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Heirloom & Unusual Annuals
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Welcome to Florabunda Seeds
Back by Popular Demand: We've brought Stuart's Desert Pea back for our 2012 collection. 
Florabunda Seeds is a company dedicated to preserving old species
of flowers, many of which are the parents of today's modern hybrids. These
are the flowers of the English cottage gardens of the past, often having
been salvaged from abbeys and monasteries in England in the middle ages.
Others were brought back to Britain by plantsmen who were sent out on
plant-hunting expeditions around the world. What is a cottage garden?Cottage gardens began as the small parcels of land allotted to peasants to grow plants for their own use. Early cottage gardens were survival-oriented, as were the gardens of settlers in North America. They contained masses of vegetables, medicinal herbs, fruits and useful flowers. Over the centuries the cottage garden continued, oblivious to current trends, although flowers played an increasingly prominent role. It became a role model for some of the more radical garden designers of the nineteenth century who adopted its unpretentious style of haphazard profusion, of accidental splendour. They chose simple abundance over some of the more rigid designs that were popular at that time. Welcome to the 2012 CatalogueAt our location in southern Ontario we had a memorable summer for growing. While most years we can stop mowing the grass in August the timely rains kept everything growing at an alarming rate throughout the late summer and fall. Flowers have remained in bloom until early November and, as I look out in late November, a few roses remain stubbornly colourful in spite of the frost. Among the list of new additions is a plant we happily bring back after a few years absence – Stuart's Pea. We have reconnected with our seed source in Australia and are delighted to add it to our 2012 list.
Our website continues to generate more seed orders. To make seed purchases easier online we now offer PAYPAL. Those of you familiar with this payment system can attest to its simplicity and security.We encourage you to use online ordering as it helps us to move slowly from print to electronic media and ultimately save our environment while making ordering more convenient. For those of you who prefer a printed catalogue and wish to remain on our mailing list, simply tell us of your preference by phone, fax or emailing us at contact@florabundaseeds.com. This year we will be at the following shows and look forward to seeing you:
Things you should know about We are a family owned business. Although we are based in Ontario, our seeds go to many countries and so we have chosen varieties which will thrive in a wide diversity of climates. Our seeds are packaged by seed count and the amount in each package is generous. Sowing instructions and hints are found on the back of or inside the package. We package varieties with small seeds in glassine envelopes that are placed inside the larger paper seed envelope. Annuals, Biennials and Perennials Annuals are plants which complete their life cycle, flowering and going to seed in their first year. They have the longest bloom season. Biennials grow strong plants in their first season which bloom in their second season and self-seed, then die providing their own replacements for the next year. They are self perpetuating. Perennials' leaves die back in winter and renew growth each spring. Some bloom first year from seed and others start in their second year. They often live for decades. Bloom time is generally shorter. We want you to have a successful and enjoyable experience with the seed
we supply. Suggestions, photos, stories and seed samples are welcome.
(We will exchange seeds with you if you send us some!) "The love of gardening is "Earth laughs in flowers" "The smell of violets, hidden in the green IS A SPECIAL EVENT IN YOUR FUTURE?Florabunda Seeds can supply you with seed packets and custom labels to use as favours. This Thoughtful gift will bloom yearly and your guests will have an annual reminder of the special event. Please call or email us to discuss your event and we'll be happy to advise you on appropriate seeds, custom packaging and costs. ATTENTION FUND-RAISERSIf you're rallying the troops in a fund raising drive then put Florabunda Seeds on your team. Seeds have proven to be a popular sales item in fund-raising drives for such organizations as: choirs, schools, churches, horticultural societies, scouting groups, clubs and associations. Because of their low price point, environmentally friendly nature, low shipping costs and ease of storage they invariably prove to be overwhelming favourites of fund-raisers everywhere. Please call or email us to discuss your fundraiser and we'll be happy to advise you on appropriate seeds, custom packaging and costs. GIFT CERTIFICATESGifts that Grow are marvelous ideas for gardeners and enthusiasts of all ages. The flowers that bloom from our seeds become tasteful reminders of your thoughtfulness and affection. Please visit our Gift Certificates page to order. We'll send you a certificate for the appropriate amount and you can fill out the name of the recipient. Members of: |
NEW FOR 2012: 
Modern plant breeding and hybridization has
turned the public's eye away from many of our precious heirloom flowers,
including the original species and the old, named heirloom varieties.
By preserving and circulating these seeds we help maintain a strong genetic
plant base, thus ensuring their survival. Our flowers have a long and
colourful history and you can read many of the stories they have to tell.
Although this black and white illustration
does not do the plant justice it will help
you visualize this striking flower. They are
like bright red exclamation marks
throughout the garden.
All seed is untreated. Our seeds are fresh and you should expect a bountiful
yield, given the right growing conditions. If for any reason you are not
happy with our products, we will be glad to replace the item, substitute
for another variety or refund the purchase price.