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Flower Power! Heirloom Seeds for Your Garden
May/June 2022
 Courtesy Hudson Valley Seeds |
Layered with history, growing heirloom plants can bring much beauty and joy, meanwhile linking your historic garden to San Diego gardens and gardeners of the past. Horticultural pioneers like Flora Kimball, Kate Sessions, and Alfred Robinson are just a few that come quickly to mind, plus the seeds and plants that your own circle of family and friends have shared for generations.
Generally, heirlooms are defined as being more than 50 years old and by documenting and verifying the generational history of preserving and passing on the seed. Many heirloom plants are also endangered, just like historic sites and landscapes can be. Luckily, it’s a little easier to save these, as the best way to preserve these living artifacts is to just grow them!
Several companies listed here have a focused mission to keep heirloom varieties alive for future generations and to preserve seed diversity and food security. Discover rare heirlooms, historic varieties, and beloved favorites to plant in your own garden.
Many of these companies produce beautiful print catalogs which you can order or will receive with a first order. And be sure to check out the heirloom seed and plant selections at San Diego’s legacy business nurseries, like Walter Anderson, operating since 1928, and Mission Hills Nursery, founded in 1910.
This list of local and mail-order companies should give you a great start.
- Annie's Heirloom
- Baker Creek
Offers one of the largest selections of 19th-century heirloom seeds from Europe and Asia, featuring about 1,000 heirloom varieties.
- Botanical Interests
Unique seed packets that include art, garden history, landscape ideas, and organic gardening know-how.
- Hudson Valley Seed Company
Their Art Packs set them apart. They “celebrate the art of seed” with a gallery of seed packets designed by different artists who capture the essence of each plant or flower.
- Mary’s Heirloom Seeds
Heirloom seeds sourced from a small family farm in Ramona; over 700 varieties of heirloom, open-pollinated.
- Pinetree
1,300 varieties, including organic and heirloom vegetables.
- Renee’s Garden
Selection of certified organic, hybrids, open-pollinated, and heirloom seeds.
- San Diego Seed Company
Certified organic heirloom varieties adapted for Southern California growers; facilitates and promotes ethical seed production.
- Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Heirloom, rare, and endangered varieties; open-pollinated varieties to encourage seed saving, and disease- and insect-tolerant varieties to reduce pesticide use.
- Seed Savers Exchange
One of the largest selections of 19th-century heirloom seeds from Europe and Asia, about 1,000 varieties.
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