600
Easy to grow, abundant double blooms produce on long stems early summer through fall. Great for dried flower bouquets. Sow directly outdoors late May
Evening Scented Stocks, matthiola bicornis, annual
Large heavy spikes of fragrant flowers in a mix of soft exquisite colours. Recommended for every garden. Start seeds early indoors or direct garden sow late April. Lilac coloured flowers emit a delightful fragrance all summer long particularly in the evening or after a shower. 1 1/2 ft.
Pentstemon Strictus, rocky mountain, annual
Showy deep blue flower spikes attract hummingbird. June to July. Ideal for dry sun areas. 2 ft.
Aster - giant crego mixed, annual
A gorgeous garden flower and a longlasting cutflower. For best results, control leafhoppers and rotate location each year to reduce the risk of wilt. Start indoors in March-April or outdoors in warm soil. Most varieties bloom in late summer. Ostrich feather type flowers with twirled petals. Colours include white, pink, salmon-rose, azure blue and purple. Excellent for cutting. 2 ft.
English Lavender, l. angustifolia, tender perennial
For centuries the fragrant flowers have been used in dried sachets, scented soaps, perfumes and potpourris. Lavender oil is an important article of commerce. In the garden, lavenders make sweet smelling boarder plants along pathways. Compact, narrow foliage with lavender-blue flowers.
Sweet Rocket, hesperis matronalis, 1600
Fragrant violet flower clusters similar to phlox borne all summer long on 3 ft. plants
Purple Coneflower, echinacea purpurea, perennial
Highly regarded blood purifier used in the treatment of diseases caused by impurities. Said to increase bodily resistance to infection by strengthening the immune system. Rich reddish-purple daisies appear from July to September
Purple Foxglove, digitalis purpurea, 1600, biennial
Source of digitalis, important for its stimulation and regulation of the heart, but too powerful to use without medical supervision. Spotted bells arranged in spikes, highly ornamental
Delphinium, magic fountain mix, perennial
A shorter variety, recommended for windy areas. It has a wide range of colours and bicolours including dark blue, light blue, lavender, white and pink. May to June 3 ft.
Black Hollyhocks, alcea rosea nigra, 1600, biennial
Silky black-purple flowers added to herb tea, gives a lovely deep rose-purple colour. Like another members of the mallow family it helps to sooth irritated mucous membranes
Nasturtium, tropaeolum majus, 1700, annual
Young leaves make a pleasant pepper substitute in pepper restricted diets. They have unusually high vitamin C content. Immature green seeds can substitute for capers and in tossed salads flowers add an interesting touch. Climber with strong vines up to 6 ft.high. Spicy fragrance and gorgeous mix of colours.
Cosmos, sunny gold, 1800,annual
A popular annual that is easily grown. Sow directly into warm soil. It can be used as a background plant and as a cutflower. An abundance of semi-double golden yellow flowers on dwarf bushy plants. Heat resistant. 14 inches
California poppy, eschscholzia californica, annual
Mildly narcotic colourless juice was used by California Indians to treat toothache. Mixture of brilliant yellow orange and red flowers. Best sown directly very early in spring as it prefers cool weather.
Mignonette, reseda odorata, annual
Legendary sweet ambrosia scent amply compensates for unimpressive yellow flowers. Victorian favourite commonly grown in pots and in window boxes to scent the city air. For perfume, sachets and potpourris
Evening Primrose, oenothera lamarackiana, Native
Tall aromatic plants with 1 - 2 inch bright yellow cup-shaped flowers. Prefer full sun and well drained soil. 3 to 5 ft.
Yellow Yarrow, achilleu filipendulina "Cloth of Gold"
Impressive all round remedies without equal. Owing to their bitter principles, they have the reputation as general fortifiers, helping to build the bodies natural resistance. They improve digestion circulation, and the functions of the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. They are valuable wound herd for cuts and make excellent cosmetic lotions for cleansing and beautifying the skin.
Marigold, Monet's Choice, 1600
Single flowers on long thin stalks. Like bright orange butterflies hovering over the green plants.
Gaillardia, Native
Vigorous spreading plants with daisy-like flowers. Yellow flowers with red centres. Blooms from early July to hard frost. Hardy perennial.
