Results from an Anchorage, Alaska garden (Gail's Garden Mind Meld)
This page lists everything I've written down about the plants I've grown from seed in my Anchorage garden. Most of these are started indoors under flourescent lights. I do not pamper plants so if it worked for me it's likely to work for you. To see my specific recommendations, click this link: Garden Tips
On This Page: Flowers   Herbs   Vegetables      Links to other pages

Flowers
Common name Variety Latinname Company Results Garden year
    Incarvillea mairei Chilterns None survived. 1998
ageratum White Bouquet Ageratum houstonianum Johnnys I did not order these. Dull and boring white flowers, slow to flower. 1998
amaryllis Original bulb from Bell's Nursery Amaryllis from living room   1995
aster volunteers (?) Aster wild   1995
begonia nonstop Begonia Burpee Excellent, blooms 1st year. 1995
bergenia red start Bergenia Thompson & Morgan Came up, did not bloom. 1995
black-eyed susan   Rudbeckia hirta Seeds Trust OK but plain 1994
black-eyed susan Indian Summer Rudbeckia hirta Johnnys Reluctant grower this year. 1998
black-eyed susan vine Susie mix Thunbergia alata Johnnys Good germination, started too early, got big indoors. Wind damage. Needed sunny protected spot. Beautiful flowers like watercolor painting but leaves ugly with wind damage. 1998
campanula   Campanula carpatica Burpee Only a few inches high the 1st year. No bloom. 1995
campanula macracantha Campanula latifolia Chilterns None survived. 1998
campanula var dahurica Campanula glomerata Chilterns Fair germination, nothing first year. 1998
campanula volunteers (?) Campanula wild   1995
campanula volunteers (?) Campanula wild   1994
canterbury bells   Campanula medium Burpee Only a few inches high the 1st year. No bloom. 1995
celosia century mixed Celosia Burpee Terrible. 2" high stub. No bloom. 1995
cleome rose queen   Pinetree Garden Died 1994
columbine volunteers (?)   wild   1994
columbine volunteers (?)   wild   1995
cut flower mix children's   Ed Hume Fun to watch, but frustrating because I didn't know what the plants were. 1998
dahlia   Dahlia   Poor. Although started inside from tuber in March, bloomed very late and poorly. 1998
daisy gloriosa   Burpee Excellent 1994
dianthus   Dianthus serotinus Chilterns Fair germination, nothing the first year. 1998
elecampane   Elecampane Nichols Garden Doing ok, but not thriving. Got to about 6" high. 1995
feverfew white wonder Chrysanthemum parthenium Shepherds Excellent germination and bloom. Weedy wild-type plant but attractive white double blooms, bushy plants. 1998
feverfew chrysanthemum feverfew Chrysanthemum Nichols Garden Excellent. Blue ribbon at State Fair. 1995
gazania talent mixed Gazania Thompson & Morgan Strange attractive grey foliage. Bloomed late. 1995
gloriosa daisy   Rudbeckia Burpee Glorious, excellent cut flower. 1995
gloriosa daisy Rustic colors Rudbeckia hirta Johnnys Reluctant grower this year. 1998
gloriosa daisy mixed   Rudbeckia Burpee Glorious, excellent cut flower. 1995
heliotrope marine Heliotrope Shepherd's Nice but very late. No smell. 1995
hollyhock antwerp or fig-leaved mix Althaea ficifolia Chilterns Good germination, just leaves the first year. 1998
hollyhock Fordhook Giants   Burpee Spectacular, late. Needs support. 1995
hollyhock Fordhook Giants   Burpee Excellent, needs sun 1994
hollyhock powder puff mixed colors Althea Thompson & Morgan   1994
hollyhock summer carnival Alcea rosa Pinetree Garden Seed OK 1994
hollyhock zebrina   Burpee Excellent. Blooms 1st year, perennial, hardy 1995
hollyhock zebrina   Burpee Excellent 1994
hollyhocks, perennial alcea rosa summer carnival   Pinetree Garden Nice. 1995
hollyhocks, perennial althea powder puff mixed colors   Thompson & Morgan Nice. 1995
hosta   Hosta sieboldiana Thompson & Morgan Didn't come up. 1995
hyacinth bean   Dolichos lablab Pinetree Garden Seed rotted before sprouting. 1995
impatiens african queen Impatiens Burpee Did not grow. 1995
impatiens dwarf special mixed colors Impatiens Lake Valley seed Excellent 1994
impatiens rosette mixed Impatiens Burpee ok 1995
impatiens sparkles pink Impatiens Burpee Slow but nice. 1995
impatiens sparkles rose Impatiens Burpee Slow but nice. 1995
impatiens super elfin scarlet Impatiens Burpee Nice. 1995
