Seeds

Sunberry nightshade is a unique annual plant, long overlooked, but now appreciated for its abundance and culinary uses. Selected in 1909 by the renowned horticulturist Luther Burbank, it was developed specifically to offer a nightshade with edible fruit , unlike the toxic black nightshade, which it closely resembles.

The plant forms a compact and vigorous bushy habit, growing rapidly to about 50 cm in height. It produces an abundance of small, round, dark bluish-purple fruits with a matte appearance, clustered in bunches. These fruits are only edible when fully ripe , at which stage they develop a sweet and pleasant flavor.

In the garden, Sunberry proves surprisingly adaptable. It grows in most soil types, without any particular requirements, and gets off to a quick start once established. Its production is early and sustained, and the plant can sometimes self-seed when conditions are right.

Native to Europe, Dragon Tongue Mustard is prized for its variegated foliage, a delicate blend of light green and purple, reminiscent of the dragon's tongue from which it takes its name. With flavors reminiscent of classic mustard, it finds its place in exceptional gardens as an elegant, tangy green salad, adding a spicy and colorful touch to spring harvests.

In the garden, its bushy, compact habit makes it easy to plant in borders or mixed with other leafy greens. Its rapid growth and moderate hardiness make it a generous companion for brightening up fresh salads. Dragon Tongue invites culinary exploration while supporting biodiversity thanks to its small yellow flowers that attract pollinating insects.

Originating in Japan, Great Wave Miike mustard embodies the vibrant energy of Asian traditions, where mustard is valued as much for its leaves as for its spicy seeds. Its name evokes the famous woodblock print "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," symbolizing the power, natural beauty, and human courage in the face of the elements.

In the garden, this mustard stands out with its glossy, wavy, almost sculptural green foliage, which adds a graphic and dynamic touch. Perennial or annual depending on the climate, it vigorously complements vegetable crops, acting as a quick green manure and a beneficial companion plant.

Its robust and generous nature warms the senses in salads, stir-fries, or as a condiment thanks to its tangy flavor. A true partner for committed gardeners, it integrates naturally into a nourishing and vibrant garden.

The Orange Wonder snapdragon belongs to the species Antirrhinum majus , the garden snapdragon, a classic companion to natural flowerbeds. Native to the Mediterranean region, this species has been adopted in many gardens for its dense flower spikes and long flowering period. The Orange Wonder selection is distinguished by its warm orange hues, a welcome addition to any garden or ornamental space.

In the garden, snapdragons form upright clumps topped with dense flower spikes that gradually open over the weeks. Their structuring presence consistently accompanies the cycle of the seasons: first green foliage, then a long flowering period. In a harmonious garden, they find their place both in beds and borders, and can provide a source of nectar for visiting insects where the soil is welcoming and minimally disturbed.

Chinese forget-me-not is a particularly floriferous annual, prized for its abundant and prolonged flowering. It produces a multitude of tiny indigo-blue flowers, gathered in airy clusters that rise above soft, discreet grey-green foliage.

The plant has a uniform and well-structured habit, with sturdy stems capable of supporting continuous flowering. It grows rapidly and can exceed 45 cm in height under favorable conditions. This vigor, combined with its great adaptability, makes it an excellent candidate for flower beds, borders, as well as for cultivation in containers and planters.

In the garden, the Chinese forget-me-not is tolerant and adaptable. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, where it continues to flower profusely. Its blooms extend from spring until the end of summer, providing a constant and colorful presence in landscaping.

In the ecumene, the Chinese forget-me-not is perceived as a plant of continuity and delicacy. It accompanies the season over the long term, attracting pollinators while bringing a touch of lightness and constancy to the flower garden.

Native to East Asia, the pink Chinese forget-me-not gently brightens shady gardens with its small pink flowers, which are rarer than the traditional blue forget-me-nots. This elegant variety brings a touch of poetry and softness to woodland areas and cool flowerbeds.

In the garden, it is particularly generous from spring onwards, unfurling its flowering carpet which attracts numerous small pollinators. Its low and spreading habit makes it an ideal plant for filling shady borders or for creating a flowering ground cover.

The pink Chinese forget-me-not embodies discretion and finesse, its light bloom seeming to caress the most secret corners of the living garden, thus contributing to the richness and biodiversity of plant living spaces.

Among the most familiar root vegetables in peasant gardens, the white turnip with a purple collar is one of those unassuming companions that faithfully return with each passing season. Its round, white, and smooth root, topped with a purple collar where it receives sunlight, provides a simple yet firmly rooted presence in the welcoming soil of the vegetable garden.

