Canterbury Bells, Courtesy D. Landreth Seed Company

Landreth Seed Company, to celebrate its 225th anniversary of service to America’s farmers and gardeners, has issued a commemorative catalogue. Like their past Catalogues, Rural Registers and Almanacs, Landreth introduced and chronicled the development of seeds, many of which are now heirlooms.  Of particular note, David Landreth, the founder,  introduced the zinnia to the United States from Mexico, the white potato in 1811, the tomato called The Lovely Apple, later perfecting the first variety of yellow tomato and in 1826, the Bloomsdale spinach.

Here is a page taken from the Landreth Commemorative Catalog originally published in 1884.

Hollyhock, Courtesy D. Landreth Seed Company

Page to the Ladies.

Plant Flower Seeds

Before the Peach is in bloom sow in Hot-bed, or in Window-ledge Boxes, in a warm room: aster, balsam, cosmos, canna, celossia, daisy, ice plant, marvel or peru, petunia, castor bean, pansy, zinnia, verbena, sage.

Before the Peach is in bloom sow in the OPEN GARDEN: sweet peas – in rows, three seeds to the inch.  Rows four feet apart.  Cover two inches deep.

When the Apple is in bloom sow in open garden:  nasturtium, cosmos, canna. – Anything in the entire list.

Throughout the Summer sow at intervals:  phlox, drummondii, portulaca, candy-tuft, mignonette.

In Autumn sow to obtain plants to bloom in early Spring:  hollyhocks, snapdragon, columbine, wallflower, carnations, pinks, sweet william, pansy, everlasting peas, canterbury bell, foxglove.