Zinnia, yellow marvel, annual
Bright yellow fully double blooms of medium size for cutting and borders. A.A.S. Winner 1985. Vigorous cut and come again type. Some tolerance to alternaria. 20 inches
Calendula, calendula officinalis, pot marigold, 1600, annual
Flower petals give delicate flavour and strong colour to salads, omelette and cheese, and is used as a saffron substitute for rice. Invaluable in first-aid skin lotions and ointments
Mullein, verbascum thapsus, Native, biennial
Striking yellow flower stalks rise from woolly leaf base in the second year. Good remedy for coughs, hoarseness and bronchitis.
Sunflower, Monet's Choice, Native
Tall strong stemmed plants. Multiple heads at various stages of development all over the plant. Small black seeds are enjoyed by birds. In third generation has thrown a variegated leaf variety and a cone shaped head variety.
Shasta Daisy, alaska, 1900
Developed by Luther Burbank as a cross among three daisies from different continents.Early flowering with large single white blooms with yellow centres. A familiar cutflower. July-Aug. 2 ft.
Snapdragon, antirrhinum, panorama mixed, annual
Blooms early and continually all summer long. Shades of crimson, pink, rose, scarlet, salmon, orange yellow and white. Easy to grow from seeds and very disease resistant. They do best in sun or light shade. Blooms continuously if cut back. As a cut flower their spicy fragrance will brighten the whole house. Sow where they are to grow or for earlier flowers start indoors in March and April
Sweet Pea, bijou mixed, 1600, annual
Lovely fragrance and colour all spring. to grow good sweet peas work the soil deeply, feed and water regularly. Plant seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. Bijou is a unique bush variety smothered with a profusion of early flowering blooms. Good for window boxes, beds or baskets growing only 1 1/2 ft.
Lupine, russell hybrids, 1937
contains pinks, rose, buffs, bronze, reds and many blue shades and bicolour.Easily grown from seed. Sow in June for bloom the following year. 3 ft.
Tufted Pansies, mixed colours, biennial
The blooms resemble violets but are larger and are very tolerant of hot weather, usually blooming throughout the entire summer. 6 inches.
Beans, Dwarf Horticultural, late 1700's, 55 days
May have originated in Italy. Medium to large seeds, oval, plump, and pinkish buff drying to light brown and streaked with maroon.
Beans, Heritage Mixture, 1800's
A collection of heritage soup beans including Sulphur, Jacob's Cattle, Hutterite, Jet Black Soy, French Horto Red Kidney. Colourful and flavourful mixture. Grow easily together. Harvest when pods are dry and starting to split.
Beet, Detroit Dark Red, 1892, 60days
Old all-purpose variety. Short top, firm, 3 inch round, fine grained, sweet, red beet for fresh, canning and freezer use. Downy mildew resistant. Need enriched soil; composted manure, rock phosphate, lime and kelp give good results.
Beet, Cylindra (Formanova), 1880, 60 days
Dark red, cylindrical, 6-8 inch carrot-like roots are good for fresh and canning use. Sweet, easy to peel. Plant closer than other beets and mound soil over root crowns.
Beet, Golden, before 1828, 60 days
Mild tasting 1-2 inch globe shaped, orange, tender roots; sweet and tasty green tops. Have a lower germination rate than other beets so plant closer than other varieties, then thin.
Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved, 1890, 85 - 115 days
Semi-dwarf plants, 20-24 inches with good yields of 1 to 2 inch sprouts.
Carrots, Danvers Halflong, 1871, 75 days
Originated among the market gardens of Danvers, Massachusetts,
heavy yielding good for canning or storage roots are 6" tapering uniform to a blunt point with deep orange flesh
Carrots, Nantes coreless, heirloom, 70 days
In the latter half of the 19th century, the French seed house of Vilmorin developed the modern carrot and many of the strains grown today such as Nantes. Roots are a rich bright orange, cylindrical and blunt ended - 15 cm (6 inches) long. Good tasting, tender and coreless.
Egg Plant, Black Beauty, 1902, 80 days
The fruits on the healthy, compact plants are large and dark purple in colour. A good eggplant for home or market use as the fruit remains tender and tart a long time.
Egg Plant, Turkish Orange (Turkish Italian), heirloom, 95 days
A most unusual heirloom, originally from Turkey, that bears miniature, round, 2 oz., orange -red fruits that look like small tomatoes. Plants are tall and bear heavily. Susceptible to flea beetle and potato beetle. Fruit are bite sized and seedy, best for eating when still green.
Pickling Cucumber, Chicago Pickling, 1888, 55 to 75 days
Medium green blunt-ended 6 inch fruit with thin warty skin, black spines. Plants are disease resistant and prolific. Makes great dill pickles.
