Saturday, December 29, 2012

Snowing

It's the end of 2012 and we have had a good year at Laughing Swan Farm.
Plants got sold, plants got grown and plants are also overwintering, getting strong for next year. The Laughing Swan seed business is also getting going, promising to be a nice off season addition to our plant sales.
Next year will see more varied and interesting plants   some hard to find, some unusual, and some quite rare.
2013 will see  43 varieties of tomatoes. (Seeds/plants)
Just like the plants we deal with, the business itself is constantly changing, growing and evolving.
Please email us for our seed catalogue, we do mail order. laughingswan@telus.net
Lets have a wonderful 2013.
www.laughingswanfarm.com

Friday, December 28, 2012

Seed Catalogue for 2013

LAUGHING SWAN SEEDS         on the sunny South Thompson River
Our seed business is remarkably different from any other seed company.
We advocate for people to stop wasting seeds!  A family of 4 with a moderate size
garden doesn't need 500 lettuce seeds, or 200 basil seeds, or 100 tomato seeds.
Generally, you will plant some seeds from the packet, and the rest are put away,
either in a place not suitable for keeping them fresh, or forgotten about the next
year.  Even though many seeds are viable for more than 1 year, fresher is better.
We believe it is better to offer seeds in smaller amounts, that you will use in a year.
You are better off to buy fresh seed next year.  Also, then you are not stuck with
hundreds of seeds of a particular variety.  Experiment - try different varieties!
Many people over-sow their seeds.  Carrots are a good example: people will fill the
seed furrow with seeds (partly to use up what they bought), only to have to spend
hours thinning out the shoots so the few plants they actually want can grow!
Overcrowding is not good for any plants.  Yes, we know this flies in the face
of what 'everyone' has 'always done'.  Sometimes change is for the better.
We promote sowing fewer seeds, reducing the need to pull them out to thin, thereby
not wasting seeds.  The shoots that do germinate and sprout will be healthier 
without all that competition.  And, you will have more time to enjoy your garden!
"Old gardeners never die, they just go to seed"
LAUGHING SWAN SEEDS - LAUGHING SWAN FARM


Important!                                                                                                                                         To order seeds, send us an email with your seed selections, we will then 

send you an Invoice through 'Paypal' where you can pay with either a 
credit card or your 'Paypal' account. Once we have confirmation, 
 we mail the seeds to you or, if you prefer to pick them up at the 
'Visions Farmers Market' (Sahali Mall) please say so in your email.
Dates of market; Feb 2, 16, March 2, 16, April 6, 20.
laughingswan@telus.net Shirley & Ken Wells
www.laughingswanfarm.com
LAUGHING SWAN FARM
2013 SEED CATALOG 
B: for hanging baskets N: native plant
C: for containers P: pollinator plant
NAME NOTES DETAILS HT. FLOWER COLOUR B/C N P #sds  PRICE 
ANNUALS
Alyssum 'Crystals' white large flowers multi-seed pellet 4" white P 20  $    2.50
Amaranthus 'Red tails' love-lies-bleeding' showy 32" brilliant red C 40  $    2.00
Amaranthus Tricolour Perfecta variegated foliage also good cut flower 36" red/cream/green  C 40  $    2.00
Ammi majus 'Queen of Africa' superior variety, umbel shape flowers 48" white N P 25  $    2.00
Bacopa 'Snowtopia' perfect white trailer multi-seed pellet 6" white B/C 10  $    3.00
Begonia Non-stop mix   * large double flowers pelleted seed 8" mixed B/C 10  $    2.50
Begonia Non-stop 'Mocca' mix   * with dark bronze leaf pelleted seed 8" mixed B/C 10  $    2.50
Bidens 'Golden goddess' ferny leaves, easy, 24" trailing 24" golden yellow B/C 10  $    2.50
Calendula pot marigold 12" orange 15  $    2.00
Cerinthe 'Gibralter pride' leaves blue-green, mottled with white, unusual 30" grape colour, blue bracts P 6  $    3.00
Cobaea scandens purple cup & saucer vine very unusual 6-10' purple, bell shape P 5  $    2.50
Coleus 'Black Dragon' red lobed leaves edged in black 10" C 25  $    2.00
