Descriptions: Oregano relative forming low to medium, semi woody shrubs with sweetly scented, sticky leaves and inconspicuous white flowers attractive to butterflies.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late summer.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky, sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Castilleja chromosa "Desert Indian Paintbrush", 12"H x 12"W, Malheur Co., OR, 2500 feet
Description: Low herbaceous plants with variable colored bracts of red, orange, pink, or yellow. The state flower of Wyoming.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early spring to early summer.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. 4 pictures.
2 offers, 100 seeds for $4.00, 1/4 gram seed (1000+ seed) for $12.00.
Chilopsis linearis "Desert Willow", 180"H x 180"W, ex. cultivation. Origin: Widespread in SW USA.
Description: Small trees, typically to 15 feet or more. Fragrant pink orchid like flowers attractive to hummingbirds.
Cold Hardiness: Z6b-9b
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Freely flowering late spring to fall. Plants are semi riparian and need supplementary watering during the heat of summer.
Soil Mix: Gently sloped sandy loam.
Germination Code = HW (above 75 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
Description: Medium to large woody shrubs with thick, succulent like leaves. Flowers inconspicuous but mature into colorful seeds of red, pink or yellow.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering time: Early spring.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Eriogonum fasciculatum "Eastern Mojave Buckwheat", 30'H x 36"W, Lincoln Co., NV, 4100 feet.
Description: Low to medium sized woody shrubs. Umbels pinkish white, fading to rusty colors.
Cold Hardiness: Z7a-10a. Plants can withstand short periods on intense cold but can succumb to prolonged periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Flowering Time: Early to late summer.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Eriogonum calcareum "Whitewoolly Buckwheat", 24" H x 24"W, Owyhee Co., ID, 3100 feet
Description: Hard woody cushions mature into short bonsai like mini trees. Extra tall umbels of yellow.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Mid summer to early fall.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
Description: The iconic and primary indicator plant of the Great Basin. Plants vary in size from low shrubs to small trees depending on soil type and moisture content.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late summer to fall.
Soil Mix: Gently sloped sandy loam.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. 2 Pictures.
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures.
1 offer, 50 seeds for $3.00.
Dalea purpurea "Violet Prairie Clover", 24"H x 24"W, ex. cultivation. Origin: widespread in central USA
Description: Low herbaceous plants from a thick rootstock. Spikes of bright pink to lavender a favorite of bees and butterflies.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer.
Soil Mix: Sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Caesalpinia gilliesii "Yellow Bird of Paradise", 96"H x 96"W, ex. cultivation. Origin: Arid regions of western Argentina.
Description: Large bushes to small trees with tiny leaves. Large yellow flowers with long bright red staimens attractive to hummingbirds.
Cold Hardiness: 7b-10b, Plants can withstand short periods on intense cold but can succumb to prolonged periods of continuous freezing without protection.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to fall.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam.
Germination Code = WM (60-75 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
1 offer, 25 seeds for $3.00.
Artemisia rigida "Scabland Sage", 24"H x 36"W, Grant Co., WA, 1000 feet
Description: Short to medium, winter deciduous shrubs. A good choice for smaller gardens and full sun.
Cold Hardiness: Zone 5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late summer to fall.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ(32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Astragalus mollissimus var. thompsoniae "Woolly Milk-Vetch", 8"H x 10"W, Owyhee Co., ID, 3500 feet
Description: Low branching tuffs from a taproot. Leaves with dense hair and racemes of purple pink.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Primarily early to late spring, however additional flowers can appear if adequate moisture and cooler temperatures persist.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Four pictures.
Description: Robust tuffs of grassy foliage. Yellow rayless daises, occasionally with rays in this population.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early spring to early summer.
Soil Mix: Sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 50 seeds for $3.00.
Sold out. Next availability expected to be summer 2025.
Encelia virginensis "Virgin River Brittlebush", 36"H x 48"W, Lincoln Co., NV, 5000 feet
Description: Medium sized, semi woody shrubs with small sandpapery leaves of bluish green. Small yellow rayed flowers on tall stems.
