Mostly of interest to returning customers, this page shows only the new collections acquired since the publication of the 2011 ALPLAINS seed catalog.

Neolloydia johnsonii (Cactaceae) (12x10,Z7,P,GL,3:6w) ......................................... 40 seeds / $4.00 50754.21 (W) Clark Co., NV, 1900ft, 580m. Large, iridescent-violet to pink blossoms on robust barrels. On limestone hills. Photo

Opuntia pulchella (Cactaceae) (14x25,Z5,P,C,2) ...................................................... 20 seeds / $5.00 70984.21 (W) Washoe Co., NV, 4020ft, 1226m. Multiple cylindrical stems with dagger-like, white centrals, bearing apical pink to magenta flowers. On outwashes of white granite screes.

Penstemon acaulis (Scrophulariaceae) (1x8,Z3,P,C,4:12w) ....................................... 20 seeds / $5.00 01222.11 (W) Sweetwater Co., WY, 7100ft, 2165m. Densely-tufted mats and masses of stemless blue flowers. Choice species endemic to barren hills near the Wyoming-Utah border. Photo

Penstemon confusus (26x12,Z5,P,L,4:12w) ............................................................ 100 seeds / $4.00 12802.11 (W) Iron Co., UT, 6500ft, 1982m. An unimaginative name for such a colorful Pent. Rather like a miniature version of P. utahensis with bright lilac or violet to magenta, white-throated flowers. Found under pinyons in decomposed granite gravel soil. Photo

Penstemon flowersii (12x8,Z5,P,L,3:12w) ............................................................... 100 seeds / $3.50 30561.41 (W) Duchesne Co., UT, 5250ft, 1600m. Leaves like P. carnosus but with sugar-pink flowers.

Penstemon harbourii (Scrophulariaceae) (5x16,Z3,P,RL,2) ....................................... 75 seeds / $4.00 35215.11 (W) Summit Co., CO, 12100ft, 3688m. Loose mats of green, leathery foliage are covered with short racemes of attractive powder-blue flowers in summer. On S-facing alpine screes. Photo

Penstemon mensarum (Scrophulariaceae) (50x20,Z4,P,RL,3:8w) ............................. 100 seeds / $3.50 56398.21 (W) Mesa Co., CO, 10300ft, 3140m. Rich, royal, cobalt blue flowers on multiple racemes.

Penstemon petiolatus (Scrophulariaceae) (9x14,Z7,P,L,2) ........................................ 60 seeds / $5.00 70418.11 (W) Washington Co., UT, 3700ft, 1125m. Perhaps the most brilliantly-colored Pent with rose-magenta flowers on handsome, serrated, glaucous blue foliage. Sprouts from limestone cliffs. Photo

Penstemon speciosus (30x24,Z4,P,RL,3:12w) ........................................................ 100 seeds / $4.00 76719.21 (W) Lander Co., NV, 8600ft, 2622m. Dwarf plants compared to the valley forms with several secund inflorescences of large bright blue flowers shading to lilac-violet on the lips and sides. Photo

Penstemon tiehmii (Scrophulariaceae) (12x12,Z4,P,L,3:12w) ..................................... 60 seeds / $6.00 78437.11 (W) Lander Co., NV, 8600ft, 2622m. Probably new to cultivation is this dwarf, subalpine penstemon with gray-green leaves lying flat on the ground bearing a thyrse of small violet flowers. Growing on south-facing cliffs and screes of dense volcanic rock.

Penstemon yampaensis (Scrophulariaceae) (2x10,Z4,P,L,4:12w) ............................... 20 seeds / $5.00 96196.81 (W) Moffat Co., CO, 6150ft, 1875m. Tufts of linear leaves produce large, sessile, heavenly blue flowers, so numerous as to totally obscure the foliage. Challenging. Photo

Phlox adsurgens (Polemoniaceae) (7x16,Z5,P,L,4:12w) ............................................. 10 seeds / $6.00 15576.66 (W) Josephine Co., OR, 5500ft, 1677m. This loosely-mat-forming perennial with ovate leaves spreads slowly stoloniferously and sprouts numerous scapes terminating in open clusters of fragrant, broad-petalled pale- to deep-pink flowers, often with dark markings in the center.

