Sources for Unusual Plants

[Paul T]

Howdy All,

With the permission of the powers that be (Hi Maggi!! ) I have started this thread for posting information for sources of rare and unusual plants (obviously the definition of rare and unusual will differ from country to country!) around the world.

I'm kicking this off with an "advert" for Marcus Harvey's "Hill View Rare Plants" catalogue here in Australia.  Marcus resides in Tasmania and specialises in the rare and unusual, predominantly bulbous/Rhizomatous'Tuberous types.  He does some of his own seed collecting, plus also imports etc.  He has things that a few of us here in Australia would quite probably kill for (although usually it is just easier to ask if he has some for sale).  His catalogue has come out in the last week, so it is current.  I have an electronic version (pdf file) which is 3.5Mb, so is fairly large (I am mentioning this so that those of you who have dialup are prepared for a large download).

So.... to receive a copy of his descriptive catalogue either email him on hillview400@hotmail.com (tell him I sent you!!  ), or else email or PM me and I'll send you a copy.  Given the plants he offers, I'd imagine that there would be something on his list for most people, including 4 pages of Crocus, 2 pages of Cyclamen, 2 pages of Fritillarias, Calochortus, 2 pages of Narcissus, 2 pages of Galanthus, plus assorted other bits and pieces (including Allium, Anemone, Colchicum, Erythronium, Iris plus lots more).  It's a catalogue I always await around Christmas, knowing that there will be lots on there that I won't be able to resist!! 

[Paul T]

Howdy again All,

I just realised I had forgotten to mention that Marcus does supply overseas as well, as far as I know.  I know that Lesley gets plants from him, and I know he has sent to Germany at least, so this isn't just for Australians, but for overseas as well. 

[rob krejzl]

I just realised I had forgotten to mention

...

that he does two catalogues a year (at least for the moment), the winter one with summer flowering bulbs, hellebores, etc..

[Paul T]

Except..... was last winter his last one of those?  I thought there was a note in that catalogue to say that the lady who was doing the Primulas has a winter catalogue, but that he wouldn't be any more? 

Anyway, his current catalogue is available at the moment, for summer dormant bulbs etc (we are after all in the Southern Hemisphere, in case you northerners hadn't thought about it!! )

[rob krejzl]

At the risk of boring everyone else.

Inside cover, present list:     "Hill View/Pen Lan Winter List to Continue into 2008"

[Paul T]

Ah, must admit I hadn't noticed that.  I don't think it should be boring anyone...... just shows that as well all the other things I mentioned then he has a winter list with Hellebores, Liliums, Primulas etc in around the June/July time-frame for winter here in Aus. 

Thanks Rob!  Glad you corrected me, as I thought I wouldn't be getting any more winter catalogues from him.  Excellent!!!!! 

[Lesley Cox]

Yes, Lesley DOES import from Marcus for herself and some other Kiwis as well. I've found his bulbs (and seed) excellent quality and well worth the pain and anguish of phytos, air postage, MAF inspections etc etc.

[fermi de Sousa]

Yes, Paul,
Marcus sends to the USA as well. We don't mind you giving out this information as most of us have sent in our orders already!
Another good source of seeds is, of course, Rocky Mountain Rare Plants in Colorado - now closed
Rebecca and her helpers collect wild and garden cultivated plants and have a wide range; unfortunately not all are on ICON so you have to be a little selective (incredibly hard because of the great variety of tempting items) when ordering.
cheers
fermi

[Michael]

Speaking about unusual plants, i am searching for a source for T. azureum (seeds or tubers). If anyone does know a source, please let me know.
Thanks you
Mike

[Paul T]

Mike,

I assume you're meaning Tropaeolum azureum?  Only "T" I can think of at the moment with an azureum.    J and J Archibald I know has had it in the past.  I received a catalogue from them recently, but can't recall whether it was in there or not.  They have a website too now I think.

[Michael]

I am sorry Paul, yes i was referring to Tropaeolum azureum.
Thanks for the information, i will make a search to see if i can find the website

[Andrew]

It's in the LINKS tab (top of the page) if you cannot find it, Mike.

PS I have not forgotten about the other seeds, just letting Christmas rush get out of the way.

[kaydale]

Another source, that you all probably know about anyway, is Ron Ratko in America.  I have found his seed to be fantastic and germinate easily.  I hunted for ages a few weeks ago and found his current email address, oreonana@zipcon.com , he emailed his seed list to me 64 pages!
Definately going to blow my budget 
Lesley

[Maggi Young]

I have just received the 2008 plant list from Ger van den Beuken in the Netherlands. I cannot post the list here, the file is too big and Admin will chase me for advertising  but there are, as ever, some very interesting alpines on this list... email me for a copy.
 M