Cottage Garden “Must Have” Seed and Plant List

A Cottage Garden is a unique blend of plants, bulbs, seeds, annuals, perennials, bushes, and trees.  Each year I look forwarded to the new seed  and plant catalogs and I devour them eagerly.As I have mentioned in my blogs, starting your own seeds is definitely the most economical way to start a cottage garden or add to your existing garden.  Each year I add a few more plants and bulbs and try to push the boundaries of what will grow in my high heat desert zone. Sometimes I have a hard time with some seeds germinating so I will buy plants from online nurseries. Here you will find my list of must haves for the 2015 growing season. I suggest one and all to find a few spots in your garden for one or two new roses.

HEIRLOOM ROSES

Pretty Jessica.  This is a good 'old fashioned rose' for a very small garden. Its 3" flowers (petals 45) are a warm rich pink and of perfect formation; a shallow cup closely packed with petals. It has compact, repeat blooming and very short growth.There is a strong old rose fragrance.

Honore de Balzac® From Meilland of France this magnificent pink and yellow blend rose has large, cupped 5-6" blooms (petals 40+) unfold best in a dryer climate. Breathtaking.

Everest Double Fragrance.  Large, fully double and shapely 4" blooms (petals 12-15) are borne in trusses of soft powder-pink , sometimes almost apricot on a continually blooming plant having a dense clove fragrance. Dark-green leathery and heavily veined foliage.

The Shepherdess.  A most attractive rose with deep, open-cupped 3 1/2" flowers(petals 45). The color is a lovely apricot pink with a fruity/rose fragrance and at times a hint of lemon. A healthy, upright, repeat blooming bushy plant.




Lady Emma Hamilton. This rose starts off with dark red buds that have a hint of orange. When the flowers open, they provide a combination of tangerine orange on the inside of the petals and a yellow-orange on the outside. These blooms sit beautifully against bronzy green leaves that become dark green over time. As a fairly upright, bushy, shrub, it grows to be about 4 ft x 3 ft. The blooms are 3.5” in diameter on average and provide an exceptional scent that has hints of pear, grape and citrus fruits.

Select Seeds -- Antique Flowers

Coneflower' Supreme Cantaloupe' This Echinacea has a good habit, long bloom time and fragrant, non-fading melon colored petals; the centers start out unimposing then puff out like a honeycomb paper ornament. Well-drained to gritty sweet soil are best.

Zinnia 'Zinderella Peach' Zinnia elegans NEW!   This great new zinnia from our favorite Dutch breeder is a nod to the retro scabiosa flowered zinnias so popular in the early 1900s. He has elevated it, (pun intended) into a lovely truffle of a flower with many layered petals in cream and peach with salmon undertones. Easy to grow, it has strong stems, perfect for cutting. Some variation in color and form, but altogether charming.

 Geranium 'Fair Ellen' This variety originated in England in the 1840s. The spicy scented leaves with maroon veining and gorgeous bright pink flowers make it a perfect choice for growing in containers near your door. A beautiful, sturdy-growing plant.




Nasturtium 'Darjeeling Gold' Tropaeolum majus Rare!  A rare, choice variety with fully double button-like flowers held above the foliage. Deep golden yellow hue stands out in the garden and will be the star of containers in temperate summer areas.



Nasturtium 'Hermine Grashoff'   A plush looking double-flowered nasturtium with full gathered petals in a rich orange-scarlet hue, bloom all summer to frost. Double forms of nasturtium were imported to England from Italy around 1769. Showcase this beauty in pots, and take cuttings if you desire, as they do not set seed. Annual;  3' trailing Bloom Time Summer to fall; Color: Rich orange-scarlet; Full sun to partial shade.




Nasturtium 'Whirlybird Cherry Rose'   Doubled flowers in vibrant rose bloom all summer, the flowers held above the foliage on strong stems.
 
Primrose 'Blue Zebra'
Its light blue-and-white striped pattern is extraordinarily contrasted against a bright yellow heart. Upright habit is perfect for starring in the front row of borders, mixes or in a container all on its own.



Calendula 'Kablouna Lemon' Crested flower centers have a halo of ray petals in a zesty lemon color. Dependable and easy. Edge your veggie garden with these and harvest the petals as they make tasty and colorful additions to breads, soups, and salads. Self sows.




Columbine 'Grandmother's Garden' An antique form with short spurs of mixed colors of dark rose, violet, pink and white. Jewels of the late spring garden combined with young fronds of bronze fennel. Fertile, well-drained soils. Self sows.




Honeywort 'Kiwi Blue' Cerinthe major var. purpurescens   Ultramarine blue color intensifies in cool fall weather. It combines especially well with 'Empress of India' nasturtium and enlivens flowers of dusky shades of lilac and pink as well.




Tobacco—Woodland  Nicotiana sylvestris.   Star Flower, they called it, for its cluster of tubular blooms are like a shower of brilliant white stars. The front page feature of Park Seed's 1904 Floral Guide, it still steals the scene today with its broad, light green leaves and fragrant flowers that stay open all day. Shelter from strong winds. Self sows.