Cold Hardiness: Zone 6b-9b, One of the few cold hardy species of Encelia. Plants are root hardy and can resprout after arctic temperatures.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Primarily mid spring to early summer, however plants are opportunistic and can flower if adequate moisture is available.
Soil Mix: Sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code =WM (60-75 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Five pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Eriogonum shockleyi "Shockley's Buckwheat", 1"H x 10"W, White Pine Co., NV, 5800 feet
Description: Tiny succulent like leaves on dwarf flat mats. Tiny umbels of creamy to sulphur yellow barely rise above the leaves.
Cold Hardiness: Zone 5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer. Plants are opportunistic and will continue to flower if enough moisture is present.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code =FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. One picture.
1 offer, 20 seeds for $3.00.
Sold out. Next availability expected late summer 2025.
Salvia pachyphylla (Riverside) "California Blue Sage", 30"H x 36" W, Riverside Co., CA, 7800 feet
Description: Medium to broad woody shrubs. This population with more yellowish bracts and lighter flowers.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Late spring through early fall.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = WM (60-75 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.50
Calylophus lavandulifolius "Sundrops", 5"H x 24"W, Lincoln Co., NV, 5800 feet
Description: Low herbaceous mats spreading from a central rootstock. Large, square shaped yellow flowers open in the late evening and fade to orange the following day.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Primarily spring, however plants are opportunistic and can flower freely as long as adequate moisture is available.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
Description: Low tight cushions of powdery, bluish green leaves. Variable colors in this population, creamy white, pinkish or yellow tinted umbels.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early to late spring.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Five pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Cryptantha spiculifera "Snake River Cryptantha", 12"H x 8"H, Owyhee Co., ID, 3100 feet
Description: Low herbaceous tuffs of spiny leaves. Small white flowers on short stems.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early to mid spring.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00
Chaetopappa ericoides "Rose Heath", White Pine Co., NV, 6700 feet
Description: Low spreading mats from a taproot. White aster flowers in abundance.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Flowering Time: Primarily spring, however plants are opportunistic and will continue to flower if adequate moisture is available.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00
Camassia quamash var. utahensis "Camas", Gem Co., UT, 4100 feet
Description: Thick grassy tuffs from edible bulbs. Light lavender flowers.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early to mid spring.
Soil Mix: Gentle sloped sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Five pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Astragalus purshii var. glareosus "Woollypod Milk-Vetch", 2"H x 10"W, Gem Co., ID, 2800 feet
Description: This variety forming larger spreading mats from a taproot. Leaves small and hairy. Flowers on short terminal clusters held close to the leaves.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early to mid spring.
Soil Type: Sharp draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00
Sold out. Next availability expected summer 2025.
Allium parvum "Small Onion", Washington Co., ID, 3"H x 3"W, 3400 feet.
Description: Light pink flowers over inconspicuous leaf pairs. Plants disappear in the heat of summer and resprout the following spring.
Cold Hardiness: Z5b-8b
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early spring.
Soil Mix: Well draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00
Sold out. No ETA.
Geoscape Desert Nursery
Cold hardy cactus, succulents, and perennials for the rock gardening enthusiast.
In all cases, seeds will only germinate in specific temperature ranges and will remain dormant until those conditions are met. These can be grouped into four categories (see individual listings for "Germination Code") with the first two needing at least 6-8 weeks of cold stratification (freeze/thawing) to stimulate germination and are best sown in fall just before the freezing nights begin. Germination begins once the temperatures start to rise back above freezing during the day on a regular basis in mid to late winter.
1. FZ 32-45 F Freezing weather germinating, best sown in fall. Seeds germinate on warmer winter days over the winter.
2. CW 45-60 F Cold weather germinating, best sown in fall. Seeds germinate near the end of winter as the ground begins to thaw out and days start to warm up more.