iris wild type volunteers   wild   1994
jacobs ladder     from yard   1995
jacobs ladder volunteers (?)   from yard   1994
joe pye weed   Eupatorium purpureum Nichols Garden Did not germinate. 1995
johnny jump up   Viola Denali ok 1995
johnny jump up   Vola Denali   1995
lavender lavender lady Lavendula Burpee Poor 1994
lavender lavender lady (seed-n-start) Lavendula Burpee Poor 1994
ligularia   Ligularia przewalskii Chilterns Poor germination, beautiful leaves, no flowers first year. 1998
lions ear staircase Leonotis Chilterns Poor. Good germination, but floppy plants, subject to leaf borers and no flowers. 1998
lobelia riviera blue splash Lobelia Burpee Excellent. 1995
lupine seed gathered near Portage   wild   1994
maiden pink   Diantus deltoides Denali Did nothing, but first year of perennial from seed so didn't expect much. 1998
maltese cross   Lychnis Denali Small, disappointing in 1st year. Better 2nd? 1995
marigold field Calendula arvensis Chilterns Excellent. Good germination, profuse early flowers. A bit thin and weedy, but interesting smell and the petals taste good. 1998
marigold lemon gem   Shepherds Garden Excellent 1994
marigold lemon gem   Shepherds Garden Nice. 1995
marigold lemon gem Tagetes signata Shepherd's Good reliable bloomer. 1998
marigold lemon gem   Cooks Garden Reliable good bloomer. 1998
marigold petite yellow   America's Choice OK 1998
marigold signet gem mixed   Burpee Nice. 1995
monkey flower   Mimulus guttatus Chilterns Good germination, bright yellow flowers, slow to bloom. 1998
monkey flower   Mimulus luteus Pinetree Garden Excellent. Blue ribbon at State fair. 1995
morning glory dwarf Convolvulus tricolor Johnnys Nice bloomer but late this year. 1998
morning glory early call   Lilly Miller   1994
mullein arctic summer Verbascum bombyciferum Nichols Garden Didn't do much 1st year. No bloom. 1995
mustard joi choi f1   Territorial Early, but the slugs preferred this to anything. 1995
mustard joi choi hybrid   Territorial Seed Co Good, needs space 1994
nasturtium alaska mixed Nasturtium Burpee Early. Nice. Looks weird to eat. 1995
nasturtium dwarf cherry rose Nasturtium Ed Hume Poor. Was not really dwarf, took over planter boxes with weedy growth and faded-looking blooms. 1998
nasturtium tall climbing mix Nasturtium Denali Grew in pots. Disappointingly slow, but nice once it started blooming. 1998
nasturtium tall trailing Nasturtium Lake Valley Good 1994
nigella miss jekyll Nigella Thompson & Morgan Disappointing, late. 1995
orange aster volunteers (?)   wild   1994
Pai-ho, Chinese edible white lily   Lilium brownii Oregon Exotics   1995
pasque flower eastern Pulsatilla patens Chilterns Poor germination, only one plant growing, no flowers. 1998
phlox, annual   Phlox drummondii Pinetree Garden Poor, small, plain 1994
poppy   Papaver bracteatum Thompson & Morgan Didn't do anything. 1995
poppy pepperbox breadseed poppy   Shepherd's Spectacular huge blooms. Needs lots of sun. 1995
portulaca sundial peppermint Portulaca Park Nothing. 1995
primrose   Primula vulgaris Chilterns Poor germination, one survived, nothing the first year. 1998
primrose   Primula alpicola Chilterns Fair germination, tiny plants, just leaves the first year. 1998
primrose veris choice mixture   Ed Hume Very good. Slugs ate blooms. 1995
rose mallow   Lavatera trimestris   Slow. 1998
rose mallow   Lavatera trimestris Seeds Trust OK. 1995
rose mallow   Lavatera trimestris Seeds Trust Good 1994
siberian aster volunteers (?) Aster wild   1994
siberian purslane   Montia siberica Chilterns Excellent germination and growth, flowers understated but pretty shiny heart-shaped leaves. 1998
silene blue angel Silene Thompson & Morgan Poor, slow, lackluster. 1998
silene blue angel   Thompson & Morgan Nice, somewhat late. Understated. 1995
speedwell   Veronica spicata Nichols Garden Did nothing 1995
speedwell sightseeing mix Veronica spicata Johnnys Just small plants the first year. 1998
sunflower     Territorial OK. Not big, but it was a cool summer. Headed up 1995
sunflower maximilian Helianthus maximilianii Shepherds Pretty, but late flowering even in sunny spot. Interesting tall plant with narrow leaf shape even without bloom. 1998
sunflower sunseed f1 Helianthus annuus 'ha' Territorial Seed Co Fair 1994
