Annuals and Tender Perennials

The Seed Savers Exchange - This stunning and glamorous calendula has coffee-cream petal fronts and a crimson reverse. Its two distinct tones allow it to mix with almost any color in a border or vase. ‘Touch of Red Buff’ matures quickly and reaches 24" in height. Characteristics:  Cream-colored petal fronts with crimson undersides Plants grow to 24 inches tall Blossoms are edible Great for container growing 100 Seeds Instructions: Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Plant out after the danger of frost has passed and when nighttime temperatures are above 50°F. Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination: 5-15 Days Plant Outdoors: 6-18” Apart Light: Sun/Partial Shade Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This is the closest to white of any nasturtium available to gardeners, unique within the genus. Many years of selection have gone into producing this pale-cream to yellowish-white variety. A great conversation piece in any garden. Plants climb 6' or more with proper support. Hardy annual. Characteristics:  Hardy annual plants grow to 10-14 inches tall Yellow-white blossoms Flowers are edible Grows well in containers 25 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors one week after last frost. Plants prefer average moist soil. Water during dry spells, but do not fertilize, as this will promote more foliage than flowers. Sow 1/4" Deep Germination 5-21 days Thin 6-12" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Craspedia globosa) (aka Billy Button) A perennial that is native to New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania. Brilliant 1" yellow spheres are striking in the garden or in fresh or dried bouquets. Long sturdy stems. Grown as a half-hardy annual in the North, 3' tall plants. Half-hardy annual plants grow to 3 feet Bright yellow 1-inch spheres Long-lasting cut flower Can be used as a dried flower 25 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors 1/8" deep. Transplant outdoors after the last frost. Can also be sown outdoors 6 weeks before the last frost. Sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination 10-30 days Plant 12"-18" apart Full Sun/Partial Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Seed Exchange - (Phacelia tanacetifolia) This annual bears subtle lavender-blue flowers with curved spikes that not only put on a show in your garden but also attract and support many species of bees. Often used as a cover crop, this plant’s common name is a translation of Bienen-freund, German for “bee’s friend.” Annual, 12-24" tall. Annual plants grow 12-24 inches tall Lavender-blue flowers Attracts many different species of bees and beneficial insects 1,000 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in early spring when soil is cool and a light frost is still possible; seed must be well covered. Does very well in dry gardens. Sow 1/8" Deep Germination 7-12 days Plant 4-12" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This variety of Cosmos is native to Mexico and Central and South America. As such, it can tolerate growing with very little water after the seeds germinate. It was introduced into English horticulture in the late 18th century. Diablo Cosmos is of the species Cosmos sulphureus. This species of flower was preferred by the Korean-Japanese botanist and plant breeder Dr. Woo Jang-choon in his program of planting cosmos flowers along the highways and railroads in Japan and Korea. In 1974 Diablo Cosmos won the All-America Selections award for Flowers. Reintroduced for 2019 Half-hardy annual plants grow to 2-3 feet Scarlet-orange blossoms Long lasting cut flower Good for ornamental plantings Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost. Cosmos prefer poor soil. They will thrive with very little attention and do not need a lot of water. Excellent cut flower. Remove spent blossoms regularly to prolong blooming. May require staking. Sow 1/" Deep Germination 3-10 days Scatter seeds and thin to 18" apart Full Sun to Partial Shade Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - This classic Victorian nasturtium has dark blue-green foliage and brilliant crimson flowers on 12-14" plants. This variety has been grown in the United States since the 1890s, and today it is perfect for everyone’s favorite contemporary gardening method: containers. Beyond the garden, the edible flowers and leaves can add style and color to plates as a garnish—or as a peppery addition to salads and pastas. Hardy annual. Hardy annual plants grow 12-14 inches tall Bright crimson flowers and dark blue-green leaves Flower and leaves are edible Great for container growing 25 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors one week after last frost. Plants prefer average moist soil. Water during dry spells, but do not fertilize, as this will promote more foliage than flowers. Sow 1/4" Deep Germination 7-12 days Thin 6-12" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (Calendula officinalis) Calendulas have been referred to as Pot Marigold for centuries. Radio was introduced to gardeners in the 1930s and is now quite hard to find. Beautiful orange flowers have quill-like edible petals. Blooms from early summer until frost. Well suited for pots. Self-seeding, hardy annual, 18-24" tall. Characteristics:  Self-seeding, hardy annual Plants grow to 18-24 inches tall Blossoms are edible Great for container growing 250 Seeds per packet  Instructions: Sow seeds indoors 1/4" deep. Transplant outdoors after the last frost. Can also be directly sown outdoors after the last frost. Prefers light well-drained soil and will tolerate dry conditions. Good cut flower. Calendula petals are edible and have a tangy slightly sweet flavor.  Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination: 5-15 Days Plant Outdoors: 6-18” Apart Light: Sun/Partial Shade   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Seed Exchange - Great conversation piece in any garden. Interesting spikes of green bell-shaped calyces surrounding the insignificant white flowers, quite fragrant. Excellent for cutting; color and shape are preserved nicely when dried. Native to the Mediterranean region. Half-hardy annual, 18-36" tall. Half-hardy annual that grows to 18-36 inches tall Bell-shaped green calyces surround tiny white flowers Very fragrant Great as a cut flower or for drying This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but prefers cool growing seasons. 250 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Transplant when a light frost is still possible. Prefers average soil. May require staking. Sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination 8-25  days Plant 10-12 apart Full Sun to Partial Shade Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - ((Venidium fastuosum) (aka Monarch of the Veld) A native of Africa, this annual tolerates heat, sun, and drought, and its beautiful creamy-white flowers bloom until frost. With silver-tinged foliage that is finely lobed and silky in appearance, this species does best in warm, dry conditions. Annual, 2' tall. Characteristics:  Annual plants grow to 2 feet Creamy white blossoms Tolerates heat, sun, and drought This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but it does best in warm, dry conditions. 100 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors 1/8" deep. Transplant outdoors after last frost, when temperature remains above 40ºF. Does well in dry areas and prefers light dry soil. Sow seed indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost Germination 6-14 days Plant 9-12" apart Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - None of the original pansies introduced in the 1800s by the Vilmorin Company of Paris still exist by their true names. Fortunately for gardeners, seedsman Kees Sahin kept a collection of 13,000 violas in the Netherlands. Kees re-assembled a mixture closely resembling the original “Bambini Mixture” from Vilmorin. The flowers are reminiscent of little smiling faces with distinct whiskers. Self-seeding biennial, 6-8" tall. Self-seeding biennial plants grow to 6-8 inches A mixture of many-colored blossoms Will grow in containers Good for ornamental border plantings 50 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors 1/4" deep. Transplant outdoors when the spring temperatures are still cool and a light frost is possible. Plants enjoy cool rich soil. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination 10-14 days Plant 6-9" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - While native to Brazil, Globe Amaranth thrives almost anywhere. A balanced mixture of five to seven colors promises to attract a multitude of butterflies to any garden. Extremely easy to grow from seed and exceptionally productive, it makes an excellent cut flower for both fresh and dried arrangements. Half-hardy annual, 24-30" tall. (Gomphrena globosa)  Half-hardy annual plants grow to 30 inches tall A mixture of 5-7 colors Very easy to grow from seed Attracts butterflies Great for fresh and dried cut flower bouquets 100 Seeds Instructions - Seeds may be soaked in warm water for 24 hours prior to planting. Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. May also be sown directly outdoors after the last frost. Prefers average well-drained soil. Sow 6-8 Weeks before the last frost Plant 9-12" Apart Germination 10-15 days Full Sun to Partial Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability