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Garden Novelty Plants
Want to grow unique and ususual plants in your garden? Then this page is for you! Here are a few of the interesting garden plants we grow in our gardens.
TPF297 Japonica Striped Maize ( Ornamental Corn )
Stunning as an ornamental plant. This is an heirloom from Japan which was first listed in the 1890's as Striped-Leafed Japanese Maize. The unusual variegated leaves are striped with green, white, yellow, and pink. The tassels are dark purple and the kernels are burgundy red. The colors develop best when the plants are widely spaced 12-18 inches apart.
Growing 4-6 feet tall, this beauty has deep purple, almost black popcorn kernels. It makes a magnificent and edible Halloween or Thanksgiving decoration. The multi-colored, striped plants can be grown in containers and are especially striking when paired with brightly colored petunias or sweet potato vines. The leaves are hot pink, green, yellow and white. Each plant is uniquely colored. 85 days after planting, purple tassels appear followed by burgundy ears of corn.
Growing 4-6 feet tall, this beauty has deep purple, almost black popcorn kernels. It makes a magnificent and edible Halloween or Thanksgiving decoration. The multi-colored, striped plants can be grown in containers and are especially striking when paired with brightly colored petunias or sweet potato vines. The leaves are hot pink, green, yellow and white. Each plant is uniquely colored. 85 days after planting, purple tassels appear followed by burgundy ears of corn.
3727 Chairmaker's Rush ( Scirpus pungens )
The stems of this native rush were actually used for weaving sturdy chair seats in years gone by. This perennial is a widespread species and is used extensively in wetland restoration projects.
The strong triangular blades of this plant provided ribs for basket weaving, while the softer circular stems were often used for thatch or for finer weaving purposes. Though not a true rush, this member of the sedge family provides forage for water birds and small rodents. Occasionally, even the regal trumpeter swan and the Canada goose eat its foliage. A tough plant, it survives many types of hardship and is often used for erosion control or wetland restoration. The genus name "Scirpus" is the Latin term for bulrush.
Direct sow either in late fall or early spring. Press the seed into the surface of the soil, compacting the soil very firmly. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. Keep the soil saturated until germination.
Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established. This plant prefers soil that is constantly moist and saturated, and thrives in shallow water or mud. It adapts to many soil types, including sand and gravel with adequate moisture. It will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding; mature plants can be divided. This plant makes an excellent choice for erosion control or wetland restoration, and provides forage and cover for birds and other wildlife. It also performs well in water gardens or on stream banks. For zones 2-11.
The strong triangular blades of this plant provided ribs for basket weaving, while the softer circular stems were often used for thatch or for finer weaving purposes. Though not a true rush, this member of the sedge family provides forage for water birds and small rodents. Occasionally, even the regal trumpeter swan and the Canada goose eat its foliage. A tough plant, it survives many types of hardship and is often used for erosion control or wetland restoration. The genus name "Scirpus" is the Latin term for bulrush.
Direct sow either in late fall or early spring. Press the seed into the surface of the soil, compacting the soil very firmly. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. Keep the soil saturated until germination.
Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established. This plant prefers soil that is constantly moist and saturated, and thrives in shallow water or mud. It adapts to many soil types, including sand and gravel with adequate moisture. It will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding; mature plants can be divided. This plant makes an excellent choice for erosion control or wetland restoration, and provides forage and cover for birds and other wildlife. It also performs well in water gardens or on stream banks. For zones 2-11.
Image:3dyottabyte [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
IP353 Peruvian Black Mint/Huacatay ( Tagetes minuta )
A member of the marigold family, but growing 6 feet tall, Black Mint/Huacatay ( pronounced "wah-ka-tay" ) is an internationally beloved herb for flavoring sauces, teas, risotto, potatoes, chicken and fish. It is a key ingredient in the ethereal Peruvian aji verde sauce.
A French heirloom plant, it is also the source of the essential oil marketed as "marigold oil". It can best be described as a flavor combination of basil, mint and citrus and tastes like nothing else. The leaves are used fresh, dried, in paste form or frozen.
Hang bundles of the dried stems to repel insects from your house and porch. As a bonus, the roots will kill some perennial weeds. The delicious but somewhat mysterious green sauce that is often served with pollo a la brasa - Peruvian roast chicken is typically made with huacatay (and aji amarillo chile peppers).
