Seeds to start indoors

Dyer's woad , or Isatis tinctoria , has been used for centuries in the age-old art of plant dyeing. Long before the arrival of tropical indigo in Europe, its leaves provided the deep blue hue for fabrics, particularly in temperate regions. In a thriving garden, it first appears as a rosette of bluish-green leaves close to the ground, then, in its second year, it grows into a tall, branching stem adorned with small yellow flowers.

Planted in suitable soil, it forms a robust yet discreet presence. Its delicate flowering blends seamlessly into a kitchen garden or a quiet corner reserved for useful plants. Its cyclical nature perfectly illustrates the gardener's rooted approach: observing its rosette in the first year, nurturing its flowering in the second, and allowing a few seeds to ripen, thus continuing the connection with nature throughout the seasons.

Originating from a family heirloom passed down by an Amish woman from Missouri, the Dester tomato has its roots in Germany , where it was reportedly cultivated for many years by a doctor's family. This heirloom variety with large, pink, beefsteak-type fruit is the result of a transatlantic journey, a blend of living tradition and a passion for good tomatoes.

In the garden, it grows vigorously, supported by indeterminate growth. Carefully staked , it develops long, sturdy, leafy stems, ready to bear massive fruits that can reach 450g . In a sunny, fertile spot , it integrates perfectly among summer companions, extending the harvest season thanks to its staggered production. It is a reliable plant , consistently accompanying daily tasks: tying, observing, picking, sharing.

In the privacy of the garden, the 'Siberian Blues' carnation brings its fresh and light notes. A relative of the Dianthus genus, this small ornamental carnation has a long history in cottage gardens and perennial borders. Its flowers, in a range of pastel shades tending towards mauve and purplish-blue, breathe a breath of fresh air into sunny flowerbeds.

In an ecological garden, it naturally finds its place in a diverse, nourishing space : it complements hardy perennials, borders paths and rockeries, and offers its nectar to passing pollinators. Its delicate flowering blends gently into the cycle of the seasons , providing a discreet yet constant presence that supports the garden's biodiversity without ever overwhelming it.

The flat-leaved sea holly, Eryngium planum , is an umbellifer native to Eurasia that has naturally found its place in dry gardens and wildflower meadows. Its upright, rigid stems, topped with steel-blue umbels, give it a slightly wild, almost mineral appearance that contrasts with the softer foliage of neighboring perennials.

In the garden, it thrives in poor, well-drained soils, where it establishes itself without any particular requirements once rooted. Its summer blooms attract numerous pollinating insects, contributing to the vitality of a harmonious garden. It is an ideal companion plant for dry, sunny spots, where its architectural form and long-lasting flower clusters offer a welcome presence throughout the seasons.

Originating from Sichuan, China , the Halfmoon China is an heirloom beefsteak tomato variety, selected for its delicate colors and rich flesh. Its generous, flattened, slightly ribbed fruits turn a very pale yellow, almost ivory, with pinkish highlights when fully ripe, evoking the light of a calm evening.

In a thriving and well-tended vegetable garden , this vigorous, indeterminate plant requires space, support, and attention . Production occurs in irregular but generous waves until the first frosts. It fits naturally into an approach to sustainable gardening , where each harvest becomes a moment of wonder.

Bupleurum 'Green Gold' is an elegant and distinctive annual, prized as much for its understated beauty as for its striking visual impact. Its upright stems bear chartreuse-green, almost translucent bracts that surround small, discreet flowers. The overall effect creates a light and luminous texture, highly sought after in flower gardens and plant arrangements.

Native to Europe, Bupleurum rotundifolium integrates naturally into naturalistic gardens and flower-filled vegetable patches. Its growth is regular and structured, without exuberance, making it an excellent companion plant. It provides contrast, rhythm, and a unique color that highlights more colorful flowers.

In the garden, bupleurum prefers sunny spots and well-drained soil. It self-seeds easily and requires little maintenance once established. Its summer flowering is consistent, and the stems remain sturdy even in moderately windy conditions.

Buck's-horn plantain , also known as salad-leaf plantain, is a vegetable variety of plantain long prized in Europe as a tender green. Its narrow, deeply lobed leaves resemble small horns or a curly plume, instantly lending a vibrant, garden-like appearance to the growing beds.

In an organic vegetable garden, it easily finds its place among salads and leafy greens. Its low rosette gently covers the ground and thrives in any type of soil, without any particular requirements, provided it is moderately fertile and well-drained. Harvested young, it offers the gardener the daily pleasure of a few fresh leaves to add to salads, maintaining the natural rhythm of the seasons.

It's a trustworthy little plant: discreet, low-maintenance, and can be sown in several waves to stagger harvests. Its benevolent presence integrates naturally into a diverse, edible garden and a respectful relationship with all living things.

Traditionally appreciated for its nutritive, remineralizing, anti-anemic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, toning, and purifying properties.

Nettle: A plant rich in nutrients

Preparation :

As an infusion: Infuse 15 ml (1 tbsp) of dried herbs in 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water. Cover to preserve the essential oils. Infuse for 10 minutes, strain and enjoy.

In cooking: Use as a substitute for spinach in recipes.

Warning: All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as therapeutic advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before use and take all necessary precautions, particularly regarding pregnancy and drug interactions.

The Red Spider Zinnia intrigues and captivates with its spider-like blooms: its thread-like, recurved petals form intense red corollas, above a bronze-yellow center typical of zinnias. Its striking appearance brings a unique contrast to colorful flowerbeds, flowering vegetable gardens, and gardens that value diversity and pollinating plants.

