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Re: Cailfornia native seed

>>Does anyone want to share their favorite seed sources, whether commercial 
>>or society/nbon-profit for seed of California native plants?  I'm 
>>intersted particularly in sources for some of the winter annuals and 
>>smaller perennials.
>>
>>Loren Russell, Corvallis ORE
>>
>>

I think everyone in the US should be interested in a San Diego treasure:
Charles Ledgerwood.

Mr. Ledgerwood has sold seeds in Carlsbad, California (north of San Diego),
and in the same location, since the 1930's. The store is attached to the
house. I don't think California law even allows such stores any more. There
can't be many seed stores remaining in the entire US anymore. I believe
that Mr. Ledgerwood must be in his 80's, perhaps 90's, and fortunately his
daughter is running much of the company now. I hope his grandchildren will
help someday, too. 

Why do I mention this to this group? Ledgerwood Seeds does sell California
Native seeds, though certainly not the specialty items that can be found at
the Theodore Payne Foundation, but for the more common California native
annuals, his prices cannot be beat. Seeds are hand weighed and packeted and
sold by the ounce, or more exactly by the 1/64 oz for expensive seeds
($0.60 for 1/64 oz) to the inexpensive ($0.25 for 1 oz.). I believe (if I
read his price list correctly -- no guarantees) for California poppies, 1/4
pound would cost $0.65.

NOTE: I just realized my catalog is a 1994 version, so no doubt these
prices have increased some since then.

Here are some of the natives carried: clarkia, collinsea (Chinese Houses),
California poppy, linum (scarlet or blue flax), lupin, mentzelia (Blazing
Stars), phacelia. As you can see, these are the seeds you want to broadcast
around the yard or in a meadow or over the fence into that vacant yard. 

Of course, Ledgerwood sells many other vegetable and flower seeds. 

His address is: 

Charles B. Ledgerwood
3862 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, California 92008
(760) 729-3282.

Unfortunately, Ledgerwood Seeds in many ways is still a store of the 30's.
I don't believe you'll find an 800 number, a FAX machine, or an EMAIL
account. He does publish a 36 page catalog which I believe he prints
himself on a little hand-cranked printing press. If you want a copy, I
think you'll have to send $2 + postage. Whether you ever buy a single seed,
read the catalog or pay him a visit and you'll be transported back 50 years
in time. 

And when you receive your Park, Burpee, or Gurney seed catalogs this
January, where literally millions of catalogs are printed, compare prices
and you will be amazed at how Ledgerwood Seeds can sell you a packet for
$0.35 and yet the big boys want $2.95 for the same amount.

DKM
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