Dear Growing Friends:

Welcome to our 18th annual catalog!  During the summer of 2007, drought intensified west of the Continental Divide and north of the 45th parallel (northern Wyoming). However, thanks to a number of blizzards which raked across the Plains States, the wildflower displays from here to Texas were the most spectacular they have been in years. In Texas and Oklahoma I saw numerous Phlox spp., the deep rose-pink Penstemon triflorus, Penstemon baccharifolius, Yucca spp. blooming by the millions and Penstemon cobaea with huge white, lavender-tinted flowers, the largest in the genus. Summer monsoon rains returned to the desert southwest and up into Wyoming allowing for some late collections  in those areas, including Oxytropis besseyi v. ventosa and Draba ventosa (Wyoming), Ipomopsis macombii and Agastache breviflora (Arizona), Ungnadia speciosa, Heuchera pulchella, the wonderful Iliamna grandiflora and at long last, Phlox nana (New Mexico). Colorado contributed many collections also, including Penstemon ambiguus (hardiest population known), Heuchera hallii, Draba spp., Mertensia alpina, Aquilegia saximontana and the new Trifolium brandegei. Areas on the Colorado Plateau did surprisingly well, making possible collections of the xeric form of Asclepias tuberosa, Castilleja scabrida, and a new miniature, Cryptantha humilis v. nana. Utah provided a few species which I have not collected for many years, including Gilia stenothyrsa, Penstemon abietinus and Yucca nana. The Snowy Range Mountains of southern Wyoming abounded with floristic treasures such as the blue-flowered Phlox pulvinata, Erigeron pinnatisectus, Trollius albiflorus and Eritrichium aretioides. Unfortunately, a monsoon rainstorm the day before I collected there in early August washed away most of the Eritrichium seed; however, I was able to collect from a Colorado population later in the month. The most glorious spectacle of all was Eustoma grandiflorum blooming by the thousands from late July into September in the Arkansas Valley of Colorado. These vivid lavender-blue beauties deserve a place in every garden. Garden collections of Scrophularia macrantha, Petunia integrifolia, Pelargonium enlicherianum and Stachys lavandulifolia round out this years’ offerings.

We continue to offer seed from the extensive cactus collections of Jeff Thompson who has been studying and collecting North American cacti and Yucca spp. for three decades.

We sincerely thank all of you who have continued to support and encourage us over the years. and we look forward to many more years of growing service.

-- Alan D. Bradshaw, Proprietor

NOTE:

Over 40 new collections have been added since the main listings for 2008 were posted Dec. 16, 2007.

We have changed our format slightly from last year. Instead of posting new items to a separate page, we are now simply listing all seed collections that are available in the twelve main catalog pages regardless of when a collection is received. The old "New Items" page has been replaced by an "Archives" page which lists sold out items.  If an item is in the main twelve "Seed Catalog" pages, it IS AVAILABLE. If an item is on the "Archives" page, it is NOT AVAILABLE. When a collection sells out, it will be moved to the "Archives" page.

The printed 2008 Catalog is now available!  You may request a free copy (includes over 40 color photos) by writing or faxing us.

Our Photo Gallery continues to grow. We will be uploading many more photos in the weeks and months to come. Stay tuned and watch our website grow!

To Contact Us:

Fax:       303-621-2864

E-mail:   alandean7@msn.com

This entire website is protected under copyright law and no part may be reproduced by any means without written permission of ALPLAINS.

Last Update:   April 20, 2008