Cosmos 'Fizzy rose picotee' large semi-double, very pretty form 36" pink, carmine rose rim 18  $    2.00
Dusty miller 'Silver dust' silvery serrated leaf  drought tolerant 15" 40  $    2.00
Cat grass (Hordeum vulgare) variegated cat grass very unusual 12" C N 25  $    2.50
Geranium 'Bull's eye red' rich chocolate zoning on leaves, premium plant 12" red C 10  $    3.75
Geranium 'Inspire white' earliest! Long flowering, multi-blooming 12" white C 10  $    3.00
Marigold, French, double orange full double flower 12" true orange P 20  $    2.00
Marigold cherry gem/tangerine gem 1/2" flowers, lacy foliage 10" cherry red/tangerine orange P 25  $    2.00
Marigold 'Durango' red  very large flwrs  12" 12" deep scarlet red P 40  $    2.50
Marigold, French, Mahogany gorgeous colour large flowers 10" mahogany, gold-fleck center P 6  $    2.00
Marigold Lady 'First' African, 4" flower 18" bright yellow P 15  $    3.00
Marigold Lady 'Gold' African, 4" flower 18" gold P 15  $    3.00
Marigold Lady 'Orange' African, 4" flower 18" orange P 15  $    3.00
Marigold Lady 'Primrose' African, 4" flower 18" ivory P 15  $    3.00
Marigold, Mexican 'Moonbeam' single wavy petals very unusual 2-3' ivory P  $    2.00
Morning glory 'Kniolas black' unusual colour, nice trailer or climber 4' velvety black B/C 8  $    2.50
Nicotiana Avalon mix (pelleted seed) rare colours, continuous blooming, dwarf 8" mixed C 25  $    2.00
Petunia EasyWave 'Beachcomber' mix multi-seed pellet, all colours in one pellet. Easy! 12" blue + coral reef + shell pink B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia EasyWave 'Plum pudding' mix multi-seed pellet, all colours in one pellet. Easy! 12" plum vein + violet B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia ShockWave 'Electric' mix multi-seed pellet, all colours in one pellet. Easy! 12" purple + pink vein B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia Easywave 'Neon rose' multi-seed pellet, mounded & trails 30", large flowers 12" vivid hot rose B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia Easywave 'Plum vein' multi-seed pellet, mounded & trails 30", large flowers 12" lavender, dark plum vein B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia Easywave 'Violet' multi-seed pellet, mounded & trails 30", large flowers 12" rich blue violet B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia Tidalwave 'Purple' multi-seed pellet, mounding vigorous trailer 12" vivid purple B/C 6  $    4.00
Petunia Tidalwave 'Silver' multi-seed pellet, mounding vigorous trailer 12" white, purple vein B/C 6  $    4.00
Poppy 'Shirley red' 3-4" flower 18" fire-engine red P 25  $    2.00
Salvia 'Lady in red' 1" trumpets, hummingbirds love it!! 12" scarlet red C 25  $    2.00
B: for hanging baskets N: native plant
C: for containers P: pollinator plant
NAME NOTES DETAILS HT. FLOWER COLOUR B/C N P #sds  PRICE 
ANNUALS
Sunflower 'Italian white' black center 48" ivory white P 15  $    2.50
Sunflower 'Munchkin' dwarf 24" yellow C P 10  $    3.00
Sunflower 'Prado red' brown center 48" velvety red P 10  $    3.00
Sunflower 'Teddy bear' full double flower 16" golden yellow C P 10  $    2.00
Tithonia 'Yellow torch' Mexican sunflower long blooming 32" lemon yellow P 10  $    2.00
Variegated cat grass cats love it very unusual 12" green/white variegated C 25  $    2.50
Venidium 'Orange prince'  5-6" blooms, striking full sun! 32" orange, black eye C 10  $    2.00
PERENNIALS
Blackberry lily unusual, seed heads look like blackberries (iris) 36" orange spotted with red P 10  $    3.00
Catnip blooms all summer cats love it 12" blue-green leaves C P 100  $    2.00
Gaillardia 'Burgundy' blanket flower, drought tol. brings butterflies 30" rich wine red P 12  $    2.00
Hollyhock 'The Watchman' unique colour, single flower 48" dark maroon 10  $    2.00
Lavender 'Ellagance Pink' blooms first year hardy-zone 5 10" pink P 15  $    2.50
Lavender 'Ellagance Purple' blooms first year hardy-zone 5 12" deep violet P 15  $    2.50
Lavender 'Ellagance Sky' blooms first year hardy-zone 5 10" sky blue P 15  $    2.50
Lavender 'Hidcote superior' primed seed for better germination, hardy zone 5 12" deep violet P 20  $    2.50
Lavender 'Munstead' most planted variety hardy-zone 5 16" purple P 25  $    2.00