Peruvians use this herb to make a green sauce called Black Mint Paste, which is an essential ingredient in the Potato, Aji Amarillo, Peanut, Cheese, and Egg dish called Ocopa.
A very easy to grow annual plant.
A French heirloom plant, it is also the source of the essential oil marketed as "marigold oil". It can best be described as a flavor combination of basil, mint and citrus and tastes like nothing else. The leaves are used fresh, dried, in paste form or frozen.
Hang bundles of the dried stems to repel insects from your house and porch. As a bonus, the roots will kill some perennial weeds. The delicious but somewhat mysterious green sauce that is often served with pollo a la brasa - Peruvian roast chicken is typically made with huacatay (and aji amarillo chile peppers).
Peruvians use this herb to make a green sauce called Black Mint Paste, which is an essential ingredient in the Potato, Aji Amarillo, Peanut, Cheese, and Egg dish called Ocopa.
A very easy to grow annual plant.
3620 Wasabi Radish
New to North America, this Japanese heirloom is a medium sized, oblong daikon type. The wasabi-green skin and flesh is crisp and succulent, with a strong heat reminiscent of the much loved Japanese horseradish paste.
The flavor is sharp and tear-inducing for lovers of spice. Wasabi radish seeds also make excellent micro-greens, with the spiciness developing early on in its tiny leaves.
The flavor is sharp and tear-inducing for lovers of spice. Wasabi radish seeds also make excellent micro-greens, with the spiciness developing early on in its tiny leaves.
LET889 German Giant Radish
If you are looking for volume and falvor, German Giant is a very nice radish to grow in your garden. It is larger than other spring radishes without getting woody or spongy. Can be harvested anywhere from marble to baseball size. Bright pink/red skin, crisp white flesh with a distinct sweet flavor followed with a nicely pungent kick.
These whoppers are known for reaching baseball size; however, at any size, they remain sweet, tender, and free from cracks. These giant red radishes take about 30 days to grow to full size but can be harvested earlier when they are smaller as well.
These whoppers are known for reaching baseball size; however, at any size, they remain sweet, tender, and free from cracks. These giant red radishes take about 30 days to grow to full size but can be harvested earlier when they are smaller as well.
1A050 Catalogna Special Italian Dandelion ( Cichorium intybus )
A new type of green that is taking green lovers by storm. The large leaves are more tasty and nutritious than any green you've ever tried. For salad mix or bunching. Uniform strain. At baby-leaf stage, leaves are narrow with subtle spikes along the margins and a thin petiole. At full size, leaves are long, deep green, slender, and deeply cut with white midribs.
LET284 Peppi Red ( Sweet Seedless Pepper )
Seedless sweet peppers. The Peppi pepper collection will grow seedless fruit under the right conditions! Grow plants in isolation from other, non-seedless peppers to produce seedless fruit that makes chopping quick and easy for recipes.
These small, pointed fruits offer incredible sweetness and rich flavour.
The fruit are often seedless and are great for snacking fresh off the plant. To produce seedless fruit, it is required to grow it in isolation from other (non-seedless) pepper varieties. If it is not isolated, it will produce larger, great-tasting fruit with just a few seeds. Best grown in-ground with support of stakes or a cage. It is a large plant in the ground, growing 36-48 inches tall and a spread of 24-36 inches or so. 50-55 days.
The fruit are often seedless and are great for snacking fresh off the plant. To produce seedless fruit, it is required to grow it in isolation from other (non-seedless) pepper varieties. If it is not isolated, it will produce larger, great-tasting fruit with just a few seeds. Best grown in-ground with support of stakes or a cage. It is a large plant in the ground, growing 36-48 inches tall and a spread of 24-36 inches or so. 50-55 days.
3309 Peter Pepper
( A medium Hot Pepper 5000-30000 SU )It is absolutely the novelty of the garden. Special heirloom red 'anatomical' hot peppers. Thought to originate out of the Appalachian region. In addition to the novel shape, this is actually a fine tasting pepper with plenty of heat. Besides being a real conversation piece, it is a good cooking pepper that has a thick fleshy pod that is fairly hot with a unique spicy flavor. It makes a wonderful pot of chili.
A slow germinator, can take up to 2-4 weeks to germinate. It is easy to grow in containers or gardens.
