Annuals and Tender Perennials

The Living Seed Company -The orange resina calendula is the most medicinal and sought after.  A Native to Southern Europe.  Calendula quickly naturalizes.   Calendula will bring sunshine to your winter garden. The edibles petals are sweet and tangy.  Easy to grow and propagate. Commonly used in skin care, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding, and healing damaged or irritated tissue. Organic Medicinal Cut flower Annual plants grow to 18" inches tall 50 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors 1/4" deep. Transplant after last frost. Can also be directly sown outdoors after the last frost. Plant light well-drained soil Germination 7-14 days Plant 6-12" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

A bright medley of single and double orange, gold, yellow and cream-colored flowers. Well-branched plants with tall, straight stems great for cutting, with continuous blooms all summer. Fresh petals are beautiful in salads and as cake decorations. Also known as pot marigold.  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Short Season 12-24" tall Annual 60 days  1/32 oz approx.  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors 1/4" deep. Transplant after last frost. Can also be directly sown outdoors after the last frost. Plant light well-drained soil Germination 7-14 days Plant 6-12" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

The Seed Savers Exchange -  Spectacular Chilean relative of the petunia, introduced in 1824. Branching 12-24" stems with 2" striped trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of almost metallic colors. Salpiglossis comes from two Greek words meaning trumpet and tongue, referring to the velvet-like blossoms. Annual. (Salpiglossis sinuata) Characteristics: Annual plants grow to 12-24 inches Velvety, striped flowers grow to 2 inches Blossoms in a wide range of colors 250 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil. Seeds do best when allowed to germinate in darkness. Plant out when the danger of frost has passed in late spring. Plants do well in average soil. May require staking. Sow 10-12 Weeks before the last frost Plant 12-15" Apart Germination 7-14 days Full Sun to Partial Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Renee's Garden - These entrancing nostalgic flowers are especially beautiful, with ruffled blossoms and luscious velvety petals. They bloom in unusually deep rich shades of mahogany, ivory, gold, purple, and lilac, many with intricate markings and color patterns. Victorian Posy plants are taller than modern pansy varieties and their romantic flowers are perfect to dance and glow in window boxes and containers or cast their special allure at the front of garden borders. (Viola x wittrockiana)  Characteristics:  Heirloom Selective  Great in containers  Perennial grown as annual  Spring bloom  Can handle frost  Approx 90 Seeds per packet   Instructions - In Mild Winter Climates, start seeds in late summer to have plants large enough to successfully overwinter and bloom in early spring. In Cold Winter Climates, start early indoors about 2 1/2 months before the last spring frost. Sow seeds in a container of seed starting mix 1 inch apart and cover very lightly. Keep evenly moist and cool at 55-60°, providing a strong light source. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them 2 inches apart into a deeper container(s) and grow to 2 to 3 inches tall. Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting 4 to 5 inches apart in a sunny spot. Space seedlings are 4 to 5 inches apart. Pansies will bloom longest and make the largest flowers when the weather is cool. In mild winter areas, late summer sowings will begin to bloom in very early spring or even late winter. Keep faded blossoms removed to prolong flowering.    Plant in: January-March/ July-August  Full sun  Plant 1/4" deep  Space seeds 1" apart  Days to germinate: 10-14 days  Days to harvest: 4-6"  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

