RHS Seed Distribution 2009

One of the joys of RHS membership is the annual free seed distribution. A 24 page listing of available seeds, collected from the RHS gardens, provides a wide and unusual selection.

The descriptions are short and the official Latin names send me off to look up the species in books or the internet before deciding. At the beginning of next year I will receive the 20 packets together with a germination guide. In addition to recommended temperatures and likely germination times there are many tips on covering seeds, chilling to break dormancy and other influencing factors.

I have just ordered my 20 packets from the catalogue of over 500 different options. Half of my selection this year are trees or shrubs as I like to have something different and taller than usual from the RHS. This was my selection:

Annuals & biennials

Anethum graveolens dill

Angelica gigas purple

No bulbs, glasshouse seeds or grasses

Herbaceous Perennials

Aconitum lycoctonum

Cynara cardunculus cardoon

Dianella carulea

Eremus robustus giant dessert candle

Mixtures

Astilibe, Hemerocallis and Alstromeria

Rock Garden

Iris innominata

Trees & Shrubs

Acer davidii snake bark

Betula pendula purpurea

Betula utilis jacquemontii (Himalayan white bark)

Buddleja globosa (Orange ball tree)

Coronilla valentine glauca

Eucalyptus vernicosa semi prostrate

Nadina domestica 9Heavenly bamboo)

Rhodotypos scandens

Sophora davidii

Viburnum betulifolium