Originating from a vast Eurasian basin where turnips have been cultivated since antiquity, this bicolored variety has become popular for its rapid growth and tender flesh. In a vibrant and diverse garden, it integrates easily into the edges of planting beds or between longer crops, contributing to the garden's cycle through its roots that loosen the soil and its foliage that covers the ground.

In the garden, it's a reliable plant for cooler seasons: sown early in spring or late summer, it develops round roots within a few weeks, ready to be harvested for simple and nourishing cooking. Its remarkable resilience makes it a valuable ally in an approach to respectful gardening and connection with nature.

The Petrowski turnip is an old variety highly prized by gourmets for the exceptional tenderness and sweetness of its flesh. It is recognizable by its round root with golden-yellow skin, enclosing a fine, creamy-white to very pale yellow flesh , accompanied by a delicately fragrant aftertaste that clearly distinguishes it from other turnips.

Originating in Northern Europe and associated with Berlin, this very hardy variety has proven particularly well-suited to cooler climates. Around 1915, it was being cultivated as far away as Alaska by Russian immigrants, a testament to its robustness and early maturity. It is generally harvested between 1.5 and 2 months after sowing and expresses its best flavor when picked young.

In the garden, Petrowski grows quickly in loose, cool, and well-drained soil. Its steady and reliable growth makes it an excellent choice for northern vegetable gardens and short growing seasons.

In the local world, this turnip is seen as a plant of refined simplicity. It serves as a reminder that certain old varieties, carefully selected and harvested, offer a richness of flavor that far surpasses their apparent modesty.

The Scarlet Ohno Revival turnip is an old variety brought back into fashion through the patient work of breeders dedicated to preserving food diversity. Its round, white roots with a pink to purplish-red collar add a bright and cheerful touch to the intimacy of the garden, between two rows of lettuce or cabbage.

In a thriving garden , this turnip is prized for its rapid growth and tender flesh, ideal for young roots. It plays a part in the cycle of the seasons , offering spring and autumn harvests when the soil becomes welcoming again after the cold or begins to cool down after the summer heat. Its discreet yet reliable presence makes it a truly dependable plant for enriching the vegetable garden's growing areas.

Native to South America, jasmine-flowered tobacco ( Nicotiana alata ) first became famous as an ornamental plant, cultivated for its small, trumpet-shaped flowers, often white and pleasantly fragrant. In a vibrant garden, it easily finds its place at the edge or in the heart of flowerbeds, where its summer blooms accompany the cycle of the seasons.

Its soft green foliage beautifully complements the star-shaped flowers, which release their fragrance especially in the late afternoon and evening, reminiscent of the sweet notes of jasmine. In a diverse, nutrient-rich garden, this ornamental tobacco provides a discreet yet constant presence, harmonizing with the other plants. Its careful cultivation from seed is part of an age-old tradition that connects the gardener to nature, year after year.

Native to the Americas and long cultivated by many Indigenous nations, Petit Canadien tobacco ( Nicotiana rustica ) is one of those plants that tells an ancient story of the relationship between humans and the garden. Introduced very early to the countryside here, it was long cultivated as a hardy tobacco, adapted to shorter growing seasons and poor soils.

In the garden, it's a compact and vigorous plant with an upright habit, forming a beautiful clump of green foliage. Its sturdy stems support broad, abundant leaves and discreet flowers, characteristic of Tabac rustica. In a living garden that respects the cycle of the seasons, it naturally finds its place within a diverse, edible space, as an ornamental companion plant or a traditional addition to the garden.

A companion to a harmonious garden, Petit Canadien tobacco invites us to reconnect with an age-old practice of respectful cultivation. Its structuring presence brings a beautiful consistency to the vegetable garden or biodiversity garden, where it helps create that intimate garden space that we observe day after day.

In many Indigenous traditions of the Americas, sacred tobacco—often called Nicotiengà —is not just another plant: it is a presence, a living link between humans, the land, and the spirits. Native to the Americas, rustic tobacco ( Nicotiana rustica ) is an ancient variety with a high nicotine content, traditionally cultivated with intention and respect.

In the garden, it forms an elegant silhouette , with large oval leaves and discreet yellow flowers. It is often given a quiet corner , away from cultivated crops, in a harmonious space conducive to contemplation and reflection. Its ample form and vigorous growth make it a unique companion plant, grown for what it evokes rather than for what it yields.