PEP390 Pardon Pepper ( Warm to hot Pepper )
Famous Spanish heirloom. Named after the town where they originated. Harvest Padron peppers when they are 1–1 1/2" long. About 1 out of 20 fruits will be hot, and the rest mild. All the fruits become hot if allowed to grow 2–3" long. Typically sautéed in olive oil with a little sea salt and eaten as tapas (appetizers) in Spain. 60 days.
3491 Giant Poha Berry ( Physalis peruviana )
This is a popular berry in Hawaii, the fuzzy-leaved bush (aka Poha Berry) produces about 1" berries with smooth, waxy orange skin. This tangy sweet fruit tastes like a mixture of pineapple and strawberry and is covered with a lantern-shaped husk. It grows well in containers. 75 days.
GO72 Mosquito Plant
( Agastache cana )
This hardy perennial will
provide you with sweetly scented foliage and large 1" rosy-
purple flowers. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and
butterflies. The crushed foliage rubbed on the skin is said
to repel mosquitoes. Will flower first year if grown as an
annual, but best flowering is in second year in zones
7-10.
G018 Coffee Chickory ( Chichorium intybus )
Chicory has been in cultivation since the days of ancient Egypt. The oldest publication about herbs in existence, authored by Greek physician Dioscorides, includes information about chicory.
Thomas Jefferson planted chicory in his gardens, recommending it in a letter to his friend George Washington as "one of the greatest acquisitions a farmer can have." Chicory's most well known culinary use is the use of the root as a coffee substitute or additive, since it has a soothing and relaxing effect that balances out the stimulation of coffee.
As a wildflower, this plant springs up everywhere with its bright blue dandelion-like flowers that open and close with the sun.
To use Chicory: Cut young, tender leaves for fresh greens; do not freeze or dry them, since this deprives them of all flavor. They can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. The root can be harvested any time after four months of growth, but before the ground freezes. How to make chicory coffee. Cannot ship to CO or SD.
Thomas Jefferson planted chicory in his gardens, recommending it in a letter to his friend George Washington as "one of the greatest acquisitions a farmer can have." Chicory's most well known culinary use is the use of the root as a coffee substitute or additive, since it has a soothing and relaxing effect that balances out the stimulation of coffee.
As a wildflower, this plant springs up everywhere with its bright blue dandelion-like flowers that open and close with the sun.
To use Chicory: Cut young, tender leaves for fresh greens; do not freeze or dry them, since this deprives them of all flavor. They can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. The root can be harvested any time after four months of growth, but before the ground freezes. How to make chicory coffee. Cannot ship to CO or SD.
IP099 Peppermint Stick Celery
Striped, candy-pink stalks shade to green leaves. A lovely plant in the garden or on a dipping tray, has a nice spicy flavor. Tends to keep its color when cooked. Use leaves and stalks for fresh seasoning, 80 days, slow to bolt.
RGS031 Common Luffa Sponge
Everyone who has a garden, fence or backyard space should grow this amazing plant. The ever popular dishcloth, bath sponge gourd. Should be grown on trellis, fence or allow even to climb small trees.
The Loofah Gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae ( Gourd ) family. The Loofah is spelled several different ways, i.e., Lofah, Luffa or Lufa. It's commonly known as the Washrag Gourd. It is the only plant known that can be raised and used as a sponge. The sponges are very versatile in that they can be used for bathing, washing dishes or scrubbing. The Loofah is widely used for bathing to invigorate the skin as well as gift giving and crafts. It is a very fast growing annual that produce vines up to twelve feet or more. I have seen them grow over 20 ft. high in trees and produce dozens of gourds per plant. When fully matured, you can peel off the dried and crisp outer shell to expose the fibrous sponge. To clean your Loofah you wash it in clean water and then soak it in a solution of bleach and water and allow to dry in the sun. Loofah sponges will last a long time if washed and allowed to dry after each use. Here are some helpful links on growing and harvesting the loofa sponge:
How to grow natural loofa sponges.
How to harvest your luffa and turn them into sponges.
The Loofah Gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae ( Gourd ) family. The Loofah is spelled several different ways, i.e., Lofah, Luffa or Lufa. It's commonly known as the Washrag Gourd. It is the only plant known that can be raised and used as a sponge. The sponges are very versatile in that they can be used for bathing, washing dishes or scrubbing. The Loofah is widely used for bathing to invigorate the skin as well as gift giving and crafts. It is a very fast growing annual that produce vines up to twelve feet or more. I have seen them grow over 20 ft. high in trees and produce dozens of gourds per plant. When fully matured, you can peel off the dried and crisp outer shell to expose the fibrous sponge. To clean your Loofah you wash it in clean water and then soak it in a solution of bleach and water and allow to dry in the sun. Loofah sponges will last a long time if washed and allowed to dry after each use. Here are some helpful links on growing and harvesting the loofa sponge:
How to grow natural loofa sponges.