Phlox austromontana v. jonesii (10x24,Z6,P,C,3:8w) ............................................. 12 seeds / $6.00 10168.11 (W) Washington Co., UT, 4200ft, 1280m. A more colorful and robust form of an otherwise fairly widespread species, restricted to SW Utah. Myriad bright pink, almost red, flowers adorn prickly plants covered with long awl-shaped leaves. Growing on S- and W-facing basalt slopes. Photo

Phlox griseola (Polemoniaceae) (3x20,Z5,P,C,4:12w) ............................................... 10 seeds / $7.00 32772.11 (W) Iron Co., UT, 6500ft, 1982m. Superb gray-green, tight, bumpy-surfaced cushions studded with white to pale pink fragrant flowers. Photo

Physoplexis comosa (Campanulaceae) (6x9,Z4,P,GL,1) ............................................. 60 seeds / $4.00 12796.11 Ex Germany. Sessile, inflated flowers in umbels colored dark purple-blue near the corolla tips shading to lilac or bluish below. GA3 needed for timely germination. Photo

Polemonium foliosissimum v. alpinum (Polemoniaceae) (50x24,Z3,P,L,3:8w) ................ 100 seeds / $3.50 30794.11 (W) Cache Co., UT, 8600ft, 2622m. (= P. albiflorum.) Several upright stems from a central rootstalk bear large capitate flower clusters of snow white.

Polemonium viscosum (dwarf form) (Polemoniaceae) (10x16,Z3,P,L,3:6w) ..... ...... 80 seeds / $3.50 90616.61 (W) Park Co., WY, 10450ft, 3186m. An apparent dwarf form here but may be only because of the exceptionally cold and windy conditions on this N-facing slope in the Beartooth Mtns.

Primula auricula (Primulaceae) (12x14,Z5,P,L,3:8w) .................................................. 100 seeds / $3.50 08759.00 Fleshy obovate leaves, often farinose, bearing clusters of deeply-notched, white-eyed, yellow flowers on short scapes. One of the easiest and most rewarding to grow.

Primula sieboldii (15x15,Z5,P,L,3:8w) ........................................................................ 70 seeds / $3.50 76435.00 The well-known Japanese Primula in a mix of colors over fringed foliage.

Primula specuicola (8x8,Z5,P,L,3:5w) ......................................................................... 100 seeds / $4.00 76718.31 (W) Grand Co., UT, 4500ft, 1372m. The rosettes of spatulate, sparsely-toothed leaves are covered with a white farina and bear delicate umbels of lavender-purple fls with a large white eye.

Pteropyrum olivieri (Polygonaceae) (60x120,Z5,P,L,3:8w) ........................................ 30 seeds / $4.00 65463.00 Small shrubs with fascicled, oblong leaves and pale pink flowers, followed by deep rosy-pink, winged fruit. Native to Pakistan and Turkey.

Raillardella argentea (Asteraceae) (6x15,Z5,P,L,3:6w) ............................................. 16 seeds / $4.00 22432.11 (W) Jackson Co., OR, 7500ft, 2286m. Dense mats of acuminate leaves, covered with long silky, silvery hairs. On N-facing volcanic screes. Photo

Ranunculus andersonii (Ranunculaceae) (16x12,Z5,P,RGL,3:12w) ............................. 50 seeds / $5.00 20815.61 (W) Tooele Co., UT, 4750ft, 1448m. Basal tufts of glaucous, dissected leaves with deep pink to red cup-flowers, the first to bloom in the spring, often pushing right through the snowbanks. Rubbing the seed will reveal the tiny, cone-shaped seed inside the papery achenes. This xeric population is more tolerant of the summer heat compared to the Idaho alpine form. On N-facing slopes of rocky loam. Photo