Zucchini 'Costata Romanesco' Organic Curcubita pepo    Golden orange flowers and ridged, speckled and striped light green fruit are prized by professional chefs and gardeners alike. The flesh of these decorative fruits is nutty, meaty and delicious, and can be incorporated into many recipes with ease. Look sharp for the fruits, which can look uncannily like a stem until they are spotted at club size!

MICHIGAN BULBS
Plants:


SHOGUN DOUBLE CLEMATIS   This clematis produces 4-5" blooms from mid May to June—and then again in August to September. Plant against a light background to make the flowers really stand out.

 
FLEVO LAGUNA GLADIOLUS. This densely flowered, dwarf variety is hard to miss with its unique chartreuse, red-rimmed blooms. With upright stems just 24" tall, this glad is perfect for borders, no staking required!

Verbascum phoeniceum mix.     A mix of airy white, pink, red or purple flower clusters sparkles above dark green mounds of foliage. Easy and free-flowering, this mix blooms from late spring until frost. Colorful racemes of flowersThis mix features bright hues speckled throughout its border, adding a playful touch. Its light, airy quality is a perfect complement to heavier varieties that can become overwhelming without these refreshing accents. This short-lived perennial is easy to grow and self-sows its seeds, ensuring a free and abundant flowering.This mix features bright hues speckled throughout its border, adding a playful touch. Its light, airy quality is a perfect complement to heavier varieties that can become overwhelming without these refreshing accents. This short-lived perennial is easy to grow and self-sows its seeds, ensuring a free and abundant flowering.This mix features bright hues speckled throughout its border, adding a playful touch. Its light, airy quality is a perfect complement to heavier varieties that can become overwhelming without these refreshing accents. This short-lived perennial is easy to grow and self-sows its seeds, ensuring a free and abundant flowering.



Mixed Columbine.   Dainty, spurred petals in a colorful blend of pastel shades with attractive gray-green, lobed foliage. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. One of the easiest and most rewarding plants for the garden.
 


Birch's Double Everblooming Hardy Geraniums . Bright, double pink flowers with purple veining on dainty green leaves, turning a brilliant red and orange in fall. Hardy geraniums are low-maintenance perennials ideal for borders, rock gardens or as a colorful ground cover.
 


Blue Fringe Daisy.  They have delicate, fine blue-purple petals whorled around golden centers. And, these daisies produce lots of flowers in midsummer!

Bulbs:


Red Fury Double Flowered Lily.  Seemingly endless layers of deep red-brown petals tipped with orange-yellow characterize these rare double blooms. Multiply rapidly and return every year; perfect for naturalizing!
 

Gloriosa Lily.   This fascinating perennial bulb has bright scarlet-red and yellow, lily-like blooms really stand out. Its long narrow leaves turn into tendrils at the tips, enabling it to climb or cling to other plants or structures.

BAKER CREEK HEIRLOOM SEED CO.

Flowers:


Lilac Emperor Cactus-flowered-Zinnia.  Cactus-flowered type to 36 inches boasts quilled petals of unusually heavy substance. Extra-large flowers are a lovely lilac-purple and make a bold statement in any garden.



Rose Giant Cactus Zinnia.  Lovely, big blooms in shades of rose to "bubble gum" pink; they have the unique pointed "cactus" type petals that makes giant zinnia so unusual! Easy to grow and perfect for stunning bouquets. A hard to find variety that was introduced by Burpee's
.


Patio Pink Lavatera. Annual, although in warmer climates zone 9 or 10 it is a tender perennial. Lavatera is also known as Tree Mallow, and can reach 6 feet tall! But Patio Pink is smaller and more manageable for today’s smaller gardens, seldom exceeding 28 inches. The large, stunning flowers come on all summer long, shimmering in shades of clear, satiny pink. The size makes this one perfect for borders and bedding, but it is equally at home in containers, patio plantings, and more.



Yeti Nasturtium. I chose this nasturtium because of it’s near white color. I do not have this one and thought it would make a nice addition to my colorful nasturtium collection. Named after the ape-like rare creature that legend says inhabits the Himalayas, these white nasturtiums are rare indeed. Not just things of folklore, here is a creamy-white flowering variety that blooms on long trailing vines that have large leaves.

Vegetables:

Flame Lettuce.  60 days. A unique, red leaf lettuce that is great for the new high-class markets. The color is intense crimson red and is slow to bolt.

Giant Noble Spinach. This is the giant of the spinach clan; plants spread to 25 inches! Tender leaves are great for canning, steaming or salads; for those who want quantity and quality




Giant Musselburgh Leek.  An heirloom that was introduced in 1834, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Large, very thick stems; tasty mild flavor. Grows well in most locations; perfect for home or market; this old favorite has huge size and is very winter hardy.




Atomic Red Carrot.  Brilliant red carrots are so healthful and unique-looking, sure to add color to your garden. The 8” roots are high in lycopene, which has been shown in studies to help prevent several types of cancer. Crisp roots are at their best when cooked, and this helps to make the lycopene more usable. Very flavorful.