How to harvest your luffa and turn them into sponges.
FT04 Cheddar Hybrid Cauliflower
A very unique cauliflower! Contains 7.57 ppm beta carotene.
If you grow this new cauliflower, it will likely be the topic
of conversation at your dinner table the first time you serve
it. The orange curds have great taste whether cooked or raw.
Brightens up a relish tray, and does not lose it's orange
color when cooked. For maximum color intensity, do not tie-
up the leaves. Suggest it be transplanted to the garden in
August for fall harvest in areas where summers are hot.
Limited seeds, we can only sell 10 per customer at this
time.
IP122 Caigua Exploding Cucumber ( Cyclanthera pedata )
This is one of the most interesting plants we have found. It is a climbing member of the cucumber family that can be used as a vegetable in salads, or steamed, it has a nice sweet flavor. It is also an herbal plant, the fruit has anti-inflammatory, weight reducing ( it is often sold in capsule form as a natural weight loss product ), lipid-absorbing, cholesterol and blood sugar regulating affects.
Can easily be grown in the garden, on a fence or trellis. It is an annual plant. One of the most interesting aspects of the plants is that when ripe, the fruits become spring-loaded missile devices, splitting and turning themselves inside-out to launch their seeds up to 5-6 feet away into the garden. This is quite the conversation plant.
Can easily be grown in the garden, on a fence or trellis. It is an annual plant. One of the most interesting aspects of the plants is that when ripe, the fruits become spring-loaded missile devices, splitting and turning themselves inside-out to launch their seeds up to 5-6 feet away into the garden. This is quite the conversation plant.
G150 Bright Red French Pumpkin
This classic Heirloom Pumpkin is as traditional as they come! With its lovely, smooth orange skin and flattened "old fashioned" shape, this pumpkin is just as suited to be decoration as it is to be a delicious pie!
Also known as Cinderella Pumpkin. Most unusual! A reddish orange pumpkin that is shaped flat and resembles a bright red cheese wheel more than a pumpkin. The 12-16 lb. fruits produce a sweet orange flesh that is great for pumpkin pies. A definite must for fall decorations.
Excellent Variety for Canning, Baking Pies and Bread. Favored by French chefs for rich soup stock. 95 days.
Also known as Cinderella Pumpkin. Most unusual! A reddish orange pumpkin that is shaped flat and resembles a bright red cheese wheel more than a pumpkin. The 12-16 lb. fruits produce a sweet orange flesh that is great for pumpkin pies. A definite must for fall decorations.
Excellent Variety for Canning, Baking Pies and Bread. Favored by French chefs for rich soup stock. 95 days.
3728 Tours ( French Heirloom )
Most unusual looking pumpkin weighing up to 16-18 pounds. Tours is a beautiful, upright, oval pumpkin that adds height and a different shape to fall displays. It is dark green with pale green striping and has pale yellow flesh. Tours has a long history of use in France for pickling, soups, jam and animal feed. The extremely large seeds (about 80 per ounce) have medicinal properties for people and animal and produce a tremendous amount of oil when pressed. The fruit will store for 5 months. 95 days.
A French heirloom field pumpkin, named for its place of origin, and listed by Vilmorin as early as 1856. The large-fruited pumpkin has distinctive large oil seeds with wide margins which were once used in the manufacture of sugar-coated pills and as a remedy for tapeworm. Great for displays and carving. 90-100 days.
D9921 Plum Granny ( Queen Anne Pocket Melon )
A unique melon grown for it's fragrance and appearance rather than for eating. Small tennis ball sized fruit are so fragrant that 2 or 3 can make a whole room smell like delicious melons, however taste is bland. Very prolific, best grown with trellising or support, fruit is yellow with maroon stripes. 75 days.
Although possibly named for Queen Anne of England (1702-14), this melon is native to Persia and Linnaeus attributed it to Egypt and Arabia. Legend has it that the ladies of the Queen's court carried the fragrant melon as a perfumed sachet. While edible, this melon is valued more for its scent than its rather flavorless white flesh. It ripens to orange with lemon-yellow stripes. This unique melon has been grown for over 1,000 years.