Slicing Cucumber, Straight Eight, 1935, 52 days
An old favourite. Outstanding yield of long 20 cm (8 inch), straight, smooth, dark green cucumbers.
Pickling Cucumber, Wisconsin SMR, heirloom, 64 days
The best disease resistant pickling variety. Medium green fruit taper at both ends. Popular for commercial growers.
Pepper, hungarian yellow banana, 75 days
A very productive firm and sweet fruit 6 inches in length 1 1/2inches wide tapering to a point. Colour turn from green to waxy yellow to crimson red
Hot Pepper Mix containing:Corno di Toro, Cayene, Chili and Hungarian Hot Wax , 65 days
Mixture of hot peppers that dry well. From large paprika style peppers to thin red lethal cayenes.
Pepper, Hungarian Paprika, 70 days
Fruits green becoming red. This strain has excellent colour and sweet, spicy flavour. Plants average 18 inches high. Susceptible to sunscald and blossom-end rot. The sweet very dry flesh is excellent for drying. 1 x 5 inch fruit
Peppers, early jalapeno (hot), 65 days
This variety is used in many Mexican and Latin American dishes.Peppers are cylindrical, tapering to blunt end, about 2 1/2 inches in length and 1 inch wide, the thick medium green walls mature to red
Leaf Lettuce, Black Seeded Simpson, 1850, 40 days
An old standard and one of the earliest available good for early crop but quality declines in heat or late planting
Romaine of Cos Lettuce, Paris White, before 1868, 50 to 83 days
Selffolding green leaves form a cylindrical, compact head, with greenish white interior. Distinctive taste somewhat like endive. Likes rich soil and plenty of water
Leaf Lettuce, Oakleaf, 1900, 45 days
Pre1900, possibly known as American Oak Leaf. Oak leaf type referred to as early as 1686. Forms tight clusters of oakleaf shaped leaves. Bolt resistant and bitterfree longer than other varieties.
Squash, C. Moschata, Butternut, 1944, 75 - 11- days
Bottle-shaped fruit are light tan, 3 to 5 pound with straight thick solid necks, thick golden orange flesh is dry fine grained and sweet. keeps well.
Squash, C Pepo, Table Queen Acorn, 1913, 80 to 90 days
One of the most popular types of winter squash. Vigorous vining plant produce medium-sized fruit, 1 to 2 pounds, that are dark green and deeply ribbed, thin hard shells. Flesh is golden yellow, dry sweet and tasty. Good for baking, stored well.
Pumpkin, C. Pepo, Connecticut Field, before 1700, 110 days
Almost certainly grown in North America before European settlement. Bears large fruit (10 to 25 pounds) on vigorous growing vines. Flesh is yellow, thick, course and stringy. Poor quality for cooking but the best for carving.
Pumpkin, C. Pepo, Small Sugar, 1860, 80 - 110 days
Described by Burr in 1863 and still popular as the classic pumpkin for pies or canning. Plants are training, fruits are small ( 5 to 8 pounds), round, orange, slightly flattened at both ends and lightly ribbed. Flesh is thick, yellow orange, fine grained, stringless, and sweet.
Summer Squash, Dark Green Zucchini, 55 days
Attractive bushy plants. Pick when 6-8 inches. Good boiled, baked or fried
Summer Squash, Early Golden Crookneck, 1700, 55 days
Meaty fruits with bright yellow skin and small crook-neck. Best when 4 inches long. Will grow 10 inches long and 3 inches thick with warted golden skin. Also for freezing. Flesh is creamy white, sweet and mild.
Muskmelon, Delicious 51, heirloom, 70 days
Early and orange-fleshed, resistant to fusarium wilt. Very sweet flavour, weigh 5 pounds each
Swiss Chard, Fordhook Giant, 1750, 50 to 60 days
One of the most widely grown varieties of chard. Plants grow 2 feet tall and are extremely vigorous. Broad green, heavily crumpled leaves with thick white ribs. Bears all season and stands several light frosts. Good flavour, excellent for greens.
Tomato, McMullen, 80 days
From National Gene Bank in 1986. Dropped from catalogues in late 1970's. Round red medium fruit. Good flavour, vigorous and resistant.
Cherry Tomato, Gardeners Delight ( Sugar Lump), 65 days
A large European cherry tomato. From Winnipeg Manitoba in 1986. Large cherry tomatoes, very vigorous and prolific. Indeterminant plants produce bright red, crack resistant fruit. Sweet and juicy.