sunflower velvet queen Helianthus debilis Cooks Garden Beautiful but late flowering even in sunny spot. 1998
swan river daisy blue star Brachycome iberica Thompson & Morgan Beautiful once it started blooming in late July. 1995
sweet cicely   Myrrhis odorata Chilterns Only one germinated, tiny plant. 1998
sweet pea early mammoth   Denali Excellent. 1998
sweet pea mammoth choice   Territorial   1995
sweet pea perennial   Thompson and Morgan Nice pink, long lasting blooms. Takes 2 years. 1995
sweet pea royal family   Territorial   1995
sweet pea royal family mixture   Ed Hume   1995
sweet pea salmon-cream elegance early   Shepherd's Good. Bloomed first of all sweet peas. 1995
sweet pea supersnoop mix   Denali Excellent 1994
sweet pea supersnoop mix   Denali   1995
sweet pea supersnoop mix, early blooms   Bentley Excellent 1994
sweet pea, perennial choice mix Lathyrus latifolius Lake Valley seed Poor, late, small 1994
sweet peas royal family mixture   Ed Hume Excellent 1994
sweet william auricula eyed mixed colors   Thompson & Morgan No blooms in 94 1994
thalictrum   Thalictrum aquilegiifolium hybridum Chilterns Poor germination. Plants 2" high July 25. 1998
wallflower wild form Cheiranthus cheiri Chilterns Good germination, no flowers. 1998
yarrow cerise queen Achillea milleflium Pinetree Garden Seed Unknown 1994
yarrow cerise queen Achillea milleflium Pinetree Garden Excellent, good blooms, lots of color. 1995
yarrow cerise queen improved Achillea Territorial Excellent, good blooms, lots of color. 1995
yarrow summer pastels Achillea Burpee Excellent 1994
yarrow summer pastels Achillea Burpee Excellent, good blooms, lots of color. 1995
yarrow the pearl Achillea Burpee Very nice. Needs lots of sun. Nice cut flower. 1995

Herbs
angelica   Angelica archangelica Territorial Nice large plants in the shade. No bloom. 1995
angelica Tu-huo Angelica pubescens Oregon Exotics Seed did not get here in time. 1995
anise hyssop   Hyssop from yard   1994
basil Finissimo verde a palla Ocimum basilicum minimum Territorial Cute tiny plants with excellent flavor. Survived outside but missed Italy. 1998
borage   Borage officinalis Shepherd's Vounteered profusely. 1995
borage   Borage officinalis High Altitude Garden Excellent 1994
cat mint lemon scented   Thompson and Morgan Very slow. 1995
catnip     Denali Seeds Cats ate it 1994
chamomile roman Chamomile Burpee Very nice smell. Slow to bloom but who cares. 1995
chives     from yard Turned brown - dry 1994
feverfew   Chrysanthemum parthenium Nichols OK 1998
giant hyssop   Hyssop Burpee Pretty. Seeds mixed with some other mint. 1995
lemon balm   Melissa officinalis Territorial Large plant but didn't know what to do with it. 1998
lemon bergamot   Monarda didyma Cooks Garden Poor germination, reluctant grower, no flowers. 1998
lovage   Lovage from yard   1994
roman chamomile   Chamaemelum nobilis Burpee Did not grow. 1998
sorrel garden sorrel Rumex Burpee Excellent 1994
skullcap baikal Scutellaria baicalensis Johnnys Did not germinate. 1998

Vegetables
broccoli spring raab Crucifer Cooks Garden Excellent, eat leaves and small buds. No large buds but copious eats for the space. 1998
broccoli super dome Broccoli Pinetree Garden Excellent. 1995
carrot crusader Daucus carota Shepherds Excellent. Best carrots ever. 1998
carrot king midas   Shepherd's No good. Root maggot? 1995
carrot little finger   Ed Hume Excellent 1994
carrot Nelson F1 Daucus carota Johnnys Excellent. Best carrots ever. 1998
carrot sweetness   Nichols Garden No good. Root maggot? 1995
celery utah 52-70   Pinetree Garden Excellent. 1995
celery utah 52-70   Pinetree Garden Seed Excellent 1994
celery Zwosche krul   Chilterns Excellent germination and growth. Leaves like parsley, stems like celery. 1998
chard bright lights   Shepherds Excellent. Most production ever of a chard, beautiful colors. 1998
collards     Abundant Life Good yield and flavor. Early, good yield. 1995
collards     Abundant Life Excellent. Big producer of excellent flavored greens for cooking. Even good after a frost. 1998
corn salad verte de cambrai   High Altitude Garden No growth 1994
cucumber zambo grande Cucurbita ficifolia Oregon Exotics Seed did not get here in time. 1995
fava bean aquadulce   Pinetree Did not germinate. 1998
