Spring is near, why not plant some Valentines seeds?
I am increasingly becoming a seed growing convert. No, I am not rigging up crazy light contraptions in my home (in the absence of the dreamy greenhouse). But, to get great plants for less money, I am experimenting with direct to the ground plantings. My success rate is splotchy, but when I only lose about $2.50 for a pack of seeds, I don’t feel nearly as bad as I do when I kill something that cost me twice as much.
California Poppy ‘Rosa Romantica’, Ageratum ‘Red Sea’, Cosmos ‘Rose Bonbon’, Poppy ‘Falling in Love’ all from Select Seeds.
Enter Select Seeds.…which after a peruse this morning has me all inspired for Valentines Day. I am scheming on some sort of seed based gifts for all my sweeties. I’ve made a full list of rare and heirloom seeds and plants (below) with sweet sentiments that would make for thoughtful Valentine gifts.
Amaranth ‘Love-Lies-Bleeding’, Love-in-a-Puff, Primrose ‘Viennese Waltz’, and Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate
It comes down to all the charming names for me and potential for Valentine cutesy-ness. Take (for example) Love-in-a-Puff (Cardiospermum halicacabum)! What a fantastic name! I simply must give this to someone.
But…it’s totally new to me, have you grown this?
Sweet William ‘Newport Pink’, Chinese Forget-Me-Not ‘Chill Out’, Love-in-a-Mist ‘Hispanica Mix’, Sweet William ‘Claret’
And these pretty Dianthus; Would you agree, seeds are really the only acceptable way to give carnations on valentines day??
Seed packets for Valentines:
- California Poppy ‘Rosa Romantica’
- Ageratum ‘Red Sea’
- Cosmos ‘Rose Bonbon’
- Poppy ‘Falling in Love’
- Amaranth ‘Love-Lies-Bleeding’
- Love-in-a-Puff
- Primrose ‘Viennese Waltz’
- Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-Gate
- Sweet William ‘Newport Pink’
- Chinese Forget-Me-Not ‘Chill Out’
- Love-in-a-Mist ‘Hispanica Mix’
- Sweet William ‘Claret’
Images from Select Seeds
p.s. While this might appear to be sponsored… it isn’t — just a fun post about valentines seeds that happens to highlight one seed source. You can find many of these seeds and more at other seed suppliers. If you’d like a full list of great, open pollinated, and organic seed sellers, get access to the P+V Resource library. There, you can download the list as well as other great garden resources.
Growing plants from seed is one of the most rewarding things about horticulture. I’ve got a bunch of stuff started already and some more waiting to be sown and still more on the way. I forgot to check out Select Seeds though. Looks like I may need to place another order.
Nigella (love in a mist) are very easy to grow and mine now come up completely on their own, self seeding like crazy. Dianthus, forget me nots, poppies and bachelor’s buttons are super easy, too.
I haven’t had good luck with amaranth or primroses from seed, though.
Oh, I’d love to have the “Falling in Love” poppy and the “Love in a mist” flower (it’s called Jungfer im Grünen in Germany which means virgin in the green)
I’ve written about plants that might send some kind of romantic message. I am particularly fond of Kiss me over the garden gate, but there is always Love Lies Bleeding, as well. How about Bouncing Bet for an energetic mistress? Many possibilities. Naked Ladies?
commonweeder — you are too funny– my mind can go and go here — perhaps even johnny jump ups??? 😉
Love-in-a-puff is a great small vine. Let it climb up into roses or maybe along the outside of a big conifer (it’s lime green). The black seeds have a little white hearts on them.
It’s so rewarding to spend the time potting them and then growing them till they bloom. I love the pictures and come this spring, will be spending my time out in the yard again. Thanks for the colorful pics.
That’s a really good idea. I did the same thing but for Christmas, and we’re going to sow the seeds next week, as it gets warmer. It’s better than giving a lavish bouquet – one can enjoy the flowers every time they bloom.
Quite the list, interesting names, enjoyable to read. I wish I had the patience to grow more from seed. Thanks for sharing the list.
I love this idea! I wish I would have seen it before Valentine’s but I am definitely keeping it in mind for the future. I have been branching out and trying to grow more from seed too. I 100% agree about not feeling as bad when something doesn’t work out if I have only spent seed money. On the flip side when I have all kinds of extra seeds laying around I feel a bit wasteful. Better that than having spent a bundle on plants I suppose 🙂