Laughing Swan Farm: 2012

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

#sds

PRICE

ANNUALS

Alyssum 'Crystals' white

large flowers

multi-seed pellet

white

$ 2.50

Amaranthus 'Red tails'

love-lies-bleeding'

showy

32"

brilliant red

$ 2.00

Amaranthus Tricolour Perfecta

variegated foliage also

good cut flower

36"

red/cream/green

$ 2.00

Ammi majus 'Queen of Africa'

superior variety, umbel shape flowers

48"

white

$ 2.00

Bacopa 'Snowtopia'

perfect white trailer

multi-seed pellet

white

B/C

$ 3.00

Begonia Non-stop mix *

large double flowers

pelleted seed

mixed

B/C

$ 2.50

Begonia Non-stop 'Mocca' mix *

with dark bronze leaf

pelleted seed

mixed

B/C

$ 2.50

Bidens 'Golden goddess'

ferny leaves, easy, 24"

trailing

24"

golden yellow

B/C

$ 2.50

Calendula

pot marigold

12"

orange

$ 2.00

Cerinthe 'Gibralter pride'

leaves blue-green, mottled with white, unusual

30"

grape colour, blue bracts

$ 3.00

Cobaea scandens purple

cup & saucer vine

very unusual

6-10'

purple, bell shape

$ 2.50

Coleus 'Black Dragon'

red lobed leaves edged in black

10"

$ 2.00

Cosmos 'Fizzy rose picotee'

large semi-double, very pretty form

36"

pink, carmine rose rim

$ 2.00

Dusty miller 'Silver dust'

silvery serrated leaf

drought tolerant

15"

$ 2.00

Cat grass (Hordeum vulgare)

variegated cat grass

very unusual

12"

$ 2.50

Geranium 'Bull's eye red'

rich chocolate zoning on leaves, premium plant

12"

red

$ 3.75

Geranium 'Inspire white'

earliest! Long flowering, multi-blooming

12"

white

$ 3.00

Marigold, French, double orange

full double flower

12"

true orange

$ 2.00

Marigold cherry gem/tangerine gem

1/2" flowers, lacy foliage

10"

cherry red/tangerine orange

$ 2.00

Marigold 'Durango' red

very large flwrs 12"

12"

deep scarlet red

$ 2.50

Marigold, French, Mahogany

gorgeous colour

large flowers

10"

mahogany, gold-fleck center

$ 2.00

Marigold Lady 'First'

African, 4" flower

18"

bright yellow

$ 3.00

Marigold Lady 'Gold'

African, 4" flower

18"

gold

$ 3.00

Marigold Lady 'Orange'

African, 4" flower

18"

orange

$ 3.00

Marigold Lady 'Primrose'

African, 4" flower

18"

ivory

$ 3.00

Marigold, Mexican 'Moonbeam'

single wavy petals

very unusual

2-3'

ivory

$ 2.00

Morning glory 'Kniolas black'

unusual colour, nice trailer or climber

velvety black

B/C

$ 2.50

Nicotiana Avalon mix (pelleted seed)

rare colours, continuous blooming, dwarf

mixed

$ 2.00

Petunia EasyWave 'Beachcomber' mix

multi-seed pellet, all colours in one pellet. Easy!

12"

blue + coral reef + shell pink

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia EasyWave 'Plum pudding' mix

multi-seed pellet, all colours in one pellet. Easy!

12"

plum vein + violet

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia ShockWave 'Electric' mix

multi-seed pellet, all colours in one pellet. Easy!

12"

purple + pink vein

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia Easywave 'Neon rose'

multi-seed pellet, mounded & trails 30", large flowers

12"

vivid hot rose

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia Easywave 'Plum vein'

multi-seed pellet, mounded & trails 30", large flowers

12"

lavender, dark plum vein

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia Easywave 'Violet'

multi-seed pellet, mounded & trails 30", large flowers

12"

rich blue violet

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia Tidalwave 'Purple'

multi-seed pellet, mounding vigorous trailer

12"

vivid purple

B/C

$ 4.00

Petunia Tidalwave 'Silver'

multi-seed pellet, mounding vigorous trailer

12"

white, purple vein

B/C

$ 4.00

Poppy 'Shirley red'

3-4" flower

18"

fire-engine red

$ 2.00

Salvia 'Lady in red'

1" trumpets, hummingbirds love it!!