Originating from Zinnia tenuiflora , an ancient species from Mexico, this annual variety reaches approximately 60 cm in height, with an upright, branching habit and narrow, matte green foliage. Its flowering period extends from summer until the first frosts, sometimes even into October if the soil remains favorable.

In a harmonious garden, it finds its place among aromatic herbs, wild perennials, or native plants, where it supports active biodiversity. Its simple yet abundant flowering attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, making it an ecological choice that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is effective.

Traditionally valued for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, tonic, diuretic, emmenagogue properties…

Flower and leaf with a camphor-like taste.

Preparation :

As an infusion: Infuse 15 ml (1 tbsp) of dried herbs in 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water. Cover to preserve the essential oils. Infuse for 10 minutes, strain and enjoy.

In cooking: Use as a condiment in soups, omelets, meat, poultry or fish dishes, pasta, sauces, butters, fruit salads, etc.

Warning: All information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as therapeutic advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before use and take all necessary precautions, particularly regarding pregnancy and drug interactions.

Dried flower with a raspberry scent.
Traditionally valued for its antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and sedative properties…

Preparation: As an infusion: Infuse 15 ml (1 tbsp) of dried herbs in 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water. Cover to preserve the essential oils. Infuse for 10 minutes, strain, and enjoy.

In cooking: Use as a flavoring in sauces, soups, bread dough; use an infusion in cold water to add to a fruit salad…

Daucus dara , also known as ornamental carrot or wild carrot, is a graceful annual reminiscent of meadowsweet, but with a touch more boldness. Its airy flower heads, ranging from deep mauve to delicate pink, sometimes pearly cream, emerge from the tops of sturdy stems, proudly reaching over 60 cm in height. In a vibrant garden, it is a valuable companion to flowerbeds, both for its subtle presence and its appeal to pollinators.

Native to much of Europe and temperate Asia, Bladder Campion ( Silene vulgaris ) has long been a common sight along paths, dry meadows, and sunny embankments. Its low-growing silhouette, dotted with white flowers with calyxes swollen like small balloons, adds a light touch to borders and more natural corners of the garden.

A hardy perennial, it thrives where the soil remains well-drained. In a garden in harmony with its surroundings, it finds its place among wildflowers and tall grasses, contributing to the diversity of the plant cover. Its staggered flowering periods throughout much of the growing season accompany the changing seasons with remarkable consistency, requiring little care once established.

White agastache, an enchanting member of the Lamiaceae family, captivates with its pure white, delicately fragrant flower spikes. This slender perennial offers an airy display, blending grace and lightness. Highly prized for its elegance in flowerbeds, it also naturally attracts butterflies and bees.

With its slender silhouette and refined tubular flowers, white agastache releases a sweet and fresh fragrance, a true invitation to summer reverie. It subtly adorns summer gardens and lends a fluid and elegant texture to your bouquets, while enhancing their natural charm.

Originating from European market gardening traditions, the Yellow Cipollini onion has earned a prominent place in kitchen gardens thanks to its small, flat, golden-yellow bulbs. Its disc-like shape and modest size encourage careful harvesting and simple, everyday cooking.

In the garden, it's a discreet yet consistent presence: neatly aligned rows, upright foliage that quietly accompanies the cycle of the seasons. This variety produces bulbs prized for their sweet flesh, particularly sought after for slow cooking or caramelization. Well integrated into a harmonious garden, it blends easily with other vegetables in a respectful and diversified approach to gardening.

Originating from the windswept shores of Brittany , the 'Lily White' sea kale is a rare, traditional variety , remarkable for its ability to withstand salt spray and sea winds. It is one of the few perennial Brassicaceae , making it a valuable curiosity as well as a long-lasting ally for gardens in cooler climates .

Cultivated for generations in coastal vegetable gardens, it elegantly complements fish, shellfish, and seafood dishes , thanks to its mild, slightly sweet and salty flavor . Its presence in Breton cuisine testifies to a long-standing connection between the sea and the nourishing garden .

The young, broad, tender leaves , pale green and almost white in the center, form a compact and luminous head . Its hardiness and vigor make it a generous, resilient plant, perfectly adapted to harsh conditions.

In an ecological garden, Lily White brings diversity, structure, and permanence . It captivates with its understated beauty, its robustness, and its nourishing role season after season , for those who cultivate in harmony with the rhythm of life.

Originating from the Mediterranean regions, this chicory embodies the rustic strength and herbaceous charm of the southern lands . Its long, serrated leaves , of an intense green, evoke the dandelion, but hide a personality all its own: crisp, fragrant, slightly bitter .

Catalogna grows vigorously, even in poor or well-drained soil , and is easily cultivated in autumn or spring. Its slender habit and resistance to light cold make it an excellent companion for mixed gardens and vegetable rotations. It attracts beneficial insects and integrates elegantly and discreetly into a living garden.

Native to the damp meadows and ditch banks of North America, blue verbena ( Verbena hastata ) brings to the garden the simple, upright look of wasteland and marsh landscapes. Its slender but sturdy stems bear numerous spikes of small, bluish-purple flowers that open gradually throughout the summer, creating a light yet distinctive presence in a vibrant garden.

A perennial herbaceous plant, it thrives in cool to moist soils and the slightly wilder areas of the kitchen garden. Its aerial flower clusters attract various insects, including bees and butterflies, thus contributing to the life of pollinators throughout the seasons. Discreet in its foliage but generous in its blooms, it is a natural companion for those seeking an approach rooted in the diversity of native plants and a relationship with nature that respects wetlands.