Although possibly named for Queen Anne of England (1702-14), this melon is native to Persia and Linnaeus attributed it to Egypt and Arabia. Legend has it that the ladies of the Queen's court carried the fragrant melon as a perfumed sachet. While edible, this melon is valued more for its scent than its rather flavorless white flesh. It ripens to orange with lemon-yellow stripes. This unique melon has been grown for over 1,000 years.
3508 Jelly Melon
(Cucumis metuliferus) (aka Kiwano, African Horned Cucumber) Originated in semi arid Africa near the Kalahari desert. Thorny oval fruits are filled with greenish-gold gel and lots of seeds; very high in vitamin C. The flavor is reminiscent of pomegranate and citrus. The primary market niche is for garnishes and decorative fruits. 120 days.
GO55 Banana Cantaloupe
It is a very old variety predating 1880.The banana melon is so-called because it looks more like a large banana than a cantaloupe. It’s a fascinating and unusual melon, with a hint of banana taste and a very delicioius, spicy aroma. The banana-shaped fruit has smooth, yellow skin; and sweet, spicy, salmon-colored flesh. 16-24 inches long, 5-8 lbs. 90 days.
BM61 Spacemaster 80 Cucumber
Monoecious. A great container grown cucumber and good for small garden spaces. 60 days. 7 1/2 to 9 inch blocky fruits on dwarf 18 to 24 inch vines. Good flavor. Never bitter. Adapted to a wide range of climates. CMV, Sc. The Spacemaster 80 cucumber is a large variety of cucumber that is sweet and tender. The Spacemaster 80 is green and smooth, and grows to be seven to nine inches long. Since this variety is mature in sixty days, a steady harvest can be achieved by planting regularly throughout the season
TPF293 Vegetable Spaghetti
90 days. Fruits average 9" long, and turn from buff to pale yellow when mature. Keeps well. Flesh is pale yellow and breaks up into spaghetti-like strands. Boil fruit for 20 to 30 minutes and remove flesh with a fork. Flesh is tasty and may be used like spaghetti, topped with your favorite sauce.
VH562 Giant Pink Banana
Squash
Amaze your friends with this giant winter squash tha is also delicious! Produces huge pink colored banana shaped fruits up to 30" long, shaped like a banana. Flesh is bright orange and sweet. Very flavorful.
Squash have a delicious yellow-orange flesh that can be substituted in recipes that call for acorn or butternut squash or as the pumpkin in pies. Pink Banana Squash should be planted as soon as the last spring frost is over. This will allow the squash its required 100-105 days to reach maturity before the first frost of fall.
Squash have a delicious yellow-orange flesh that can be substituted in recipes that call for acorn or butternut squash or as the pumpkin in pies. Pink Banana Squash should be planted as soon as the last spring frost is over. This will allow the squash its required 100-105 days to reach maturity before the first frost of fall.
SF278 Mini Spaghetti Hybrid
F1, Unique personal size, much quicker and easier to cook than full size. 1.5 lb. sweet, nutty, deep orange flesh, orange rind, semi-bush, high producer, 85 days.
BM74 Strawberry Spinach ( Chenopodium foliosum )
Also known as Strawberry Sticks. Highly novel, easy to grow plant, ideal for the border or patio containers or in the garden. Base branching with spiky foliage and stems which bear many edible, bright-red strawberry-like fruits through to early autumn.
A green that is grown and eaten like spinach before the small strawberry like fruits appear on the stems of the plant. This plant has been around for over 400 years and was a favorite of English Monks long ago. Smaller,thinner leaves than ordinary spinach, with abundance of thumbnail size fruits which are tasty.
Useful cut material, grows 15" tall, ready in 12 weeks from seed. Annual.
A green that is grown and eaten like spinach before the small strawberry like fruits appear on the stems of the plant. This plant has been around for over 400 years and was a favorite of English Monks long ago. Smaller,thinner leaves than ordinary spinach, with abundance of thumbnail size fruits which are tasty.
Useful cut material, grows 15" tall, ready in 12 weeks from seed. Annual.
2294 Valentine Radish ( Watermelon Radish )
A large, round, Japanese, white-skinned radish
with dark green shoulders and bright pink/red flesh.
Valentine/Watermelon radish grows to be 3º" in diameter
and is best harvested in Fall or Winter. When cut top to
bottom, each slice resembles a Valentine.
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