Salicornia utahensis (Chenopodiaceae) (15x40,Z5,P,L,2) ......................................... 100 seeds / $3.50 87819.71 (W) Utah Co., UT, 4520ft, 1378m. Bizarre succulent with knobby, jointed branching stems turning reddish with frosts. This halophyte dwells on alkaline mud flats which dry out late in summer. Three plants survived under ordinary soil conditions in Jeff Thompson's garden but they may do better by giving a good soak with weak saline every month while growing. Photo

Salvia dorrii v. dorrii (Lamiaceae) (35x35,Z5,P,L,1) ................................................. 40 seeds / $3.50 15834.31 (W) Washington Co., UT, 6600ft, 2012m. Silvery-green, fragrant rounded leaves packed onto these dense subshrubs support showy spikes of purplish-blue bracts and blue flowers. Photo

Salvia dorrii v. dorrii (18x30,Z4,P,L,1) ...................................................................... 20 seeds / $4.00 15834.81 (W) Inyo Co., CA, 10100ft, 3079m. Exceptionally hardy population here in the White Mtns growing on S-facing slopes of dolomite. Limited amounts of this dwarf, subalpine form.

Salvia eremostachya (Lamiaceae) (65x75,Z7,P,L,2) .................................................... 80 seeds / $4.00 27441.61 (W) Riverside Co., CA, 3600ft, 1100m. Rounded shrubs with narrow, resinous, rugose foliage. Lilac flowers surrounded by rosy-purplish bracts in small heads.

Salvia sonomensis (16x60,Z5,P,L,3:6w) ................................................................... 100 seeds / $3.50 76818.11 (W) Siskiyou Co., CA, 4200ft, 1280m. Mats of grayish-green, elliptical leaves, woolly underneath and puckered above, often spreading to several feet wide with age. Interrupted whorls along the numerous scapes bear blue-purple flowers with a prominent lower lip. Superb drought resistance.

Saxifraga chrysantha (Saxifragaceae) (4x9,Z3,P,L,3:6w) .............................................. 100 seeds / $3.50 12373.11 (W) El Paso Co., CO, 13500ft, 4116m. Tiny rubbery rosettes bear clear yellow flowers. Photo

Shepherdia rotundifolia (Eleagnaceae) (110x200,Z6,P,C,3:12w) ................................... 25 seeds / $5.00 74838.11 (W) Wayne Co., UT, 8400ft, 2561m. One of the most beautiful small shrubs in the world, hugging its sandy-red rocky habitat as if cast from molten pewter. The cupped round leaves and new stems are encased in silvery farina-meal so thick as to impart a three-dimensional textured appearance. Photo1   Photo2

Silene acaulis ssp. acaulescens (Caryophyllaceae) (2x24,Z3,P,L,2) ........................ 100 seeds / $3.50 01224.31 (W) Albany Co., WY, 10100ft, 3079m. Tight mats of fleshy green spike-like leaves are studded with small pink flowers.

Sisyrinchium douglasii (Iridaceae) (20x7,Z7,P,L,3:8w) ............................................... 40 seeds / $4.00 15699.21 (W) Siskiyou Co., CA, 2875ft, 876m. Satiny, bright reddish-violet flowers over grassy foliage very early in spring. Photo

Sphaeralcea coccinea (Malvaceae) (12x16,Z4,P,SL,3:6w) ......................................... 50 seeds / $3.50 12772.21 (W) Wayne Co., UT, 7000ft, 2134m. Dwarf plants with incised leaves spread rhizomatously. Very nice deep orange-flowering colony here. Photo

Stachys lavandulifolia (Lamiaceae) (14x24,Z4,P,C,3:6w) ............................................... 25 seeds / $4.00 54251.01 Mats of grooved, hairy, grayish-green leaves. The flower spikes consist of numerous woolly calyxes with spidery appendages, embedded in which are bright purple blossoms. Exquisite species from Turkey.

Synthyris pinnatifida v. pinnatifida (Scrophulariaceae) (8x10,Z3,P,L,3:8w) ................ 50 seeds / $3.50 70618.11 (W) Cache Co., UT, 9800ft, 2988m. Laciniated, ferny green leaves turn purple with the first frosts. The deep blue flower spikes appear early in the spring. On E-facing slopes of limestone.