Lavender 'Vicenza blue' very scented, blooms 1st year hardy-zone 5 15" deep blue P 20  $    2.50
Monarda didyma 'Panorama mix' fragrant, good cut flower, hummingbirds love it, FYF 30" mix P 25  $    2.00
Poppy 'Tulip poppy' rare, originally from Mesopotamia 18" brilliant scarlet 25  $    2.00
Soapwort great for groundcover & containers 6" pink B/C P 40  $    2.00
Thyme, mother of creeping ground cover not for culinary use 4" pink to purple P 20  $    2.00
Veronica 'Red Fox' dwarf plant, lots of flower spikes,flowers  first year 15" deep rosey red P 20  $    2.00
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, ANNUAL DETAILS LEAF COLOUR
Carex flagellifera (bronze) fine arching bronze leaves (weeping sedge) 15" bronze C 12  $    2.50
Carex 'Red rooster' changes colour - wheat to bronze, curled tip 12-14" wheat to bronze C 5  $    3.00
Foxtail barley long silky awns, for containers 24" pale green N 20  $    2.00
Love Grass 'Ruby silk' ruby seed heads, good dried 16" green to wheat C 25  $    2.00
Mexican feather grass fine leaves, very graceful  30" green C N 25  $    2.50
Millet 'Lime spray' lime green foliage & seed heads 36" lime green C 20  $    2.00
Millet 'Purple majesty' deep purple foliage, 10" purple seed head 36" deep purple C 10  $    2.00
Stipa 'Angel hair' fine leaves, very graceful & elegant 36" green C 25  $    2.50
Stipa 'Pony tails' fine leaves, very graceful & elegant 18" green C 25  $    2.50
Stipa 'Wind whispers' very fine leaves, very graceful & elegant 36" green C 15  $    2.50
Wheat 'Mesa desert' full awn, for dried or fresh cut 36" green to wheat C 20  $    2.00
B: for hanging baskets N: native plant
C: for containers P: pollinator plant
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, PERENNIAL DETAILS HT. LEAF COLOUR B/C N P #sds  PRICE 
Buchloe dactyloides (buffalo grass) dense clump, curly blades, drought tolerant  12" grey/green N 50  $    2.50
Melica 'Red spires' deep red plumes, bronze leaves 60" green/bronze N 10  $    2.50
Pennisetum 'Tail feathers' upright, cream seed heads 4-5' green C 10  $    2.50
Pennisetum'Viridescens' (fountain grass) irridescent black foxtail seed heads 36" green turns to gold C 10  $    3.00
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass, tolerates poor soil, challenging 36" grey/green turns orange N 10  $    2.00
Xerophyllum tenax Bear grass' very unusual, zone 5, challenging 48" green, white flowers N 10  $    2.00
VEGETABLES DAYS LEAF COLOUR
Arugula (rocket) adds a tangy flavour to salads, 16" 30 green 25  $    2.00
Broccoli 'Decicco Italian sprouting ' sprouting type, continuous harvest 48 P 20  $    2.00
Endive 'Marchiere Tres Fine' frilly, French type mild, delicious 40 green 15  $    2.00
Leek 'King Richard' summer type, very early, 12" white interior 75 green 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Barbados' summer crisp baby leaf 33 green  25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Cherokee' summer crisp great flavour 48 dark red, large 10  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Chistera' baby leaf fast growing 60 red 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Emerald-ruby duo' butterhead & frilly mix 60 green & red blend 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Galactic'  leaf (30 days-baby, 58 days-full) 30-58 very dark red 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Green ice`' baby leaf ruffled 45 sweet, green 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Petite rouge' romaine-cos baby leaf 48 wine red 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Salad bowl green' leaf sweet, tender 45 brilliant green 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Simpson elite' leaf slow-bolting, sweet 48 light green 50  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Sunset' leaf slow-bolting 50 dark red, large 25  $    2.00
Lettuce 'Vivian' romaine (25 days-baby, 50 days-full) bolt resist. 25-50 dark green 25  $    2.00
Mache 'Corn salad' mild nice in salads 60 green 25  $    2.00
Mustard 'Green wave' Asian mustard slow bolting 30 frilly, green 25  $    2.00
Mustard 'Mizuna' Asian mustard non-pungent 30 narrow, green 25  $    2.00