Sown in late spring, after the risk of frost has passed, sacred tobacco requires little maintenance , other than well-drained soil, plenty of sunshine, and a clear intention. It fits perfectly into a vegetable garden that respects life and tradition, serving as a poignant reminder of the bonds that unite people with their sacred plants.

'Virginia Gold' nicotine is a traditional variety of blond tobacco, known for its large golden leaves and slender growth habit. It forms a vigorous and upright plant.

In the garden, Virginia Gold develops a rosette of large, supple leaves that gradually turn from light green to golden yellow at maturity. Its imposing stature and abundant foliage make it a striking, almost architectural plant that naturally draws the eye.

In the ecumene, this variety is approached primarily as a plant of observation and know-how .

Nigella, often called black cumin in common parlance, is one of those delicate, airy annuals that gracefully integrate into the garden. From its Eurasian origins, it retains a taste for bright summers: its finely cut foliage creates a delicate green lacework that weaves easily among vegetables and flowers. When it blooms, its simple blossoms add a subtle touch to the vibrant garden and hint at the aromatic seeds to come.

In a harmonious and diverse vegetable garden, black cumin takes up little space, adapts to the changing seasons without any particular requirements, and provides its seeds for cooking. Its unobtrusive presence respects the balance of the fertile soil and integrates naturally into a respectful approach to gardening, where each plant finds its rightful place at the heart of the garden's ecosystem.

The 'Carmen' marigold belongs to those varieties of Tagetes that naturally find their place in a vibrant garden. Its luminous flowers and compact habit make it a discreet but constant presence throughout the summer, equally at home in the vegetable garden or among flowers.

Easy to sow, it guides the gardener in a respectful approach to cultivation, where each plant contributes to the balance of the space. Whether planted in borders, pots, or flowerbeds, 'Carmen' punctuates the cycle of seasons with its generous and regular blooms, offering a colorful focal point in the heart of the garden.

The Rainbow Loveliness carnation is a charming perennial, a member of the Dianthus plumarius family, that evokes both the elegance of old-fashioned gardens and the vibrancy of sunny rockeries. Its fine, bluish leaves form a compact, evergreen clump, topped with airy blooms in soft, changing hues: pale pink, lilac, purple, or white, sometimes adorned with subtle two-tone gradients.

The flowers, with their delicately fringed petals like lace, create a light and romantic mist effect that attracts both the eye and the nose. Their delicate fragrance, both floral and slightly spicy, perfumes the warm end of the day.

Adapted to dry, well-drained soils and sunny locations, this carnation is quite heat-resistant and naturally finds its place in rock gardens, flowering slopes, or neat borders. It offers a delicate display throughout the seasons and proves a faithful ally for gardeners who cultivate subtle detail and a touch of poetry in the garden.

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.

Originating from the large onion family, the Parade bunching onion has carved out a prime spot in kitchen gardens for its long, hollow, straight, and upright leaves. It is cultivated not for the bulb, but for its glossy green foliage, with its distinct fresh onion flavor, which is harvested in bunches throughout the season.

In the garden, Parade grows in tight, even clumps, easy to tuck into a corner of the vegetable patch or along an edible border. Sown in several waves, it accompanies the entire cycle of mild seasons and offers a discreet yet constant presence in the harmonious garden. Its slender shape blends well with other vegetables, and its soil-friendly cultivation makes it a reliable plant in a diverse, edible space.

The result of a rigorous and deeply human scientific approach, this exceptional red onion was born in the research fields of the University of Wisconsin. For several years, Dr. Michael Havey, a renowned horticultural geneticist, and his team pursued a simple yet ambitious idea: to develop an onion variety with a round, dense bulb and a single center, perfect for producing uniform slices. This project, carefully conducted within the USDA Onion Lab breeding program, embodies an approach rooted in knowledge, patience, and attention to detail.

When the program ended, this remarkable lineage was entrusted to the Gardens of the Ecumene so that it could continue to thrive in the hands of gardeners. Since then, this variety has been cultivated with passion, passed on to a community that has given it a name, a place, and a future in living vegetable gardens.

In the garden, it stands out for its vigorous, upright growth habit, good tolerance to climatic variations, and impressive production capacity. The bulbs that form are firm, glossy, and a deep red, and their finely detailed internal structure makes them easy to cut. In well-prepared soil, it offers excellent consistency and adapts readily to garden plots, whether for individual or community use. It thus embodies the balance between horticultural innovation and the age-old practice of sowing seeds, between high quality and ease of cultivation.