12"

scarlet red

$ 2.00

B: for hanging baskets

N: native plant

C: for containers

P: pollinator plant

NAME

NOTES

DETAILS

HT.

FLOWER COLOUR

B/C

#sds

PRICE

ANNUALS

Sunflower 'Italian white'

black center

48"

ivory white

$ 2.50

Sunflower 'Munchkin'

dwarf

24"

yellow

$ 3.00

Sunflower 'Prado red'

brown center

48"

velvety red

$ 3.00

Sunflower 'Teddy bear'

full double flower

16"

golden yellow

$ 2.00

Tithonia 'Yellow torch'

Mexican sunflower

long blooming

32"

lemon yellow

$ 2.00

Variegated cat grass

cats love it

very unusual

12"

green/white variegated

$ 2.50

Venidium 'Orange prince'

5-6" blooms, striking

full sun!

32"

orange, black eye

$ 2.00

PERENNIALS

Blackberry lily

unusual, seed heads look like blackberries (iris)

36"

orange spotted with red

$ 3.00

Catnip

blooms all summer

cats love it

12"

blue-green leaves

100

$ 2.00

Gaillardia 'Burgundy'

blanket flower, drought tol.

brings butterflies

30"

rich wine red

$ 2.00

Hollyhock 'The Watchman'

unique colour, single flower

48"

dark maroon

$ 2.00

Lavender 'Ellagance Pink'

blooms first year

hardy-zone 5

10"

pink

$ 2.50

Lavender 'Ellagance Purple'

blooms first year

hardy-zone 5

12"

deep violet

$ 2.50

Lavender 'Ellagance Sky'

blooms first year

hardy-zone 5

10"

sky blue

$ 2.50

Lavender 'Hidcote superior'

primed seed for better germination, hardy zone 5

12"

deep violet

$ 2.50

Lavender 'Munstead'

most planted variety

hardy-zone 5

16"

purple

$ 2.00

Lavender 'Vicenza blue'

very scented, blooms 1st year

hardy-zone 5

15"

deep blue

$ 2.50

Monarda didyma 'Panorama mix'

fragrant, good cut flower, hummingbirds love it, FYF

30"

mix

$ 2.00

Poppy 'Tulip poppy'

rare, originally from Mesopotamia

18"

brilliant scarlet

$ 2.00

Soapwort

great for groundcover & containers

pink

B/C

$ 2.00

Thyme, mother of

creeping ground cover

not for culinary use

pink to purple

$ 2.00

Veronica 'Red Fox'

dwarf plant, lots of flower spikes,flowers first year

15"

deep rosey red

$ 2.00

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, ANNUAL

DETAILS

LEAF COLOUR

Carex flagellifera (bronze)

fine arching bronze leaves (weeping sedge)

15"

bronze

$ 2.50

Carex 'Red rooster'

changes colour - wheat to bronze, curled tip

12-14"

wheat to bronze

$ 3.00

Foxtail barley

long silky awns, for containers

24"

pale green

$ 2.00

Love Grass 'Ruby silk'

ruby seed heads, good dried

16"

green to wheat

$ 2.00

Mexican feather grass

fine leaves, very graceful

30"

green

$ 2.50

Millet 'Lime spray'

lime green foliage & seed heads

36"

lime green

$ 2.00

Millet 'Purple majesty'

deep purple foliage, 10" purple seed head

36"

deep purple

$ 2.00

Stipa 'Angel hair'

fine leaves, very graceful & elegant

36"

green

$ 2.50

Stipa 'Pony tails'

fine leaves, very graceful & elegant

18"

green

$ 2.50

Stipa 'Wind whispers'

very fine leaves, very graceful & elegant

36"

green

$ 2.50

Wheat 'Mesa desert'

full awn, for dried or fresh cut

36"

green to wheat

$ 2.00

B: for hanging baskets

N: native plant

C: for containers

P: pollinator plant

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, PERENNIAL

DETAILS

HT.