Mustard 'Tatsoi'  Asian mustard mild flavour 45 deep green rosette 25  $    2.00
Onion 'Candy' mild, sweet, stores well white flesh 95 15  $    2.00
Onion 'Red Zeppelin' large, deep red excellent storage 115 25  $    2.00
Pepper 'Big red' sweet, thick wall, 4"x6" mild 75 12  $    2.50
Pepper 'Jalapeno early' early variety hot 85 25  $    2.00
Pepper 'Joe's long' unusual, 11" long medium 75 6  $    2.50
Pepper 'Yankee bell' medium/large, early mild 70 12  $    2.50
Pumpkin 'Cinderella' French heirloom best tasting! 95 6  $    2.00
Pumpkin 'Small sugar pie' sweet flesh tasty 100 8  $    2.00
Spinach 'Swan' baby leaf, mildew resistant very sweet, tasty 53 glossy round dark green 25  $    2.00
Squash 'Delicata' winter squash sweet 100 10  $    2.00
Squash 'Early butternut' winter squash nutty flavour 85 6  $    2.50
Squash 'Queensland blue' winter squash tasty, semi-sweet 110 4  $    2.00
Squash 'Sweet dumpling' winter squash sweet, tender 100 10  $    2.00
Swiss chard 'Rainbow' colourful tasty, tender 60 25  $    2.00
B: for hanging baskets N: native plant
C: for containers P: pollinator plant
VEGETABLES NOTES DETAILS DAYS LEAF COLOUR B/C N P #sds  PRICE 
Tomatillo purple fruit for salsa, cooking 70 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Allegheny sunset' excellent flavour, ind. heirloom 80 yellow, red marbling C 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Beefmaster' F1 great tasting slicer, ind. disease resistant 80 red 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Beefsteak' great tasting slicer, ind. traditional beefsteak 80 red 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Black cherry' sweet rich flvr, prolific, ind. heirloom 65 purple/red 15  $    2.50
Tomato 'Black Krim' medium, hvy prod., ind. heirloom 80 brown/red colour C 20  $    2.50
Tomato 'Black truffle' high sugar, rich flvr, ind. heirloom 75 burgundy/black C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Black zebra' rich flavour, ind. heirloom 85 dark red, green/mahogany C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Bloody butcher' medium, early, ind. heirloom 55 red C 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Brandywine' excellent flavour/texture, ind. Amish heirloom 80 red 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Celebrity' F1 high disease resist, det. fresh or canned 72 red C 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Cherokee purple' rich, smokey flvr., ind. heirloom 75 deep dark dusky rose-purple C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Czech excellent yellow' full flvr., high producer, ind. heirloom 75 yellow C 8  $    2.50
Tomato 'Green Zebra' intense full flvr., ind. heirloom 75 lime green, streaked yellow C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Hillbilly' (tomato leaf) med., orange&red, ind. heirloom 85 yellow-orange, red streaks C 20  $    2.50
Tomato 'Indigo rose' high antioxidants, ind acid/sugar balance 80 purple with rose end C 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Italian heirloom' huge fruit, excellent, ind. heirloom 75 red C 15  $    2.50
Tomato 'Italian roma' meaty, good taste, ind. fresh or sauce 78 red 20  $    2.50
Tomato 'Japanese black trifele' rich/complex flvr, pear shape, crack resist., ind. 74 burgundy/green 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Joie de la table' rare, good taste, more acid than sweet, ind. 75 red 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Kardinal' juicy, great taste, earthy, great slicer, ind. 75 red 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Lemon boy' F1 juicy, low acid, prolific, ind. mild flavour 72 yellow 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Maria's cherry' very sweet, prolific, ind. Italian heirloom 70 red C 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Marmande Paris' gourmet type, semi-det. great flavour 62 dark red C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'New York' good sweet/acid flavour, det fresh or canned 64 red 15  $    2.50
Tomato 'Oregon spring' medium, early, hardy, det. heirloom 60 red C 20  $    2.50
Tomato 'Oxheart red' heartshape, up to 2 lbs. ind. heirloom 80 red C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Pineapple Hawaiian' sweet fruity taste, few seeds, ind., beefsteak type 85 yellow/red 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Riesentraube' high yields, good tomato taste, vigorous, 1"fruit, ind. 80 red 15  $    2.50
Tomato 'Rozovyi' exc. sweet flavour, huge, ind good for sauce 75 red/pink 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'San Marzanno' meaty, great for sauce, ind. heirloom 80 bright red, pear shape C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Southern nights' smokey full flavour, ind. Russian heirloom 80 black/red, green shoulders C 12  $    2.50
Tomato 'Sugar lump' cherry, very sweet, ind. heirloom 65 red C 20  $    2.50
Tomato 'Sun gold' F1 Sweet! Vigorous, good for drying, ind. 57 tangerine colour C 8  $    2.50
Tomato 'Swan's surprise!' a mix of varieties - try something new! various 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Sweet million' cherry, sweet, ind. long clusters 70 red C 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Wapsipinicon peach' 2", fruity, fuzzy like peach, ind sweet, unusual 78 peach colour 10  $    2.50
Tomato 'Yellow plum' lots of clusters, produces until frost, low acid, ind 78 yellow 20  $    2.50
Tomato 'Zigon' rich complex flavour, old Russian heirloom, ind 80 black/red 12  $    2.50
Watermelon 'Sugar baby' juicy, sweet, thin rind small fruit, early 80 8  $    2.00
B: for hanging baskets N: native plant
C: for containers P: pollinator plant
HERBS NOTES DETAILS HT. LEAF COLOUR B/C N P #sds  PRICE 
Basil 'Genovese' aka St. Remo favoured by chefs 21" dark green 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Goddess' compact, slow bolting very spicy 12" bright green C 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Holy' green gourmet, strong 12" green C 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Italian sweet large leaf'' large, bright green strongly scented 16" bright green 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Mammoth' huge, light green excellent flavour 15" light green 25  $    2.00
Basil 'Pistou' petite, rounded shape spicy 6" green C 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Red Freddy' dark red Genovese type, same flavour 21" dark red 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Red ruby' 3" leaf, vigorous great flavour 18" purple 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Sacred' best for cool weather, hardy 12" green C 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Sweet Dani' large, olive green strong lemon flavour 26" olive green 20  $    2.00
Basil 'Thai Siam queen' AAS winner licorice flavour 24" purple 20  $    2.00
Borage sky blue star flowers edible flwr/leaves 24" green P 10  $    2.00
Cilantro 'Rani' large flat green leaf, mild more for seed 24" green 10  $    2.00
Cilantro 'Santo' large flat green leaf favourite 24" green 10  $    2.00
Dill 'Superdukat' lots of foliage, high essential oil, easy 30" green 20  $    2.00
Parsley 'Italian' (flat leaf) dark green flat leaf best flavour 12" dark green C 20  $    2.00
Parsley 'Forest green' (moss curled) triple curled good flavour 12" forest green C 20  $    2.00
Sage (garden) traditional, culinary best flavour 24" grey/green P 10  $    2.00
Summer savory easy to grow for meat/veggies 12" green/bronze P 20  $    2.00
Sweet Marjoram milder than oregano good with meats 12" green P 20  $    2.00
Thyme (winter)  English type, hardy excellent flavour 6-10" green P 10  $    2.00



Petunia EasyWave  Petunia EasyWave  Petunia ShockWave
Beachcomber' mix Plum Pudding' mix Electric' mix
all 3 colours in 1 pelleted seed both colours in 1 pelleted seed both colours in 1 pelleted seed
plant 3-5 seeds per basket plant 3-5 seeds per basket plant 3-5 seeds per basket
Notes:
*'Multi-seed pellet' and 'pelleted seed' have many tiny seeds per pellet, making sowing these seeds very easy, without over-sowing.
*Marigold seeds that are 'de-tailed' have had the extra tail removed, reducing the overall size of the seeds, making them much easier to plant.
*'Primed seed' has already been stratified (pre-chilled), increasing germination rates.
Please contact us for ordering. See our website for photos of the ornamental grasses.