Tagetes lemmonii (Asteraceae) (120x120,Z8,P,L,1) .................................................. 40 seeds / $3.00 54426.09 Drought-resistant, heat-tolerant aromatic, shrublets with vibrant yellow daisies.

Tonestus pygmaeus (Asteraceae) (4x10,Z3,P,L,3:6w) ................................................ 40 seeds / $3.50 70980.41 (W) Park Co., CO, 12000ft, 3658m. Caespitose plants of hairy, oblong leaves and yellow daisies on very short stems.

Townsendia grandiflora (Asteraceae) (5x14,Z5,B,C,1) ............................................... 40 seeds / $3.50 32773.11 (W) Jefferson Co., CO, 6500ft, 1982m. Large white flowers on flat rosettes which keep branching sideways all summer. Photo

Tradescantia occidentalis (Commelinaceae) (30x16,Z5,P,C,3:8w) ............................. 40 seeds / $3.50 78212.11 (W) Garfield Co., UT, 6000ft, 1829m. Surprising sight to see these pop out of the sand dunes displaying their dark blue to magenta flower clusters. Each flower lasts only a day but many more open the next day.

Trichosanthes kirilowii v. japonica (Cucurbitaceae) (600x200,Z8,P,C,2) ................ 10 seeds / $4.00 52644.19 (W) Nagoya, Japan, 15m. A fascinating monoecious vine with lobed leaves and large, white, fimbriated flowers, followed by yellow gourds.

Trillium rivale (Liliaceae) (6x12,Z6,P,GL,4:12w) ....................................................... 20 seeds / $6.00 74660.11 (W) Josephine Co., OR, 1300ft, 396m. The smallest Trillium with green, pale-veined leaves and white flowers, often spotted pink. Found infrequently in the deep duff and shade of conifers of the Illinois Valley. Photo

Tripterospermum japonicum (Gentianaceae) (100x20,Z6,P,L,4:8w) ............................ 50 seeds / $3.50 50240.00 (= Gentiana trinervis.) An odd climbing or trailing Gentian relative with ovate, 3-nerved leaves and profuse pendant bell flowers in pale blue-purple shades.

Triteleia peduncularis (Liliaceae) (16x20,Z7,P,L,3:8w) ............................................. 70 seeds / $3.50 70385.11 (W) Lake Co., CA, 2300ft, 701m. Huge umbels of long-pediceled white flowers striped dark violet on the outside. Interesting novelty. Photo

Valeriana columbiana (Valerianaceae) (16x16,Z4,P,L,3:8w) ...................................... 25 seeds / $4.00 12834.20 (W) Chelan Co., WA, 5700ft, 1738m. From mounds of deeply-lobed leaves emerge several stems bearing terminal clusters of creamy-white flowers. On N-facing basaltic screes. Photo

Viola beckwithii (Violaceae) (5x12,Z4,P,GL,3:8w) ...................................................... 20 seeds / $6.00 10393.21 (W) Harney Co., OR, 4600ft, 1402m. One of the fabulous "Sagebrush Violets." The side and bottom 3 petals are snow white with a yellow throat delicately pencilled deep violet. The smaller upper 2 petals are very deep lilac, paling slightly upwards. Each clump of sage-green, deeply-cut foliage produces a multitude of blossoms which eventually aestivates (goes dormant) by early summer. On vernally moist, gently sloping volcanic meadows. Photo

Viola hallii (6x10,Z6,P,GL,3:8w) .................................................................................. 18 seeds / $6.00 35234.71 (W) Mendocino Co., CA, 6400ft, 1951m. Similar to V. beckwithii but with darker upper petals of violet and creamy lower ones. Loosely slashed, glaucous foliage. Summer dormant. Photo

Xylorhiza orcuttii (Asteraceae) (60x120,Z9,P,L,1) ...................................................... 40 seeds / $4.00 86412.31 (W) Imperial Co., CA, 0ft. Larger, bushier shrubs compared to Xylorhiza venusta with spiny leaves and large lavender flowers. Photo