kohlrabi grand duke Kohlrabi Burpee Pretty but slow. 1995
kohlrabi rapid Kohlrabi Territorial Excellent. Early, good flavor. 1995
lettuce cutting mix   Cooks Garden Grew in pots. Good harvest for a week, then succumbed to wilt. 1998
melon alaska   Pinetree Garden Did not survive transplant. I think it needs heat 1995
new zealand spinach     Pinetree Garden Poor 1994
okra annie oakley f1   Territorial Seed Co Died 1994
peas sugar snap   Denali Excellent 1994
peas sugar snap   Denali Excellent. 1995
pepper Ethnic Romanian Capsicum Johnnys Grows well in a pot. Small production of small peppers but they did mature outside. 1998
pepper hungarian banana Capsicum annuum Shepherds Grows well in a pot. Small production of small peppers but they did mature outside. 1998
potato scab resist   Me Good production, good quality this year. Seed from last year's potatoes. 1998
purslane goldgelber   Pinetree Garden Did not come up when seeded directly. 1995
radish easter egg   Pinetree Garden Fun. Bolted before I ate much of it, but pretty. 1995
radish easter egg   Pinetree Easy to grow and the multi colors are fun. 1998
radish, oriental little tokyo round f1   Territorial Seed Co Too peppery, borers 1994
runner bean scarlet   Pinetree Too slow, did not bloom until just before frost. 1998
runner beans painted lady Phaseolus coccineus Shepherds Too slow, flowered just before frost. 1998
runner beans painted lady Phaseolus coccineus Shepherds Too slow, did not bloom until just before frost. 1998
snap pea sugar ann   Denali Excellent. Won blue ribbon at State Fair. 1998
snow pea dwarf grey sugar   Denali Excellent. 1998
snow pea oriental sugar pod   Denali Excellent. 1998
spinach new zealand   Pinetree Garden Didn't grow. 1995
squash summer early prolific straightneck   Burpee Slow. 1995
squash trombocino   Cooks Garden Intriguing vining squash, too late for much production. 1998
tomatillo aunt molly's   Territorial Seed Co Died 1994
tomatillo indian strain   Territorial Seed Co Poor 1994
tomato German Heirloom Lycopersicum esculentum Johnnys Very large heathy plant, large fruits but poor texture and poor flavor. 1998
tomato northern delight Lycopersicum esculentum Territorial Large healthy plant, many fruit but fruit too acidic for my taste. 1998
tomato northern exposure   Burpee Poor 1994
tomato oregon spring   High Altitude Garden Usually good but not this year. 1995
tomato oregon spring   High Altitude Garden Good 1994
tomato peasant, paste tomato   Seeds Trust Didn't ripen at all 1994
tomato rose quartz Lycopersicum lycopersicum Shepherds Bush plants, very late to flower. Susceptible to cold early in year. Few small purplish fruits, but delicious. 1998
tomato stupice Lycopersicum esculentum Territorial Ugly plant but the best producer, good flavor. 1998
tomato stupice   Seeds Trust Excellent. Best producer. 1995
tomato stupice   Territorial Seed Co Excellent. Best producer. 1995
tomato stupice   Territorial Excellent. Best producer. 1995
tomato stupice   Territorial Seed Co Excellent 1994
tomato stupice   Seeds Trust Excellent 1994
tomato sun gold f1   Territorial Excellent flavor. Did best in pots on deck. 1995
tomato super tasty   Burpee Excellent, large delicious fruit but few fruit. 1995
tomato taxi   Territorial Good but not this year - needed more sun? 1995
tomato taxi   Territorial Seed Co Good but not this year - needed more sun? 1995
tomato taxi   Territorial Seed Co Fair 1994
tomato tumbler hybrid   Burpee OK in pots. 1995
torenia clown mixed Torenia Burpee Nothing. 1995
tyfon tyfon greens (feed an army)   Nichols Garden Fed an army of slugs. Good flavor. Slow. 1995
welsh onion onion seed from yard   Washburn Farms   1994
welsh onion onion seed from yard   Washburn Farms Nice. 1995
zambo grande       This was 3-year-old seed, acted like Jack in the Beanstalk but no fruit. Fun just to watch. 1998
zucchini 1406 hybrid   Cooks Garden Good producer. 1998
zucchini black jack   Lily Miller Shaded out by other plants. Needs full sun. 1998
zucchini sweet   Burpee Slow. 1995
zucchini squash blackjack   Denali Poor, few fruits 1994

GAIL HOME GARDEN TIPS JOHN ADAMS HS
Email Gail Heineman: garden guru wannabe
Thanks to The Free Graphics Store at www.ausmall.com.au
This page last updated January 23, 1999