Renee's Garden - EXCLUSIVE - The best sweet pea choice for hot summer areas, Perfume Delight is a lovely color mix of intensely fragrant and heat tolerant antique sweet pea varieties. The seductively scented winged flowers bloom abundantly on tall climbing vines in a rich blend of rose, pale pink, lavender, deep purple, crimson and white with many unique bicolors. Their color and fragrance will fill your garden each spring, and a bouquet of their nostalgic orange and honeyed sweetness softly perfumes any room.  Characteristics:  Heirloom  Pollinators & Beneficials  Annual climbing vine  Spring/summer bloom  Frost tolerant   40-50 Seeds   Instructions - Sweet peas must have well-drained soil, so dig deeply and enrich with aged manure or compost before sowing seeds. Erect a well-anchored trellis, vertical netting, or other support for vines before planting. Sow seeds in full sun in cool early spring weather as early as the ground can be worked. In mild winter areas, where the ground does not freeze, seeds can also be planted in fall to form strong root systems, then overwinter to bloom strongly in spring. Plant sweet pea seeds 1 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. When seedlings are 2 inches tall, thin them 4 to 5 inches apart, to allow plants room to mature.  Sweet peas bloom best before the weather gets too hot, so if spring planting, sow as soon as the ground can be worked. Where summer heat comes on fast, they’ll appreciate a spot with afternoon shade. Anchor supports well as vines will grow heavy with bloom. Protect seedlings from birds, slugs, and snails. Mulch and keep well watered. For the longest bloom, pick flowers often and keep faded blossoms cut. Plant in: March-May for cold winters; September-March for mild winters  Full sun or part-day shade  Sow seeds 2-3" apart; 1" deep Days to germinate: 12-28 days  Mature Height: 6-8 feet  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Listed by many companies earlier this century as Mexican Hybrids. Beautiful semi-double flowers with mahogany, orange, gold, cream, and many bicolored blossoms. Very good for cutting. Resists mildew. AAS winner in 1952. Annual, 24-28" tall. Characteristics:  Annual plants grow to 24-28 inches tall Resists mildew Semi-double flowers in shades of brown, gold, cream and orange Great for cut flowers and ornamental plantings 100 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after last frost. Zinnias prefer well-drained average soil. Water regularly, keeping leaves dry. Remove spent blossoms frequently to prolong blooming. Sow 1/8" Deep Germination 5-24 days Thin 10-12" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Simple and elegant blooms that pollinators and butterflies will love. Single blooms, 1½ in. diameter, are yellow changing to light yellow. Appropriate for historical gardens, mass plantings, rockeries, or natural settings. Ht. 18-24 in. Zinnia peruviana Characteristics  Organic Annual plants grow to 2 feet tall Single yellow blossoms Great for borders plantings 125 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors after last frost. Zinnias prefer well-drained average soil. Water regularly, keeping leaves dry. Remove spent blossoms frequently to prolong blooming. Sow 1/8" Deep Germination 5-24 days Thin 10-12" apart Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Renee's Garden - These beloved cottage garden flowers are easy to grow, drought tolerant and a real favorite of hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The free blooming, delicately fluted blossoms seem to float above slender foliage and sway in every breeze. We’ve combined lavender-rose “Purple Queen” and shell-pink “Pink Contessa” for a lavish garden display of shimmering, satiny flowers and long-stemmed, graceful bouquets to cut and enjoy indoors. (Agrostemma githago)  Characteristics:  Heirloom Selective  Hummingbirds, Pollinators & Beneficials  Summer/Fall bloom  Frost hardy Hardy Annual   Instructions - To start early indoors, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Sow seeds 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix and cover very lightly. Keep moist but not soggy and provide a strong light source. When seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall, and night temperatures are above 50°F, acclimate to outdoor conditions and plant 8 inches apart.  To start outdoors, sow in well-worked beds or in containers in full sun only after night temperatures reach 50°F. Plant seeds 4 inches apart and covers very lightly. Keep soil evenly moist. Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart so plants have room to mature. To plant in a container, plant 4 seedlings in a 20-inch pot; 3 in a 16-inch pot, and 1 seedling in an 8-inch pot. Plants grow quickly to 12-18 inches tall and bloom all summer long Honey Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and many other pollinators constantly visit these nectar-rich flowers.  Plant in: May-June for cold winters; April-May for mild winters  Full sun  Sow seeds 1" apart; barley cover  Days to germinate: 10-15 days  Days to harvest: 12-18"  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

Renee's Garden - EXCLUSIVE - I have made up this striking combination of old-fashioned fragrant sweet peas to recall the famous scene at the end of Alice in Wonderland when the Queen commands her Knaves to paint her white roses red. Queen of Hearts is composed of heat-tolerant antique varieties that blossom in bouquets of crimson-red, deep burgundy, magenta-rose and cream. Together the irresistible colors make a regal blend of vivid flowers with delicate form and delicious honey-orange perfume.  Characteristics:  Heirloom  Pollinators & Beneficials  Annual climbing vine  Spring/summer bloom  Frost tolerant   35-40 Seeds   Instructions - Sweet peas must have well-drained soil, so dig deeply and enrich with aged manure or compost before sowing seeds. Erect a well-anchored trellis, vertical netting, or other support for vines before planting. Sow seeds in full sun in cool early spring weather as early as the ground can be worked. In mild winter areas, where the ground does not freeze, seeds can also be planted in fall to form strong root systems, then overwinter to bloom strongly in spring. Plant sweet pea seeds 1 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches apart. When seedlings are 2 inches tall, thin them 4 to 5 inches apart, to allow plants room to mature.  Sweet peas bloom best before the weather gets too hot, so if spring planting, sow as soon as the ground can be worked. Where summer heat comes on fast, they’ll appreciate a spot with afternoon shade. Anchor supports well as vines will grow heavy with bloom. Protect seedlings from birds, slugs, and snails. Mulch and keep well watered. For the longest bloom, pick flowers often and keep faded blossoms cut. Plant in: March-May for cold winters; September-March for mild winters  Full sun or part-day shade  Sow seeds 2-3" apart; 1" deep Days to germinate: 12-28 days  Mature Height: 6-8 feet  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability.