RHS seeds

Mine have just arrived hurrah! Spring is on its way

 

I have had mine a few days. But I haven't sown any yet. I stick to Christopher Lloyd's principle of sowing on 1st March - not long now.

 

What are these seeds?

 

As part of RHS membership, you can get 20 packets of seed for just a £10 admin fee. This is a major part of the attraction of RHS membership for me. Whilst there are quite a few seeds, whose name you will recognise, the purpose is not to compete with the likes of Mr Fothergill and friends, but to offer unusual seeds that you won't find in popular catalogues. There is a list of over 1000 on offer. For instance my choices this year were :- (the numbers refer to their list)

13 Atriplex hortensis var. rubra (red mountain spinach), A., purple foliage, 1.5-2m.
21 Emilia coccinea, A., red, 40cm.
25 Nicandra physalodes, A., pale blue or white, 90cm.
29 Nicotiana sylvestris (flowering tobacco), A., white, 1m.
68 Gladiolus italicus, bulbous, magenta, 40-110cm.
77 Nectaroscordum siculum (Sicilian honey garlic), bulbous, white, to 1.2m.
86 Fuchsia arborescens, G.S., evergreen, rose purple, dark purple fruit, 2m.
93 Tweedia caerulea, G.S., blue, 90cm.
106 Aconitum napellus (monkshood), H., deep blue, 1.5m.
183 Eccremocarpus scaber (Chilean glory flower), H., tender, orange, red, pink or cream, climbing to 2.5m.
184 Eremurus robustus (giant desert candle), H., pink, to 3m.
205 Geranium phaeum, H., dark purple or pink, 60cm.
244 Libertia formosa, H., white, 90cm.
281 Persicaria bistorta (common bistort), H., pink, 60cm.
282 Phlomis cashmeriana, H., woolly green leaves, lilac-purple, 90 cm.
303 Rodgersia pinnata, H., red, to 1.2m.
307 Salvia glutinosa, H., yellow, 80cm.
338 Strobilanthes attenuata, H., violet-blue, 1.5m.
341 Thalictrum aquilegiifolium, H., white-pink, 1.5m.
358 Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's root), H., white or pale blue, 1-2m.

Some I know and like, and some were virtually chosen with a pin. Its a good way of trying new things.