LEAF COLOUR

B/C

#sds

PRICE

Buchloe dactyloides (buffalo grass)

dense clump, curly blades, drought tolerant

12"

grey/green

$ 2.50

Melica 'Red spires'

deep red plumes, bronze leaves

60"

green/bronze

$ 2.50

Pennisetum 'Tail feathers'

upright, cream seed heads

4-5'

green

$ 2.50

Pennisetum'Viridescens' (fountain grass)

irridescent black foxtail seed heads

36"

green turns to gold

$ 3.00

Sorghastrum nutans

Indian grass, tolerates poor soil, challenging

36"

grey/green turns orange

$ 2.00

Xerophyllum tenax

Bear grass' very unusual, zone 5, challenging

48"

green, white flowers

$ 2.00

VEGETABLES

DAYS

LEAF COLOUR

Arugula (rocket)

adds a tangy flavour to salads, 16"

green

$ 2.00

Broccoli 'Decicco Italian sprouting '

sprouting type, continuous harvest

$ 2.00

Endive 'Marchiere Tres Fine'

frilly, French type

mild, delicious

green

$ 2.00

Leek 'King Richard'

summer type, very early, 12"

white interior

green

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Barbados'

summer crisp

baby leaf

green

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Cherokee'

summer crisp

great flavour

dark red, large

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Chistera'

baby leaf

fast growing

red

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Emerald-ruby duo'

butterhead & frilly mix

green & red blend

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Galactic'

leaf (30 days-baby, 58 days-full)

30-58

very dark red

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Green ice`'

baby leaf

ruffled

sweet, green

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Petite rouge'

romaine-cos

baby leaf

wine red

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Salad bowl green'

leaf

sweet, tender

brilliant green

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Simpson elite'

leaf

slow-bolting, sweet

light green

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Sunset'

leaf

slow-bolting

dark red, large

$ 2.00

Lettuce 'Vivian'

romaine (25 days-baby, 50 days-full) bolt resist.

25-50

dark green

$ 2.00

Mache 'Corn salad'

mild

nice in salads

green

$ 2.00

Mustard 'Green wave'

Asian mustard

slow bolting

frilly, green

$ 2.00

Mustard 'Mizuna'

Asian mustard

non-pungent

narrow, green

$ 2.00

Mustard 'Tatsoi'

Asian mustard

mild flavour

deep green rosette

$ 2.00

Onion 'Candy'

mild, sweet, stores well

white flesh

$ 2.00

Onion 'Red Zeppelin'

large, deep red

excellent storage

115

$ 2.00

Pepper 'Big red'

sweet, thick wall, 4"x6"

mild

$ 2.50

Pepper 'Jalapeno early'

early variety

hot

$ 2.00

Pepper 'Joe's long'

unusual, 11" long

medium

$ 2.50

Pepper 'Yankee bell'

medium/large, early

mild

$ 2.50

Pumpkin 'Cinderella'

French heirloom

best tasting!

$ 2.00

Pumpkin 'Small sugar pie'

sweet flesh

tasty

100

$ 2.00

Spinach 'Swan'

baby leaf, mildew resistant

very sweet, tasty

glossy round dark green

$ 2.00

Squash 'Delicata'

winter squash

sweet

100

$ 2.00

Squash 'Early butternut'

winter squash

nutty flavour

$ 2.50

Squash 'Queensland blue'

winter squash

tasty, semi-sweet

110

$ 2.00

Squash 'Sweet dumpling'

winter squash

sweet, tender

100

$ 2.00

Swiss chard 'Rainbow'

colourful

tasty, tender

$ 2.00

B: for hanging baskets

N: native plant

C: for containers

P: pollinator plant

VEGETABLES

NOTES

DETAILS

DAYS

LEAF COLOUR

B/C

#sds

PRICE

Tomatillo

purple fruit

for salsa, cooking

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Allegheny sunset'

excellent flavour, ind.

heirloom

yellow, red marbling

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Beefmaster' F1

great tasting slicer, ind.

disease resistant

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Beefsteak'

great tasting slicer, ind.

traditional beefsteak

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Black cherry'

sweet rich flvr, prolific, ind.

heirloom

purple/red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Black Krim'

medium, hvy prod., ind.

heirloom

brown/red colour

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Black truffle'

high sugar, rich flvr, ind.

heirloom

burgundy/black

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Black zebra'

rich flavour, ind.

heirloom

dark red, green/mahogany

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Bloody butcher'

medium, early, ind.

heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Brandywine'

excellent flavour/texture, ind.

Amish heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Celebrity' F1

high disease resist, det.

fresh or canned

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Cherokee purple'

rich, smokey flvr., ind.

heirloom

deep dark dusky rose-purple

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Czech excellent yellow'

full flvr., high producer, ind.

heirloom

yellow

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Green Zebra'

intense full flvr., ind.

heirloom

lime green, streaked yellow

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Hillbilly' (tomato leaf)

med., orange&red, ind.

heirloom

yellow-orange, red streaks

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Indigo rose'

high antioxidants, ind

acid/sugar balance

purple with rose end

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Italian heirloom'

huge fruit, excellent, ind.

heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Italian roma'

meaty, good taste, ind.

fresh or sauce

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Japanese black trifele'

rich/complex flvr, pear shape, crack resist., ind.

burgundy/green

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Joie de la table'

rare, good taste, more acid than sweet, ind.