Tomato, Yellow Oxheart, 1925, 80 to 95 days
An old favourite whose shape resulted from a single gene mutation. Indeterminant plants are large and open. Fruits are pale yellow, 7 oz. Flesh is meaty and firm with few seeds and a mild flavour.
One of the largest yellow tomatoes. Shaped like its name.
Paste Tomato, 75 days
Red, medium sized plum-shaped fruit on compact vines. Wilt tolerant and non-cracking. For canning and paste
Tomato, Burbank , 1915, 80 days
Developed about 1915 by Burbank, exceedingly productive under difficult conditions. 4-5 red tomatoes per pound, on resistant, stocky bushes, indeterminant.excellent flavour
Tomato, Marvel Striped , Traditional, 90-100 days
Traditional from Zapotecs of Oaxaca, Mexico. Very large heart-shaped, orange and yellow fruits have red splashy stripes. 1-2 pound fruit on vigorous indeterminate vines. Fruit is very sweet and juicy with multicoloured flesh and few seeds.
Tomato, Olomovic, Heirloom, 75-80 days
Heirloom, Czechoslovakian variety. Prolific, semi-determinant vines yield 4-5 oz. delicious, red flattened globe-shaped fruits. early-mid season
Tomato, Peron Sprayless, Traditional, 75-85 days
Traditional originally from Peru. Scarlet, vitamin rich firm round fruits are mid-season and crack resistant. Tomatoes set on high-performance, disease resistant vines, are 3 inches in diameter and are exceptionally delicious.
Tomato, Yellow Perfection, Heirloom, 85 days
Heirloom from Britain. Cross between a cherry tomato and a small slicing tomato. A brilliant yellow colour, very productive, very beautiful. 15 tomatoes per pound. vine indeterminate. fruit rare, juicy and thin-skinned
Tomato, June Pink (Pink Earliana), 1900, 68 days, circa 1900.
Bears clusters of 6 to 10 very attractive rose-pink fruit sometimes with green shoulders. low disease resistance. indeterminant
Tomato, Brandywine, 1885, 74 days
Amish family heirloom dating back to at least 1885. Prized for its distinctive flavourful fruit. Fruit are dark reddish-pink, 10 oz. Indeterminant vines with potato leaf foliage. not disease resistant prone to cracking.
Tomato, White Beauty (Snowball), 1850, 80 days
Possibly known as White Apple before 1860. A creamy white tomato with red tomato flavour, mild and sweet. Fruit are medium sized. Low to medium overall disease resistance. Use as an early transplanting variety
Tomato, Pomme d'Amour, 1600, 80 days
Isolated for centuries on the Canary Islands, a relic of the first introduced tomato. Brought by the early Spanish explorers of Peru. Very small standard tomato or large cherry 12/ pound. Delicate pink and yellow colour. Shaped and coloured like a small apple.
Tomato, Yellow Belgium, heirloom, 80 days
Large golden yellow, firm fleshed fruit. Fruit remains firm when ripe and resists spoiling or bruising. Low acid mild flavour. Good for processing and salads
Tomato, Djena Lee's Golden Girl, 1920, 80 days
Originally from Minnesota, this family heirloom won first prize at the Chicago Fair 10 years running. Vigorous, indeterminant vines. Fruits are obloid, 3 to 4 inches long, and golden orange. Flesh is meaty and delicious with nicely balanced flavour.
Tomato, Black Krim, heirloom, 80 to 95 days
Indeterminant, medium sized plants with either regular or potato shaped leaves. The skin colour is brownish purple with dark green shoulders. Medium sized fruit are prone to cracking and require a hot summer. Flesh is a deep reddish-brown with a unique, full bodied flavour that has been described as meaty, salty and smoky.
Tomato, Yellow Peach, 80 days
Very pretty light yellow, small tomatoes that have a peach-like fuzz on the skin. Good mild flavour.
Cherry Tomato, Yellow Pear, 1805, 70 to 80 days
Probably dates back to at least 1600. Vines are indeterminant and vigorous with an open growing habit. Plants are disease resistant and bear lots of 1 ounce, pale yellow, pear shaped fruit that have a nice mild flavour.
Tomatillo, physalis ixocarpa (Ground Cherry), traditional
Grows like tomato plants but more erect and vigorous. Plants spread 4 feet and grow 3 feet high. The flavour is complex, at first the taste is sweet but with an astringent aftertaste. Make great salsa. Harvest when the fruit fills the husk. Fruit changes from bright geen to yellow-green to light yellow with purple tips.