3. WM 60-75F Cool to warm weather germinating. Seeds can also be sown in fall but the seedlings can be lost if it gets too cold during the winter, therefore late winter sowing is recommended.
4. HW 75+ F Warm to hot weather germinating. Best sown in late spring to early summer. These seeds need persistent heat to germinate.
Fall 2024 Seed List: More sold out's now back in stock.
- All prices include free USPS 1st Class or Priority Mail shipping.
- USA orders only.
- Pop up shopping cart. If you close the window by accident, click on another buy button to reopen, then readjust quantity.
> = Denotes new list items since last major update.
$12 minimum on seed orders. Thank you.
Mentzelia torreyi var. acerosa "Snake River Blazing Star", 6"H x 10"W, Owyhee Co., ID, 3400 feet
Description: Southern Idaho endemic with low mounds of rough sandpaper leaves from a taproot. Small orangey flowers.
Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Primarily spring, however plants are opportunistic and can flower freely with supplementary watering.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window, Two pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00
Datura wrightii "Moonflower", 36"H x 48"W, Lincoln Co., NV, 3000 feet
Description: Large herbaceous mounds of leaves from a tuberous root stock. Large nocturnal flowers up to 5 inches in diameter pop open in late evening.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Flowering freely beginning in mid to late spring.
Soil Mix: Well draining, sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Two pictures.
Description: Medium to low woody shrubs with sparkling succulent like leaves. New growth hardens and modifies into woody spikes. Flowers inconspicuous and aligned along new growth stems, primarily wind pollinated.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun. Plants thrive in arid, sunbaked rocky slopes.
Flowering Time: Spring to early summer.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining, rocky, sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window. Three pictures.
Description: Low herbaceous plants with intensely mint scented leaves. Flowers white. These high elevation plants tend to go dormant at low elevation during the heat of summer and resprout the following spring.
Cold Hardiness: Z4a-7a,
Sun Exposure: Full to part. Afternoon filtered shade is recommended at elevations below 4000 feet.
Flowering Time: Early to late spring.
Soil Mix: Gently sloped sandy loam.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo galley link, click on thumbnail. This will open in a new window. 5 pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00.
Sold out. Next availability expected summer 2025.
> Hedeoma drummondii, "False Pennyroyal", 10"H x 10"W, Lincoln Co., NV, 5800 feet
Description: Low herbaceous mini shrubs from a small root crown. Tiny pink flowers in profusion line the stems. Leaves mint scented.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Primarily spring, however plants can flower all season with supplementary watering.
Soil Mix: Sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. Two pictures.
1 offer: 100 seeds seeds for $4.00
> Erigeron aphanactis "Great Basin Rayless Fleabane", 3"H x 4"W, Owyhee County, ID, 4200 feet
Description: Low, compact tuffs of hairy leaves. Mostly rayless flowers but many plants in this population with short rays.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full to part sun. Most plants in habitat occur in between other, taller vegetation.
Flowering Time: Early spring to early summer.
Soil Mix: Sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. Four pictures.
1 offer: 100 seeds for $4.00
> Astragalus beckwithii var. weiserensis "Beckwith's Milk-Vetch", 6"H x 15"W, Malheur Co., OR, 2700 feet
Description: Large sprawling plants from a woody taproot. This population with richly colored yellow pea flowers.
Cold Hardiness: Z5a-8a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Early to mid spring.
Soil Mix: Sharp draining sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = FZ (32-45 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. Three pictures.
1 offer, 100 seeds for $4.00
> Acamptopappus shockleyi "Shockley's Goldenhead", 15"H x 24"W, Lincoln Co., NV 4900 feet
Description: Low woody shrubs with dense, angular branching. Leaves tiny and readily drought or winter deciduous. Small rayed yellow flowers.
Cold Hardiness: Z6a-9a
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Flowering Time: Spring
Soil Mix: Sandy loam with a bit of gravel.
Germination Code = CW (45-60 F, as daytime highs)
Flickr photo gallery link, click on thumbnail. This will open a new window, two pictures.