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Kardinal'

juicy, great taste, earthy, great slicer, ind.

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Lemon boy' F1

juicy, low acid, prolific, ind.

mild flavour

yellow

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Maria's cherry'

very sweet, prolific, ind.

Italian heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Marmande Paris'

gourmet type, semi-det.

great flavour

dark red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'New York'

good sweet/acid flavour, det

fresh or canned

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Oregon spring'

medium, early, hardy, det.

heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Oxheart red'

heartshape, up to 2 lbs. ind.

heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Pineapple Hawaiian'

sweet fruity taste, few seeds, ind., beefsteak type

yellow/red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Riesentraube'

high yields, good tomato taste, vigorous, 1"fruit, ind.

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Rozovyi'

exc. sweet flavour, huge, ind

good for sauce

red/pink

$ 2.50

Tomato 'San Marzanno'

meaty, great for sauce, ind.

heirloom

bright red, pear shape

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Southern nights'

smokey full flavour, ind.

Russian heirloom

black/red, green shoulders

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Sugar lump'

cherry, very sweet, ind.

heirloom

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Sun gold' F1

Sweet! Vigorous, good for drying, ind.

tangerine colour

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Swan's surprise!'

a mix of varieties - try something new!

various

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Sweet million'

cherry, sweet, ind.

long clusters

red

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Wapsipinicon peach'

2", fruity, fuzzy like peach, ind

sweet, unusual

peach colour

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Yellow plum'

lots of clusters, produces until frost, low acid, ind

yellow

$ 2.50

Tomato 'Zigon'

rich complex flavour, old Russian heirloom, ind

black/red

$ 2.50

Watermelon 'Sugar baby'

juicy, sweet, thin rind

small fruit, early

$ 2.00

B: for hanging baskets

N: native plant

C: for containers

P: pollinator plant

HERBS

NOTES

DETAILS

HT.

LEAF COLOUR

B/C

#sds

PRICE

Basil 'Genovese'

aka St. Remo

favoured by chefs

21"

dark green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Goddess'

compact, slow bolting

very spicy

12"

bright green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Holy'

green

gourmet, strong

12"

green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Italian sweet large leaf''

large, bright green

strongly scented

16"

bright green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Mammoth'

huge, light green

excellent flavour

15"

light green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Pistou'

petite, rounded shape

spicy

green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Red Freddy'

dark red Genovese type, same flavour

21"

dark red

$ 2.00

Basil 'Red ruby'

3" leaf, vigorous

great flavour

18"

purple

$ 2.00

Basil 'Sacred'

best for cool weather, hardy

12"

green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Sweet Dani'

large, olive green

strong lemon flavour

26"

olive green

$ 2.00

Basil 'Thai Siam queen'

AAS winner

licorice flavour

24"

purple

$ 2.00

Borage

sky blue star flowers

edible flwr/leaves

24"

green

$ 2.00

Cilantro 'Rani'

large flat green leaf, mild

more for seed

24"

green

$ 2.00

Cilantro 'Santo'

large flat green leaf

favourite

24"

green

$ 2.00

Dill 'Superdukat'

lots of foliage, high essential oil, easy

30"

green

$ 2.00

Parsley 'Italian' (flat leaf)

dark green flat leaf

best flavour

12"

dark green

$ 2.00

Parsley 'Forest green' (moss curled)

triple curled

good flavour

12"

forest green

$ 2.00

Sage (garden)

traditional, culinary

best flavour

24"

grey/green

$ 2.00

Summer savory

easy to grow

for meat/veggies

12"

green/bronze

$ 2.00

Sweet Marjoram

milder than oregano

good with meats

12"

green

$ 2.00

Thyme (winter)

English type, hardy

excellent flavour

6-10"

green

$ 2.00

Petunia EasyWave

Petunia ShockWave

Beachcomber' mix

Plum Pudding' mix

Electric' mix

all 3 colours in 1 pelleted seed

both colours in 1 pelleted seed

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.

Laughing Swan Farm

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Snowing

Friday, December 28, 2012

Seed Catalogue for 2013