Fruits & berries

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common names: Roselle, Jamaican Sorrel, Ambali, Asam Susar
Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Family: Malvaceae

Plant history & use:

Origin from Africa, then spread to Asia and the Caribbean.

Most popularly used to make juice (Agua de Jamaica) from the fresh sepals, but you can also let them dry to make hibiscus tea. Dried sepals are also used as a flavoring agent for Gin. The fresh leaves can also be used to add a sour flavor in salads and soups of Asian character.

In Asia, the leaves are fried, made soup of or cooked together with various dishes e.g. fish, chicken and beef.

Roselle is also often used for its health-enhancing properties .

Cultivation:

Roselle is a perennial plant that thrives in bright locations. Grow the plant indoors next to a bright window and feel free to move it outside in the summer. Alternatively, grow as an annual outdoor in pots or sow the seeds directly on open ground when the risk of frost is over.

Roselle is commercially grown in one-year periods. In nature, however, the plant is perennial and it can also be such when grown at home. Overwintering in a bright location is a prerequisite for growing Roselle as a perennial northern Europe.

In southern Europe: Spain, France's southern coast, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, southern Greece and west/south Turkey, Roselle can be grown outdoors as a perennial all year round. Roselle is USDA Zone 9-12.

The Roselle plant grows into a small tree/tall bush.

Sowing:

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with punctuated small holes to retain moisture. Optimum temperature for rapid germination is between 25-30 ºC, but the seeds also germinate at around 20 ºC. You may use a heating mat for improved germination conditions.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: up to 3 meters
Germination Time: 7-30 days
USDA Zone: 9-12

SEEDS (5pcs/bag)

Common names: Asimina, Paw Paw
Scientific name: Asimina triloba
Family: Annonaceae

Plant history & use:

Asimina is one of the most tropical-like fruits that can grow in temperate climate - USDA Zone is 5-8. The taste is best described as a mixture of banana and mango with a tint of strawberry and the texture is similar to that of papaya or a perfectly ripe avocado. The fruit looks like a small green mango with golden yellow flesh.

The fruits are usually eaten as they are but can also be used to enrich refreshing drinks, pastries and cocktails with their mild tropical taste. The fruits are rich in vitamins such as riboflavins and B-6. You can also use the fruits to make ice cream.

Cultivation:

Asimina originates from and grows naturally in North America, often as undergrowth under larger trees.

They thrive in humus-rich, nutrient-rich and slightly moist well-drained soils.

Asimina trees thrives in sheltered locations and therefore likes to grow under larger trees and also like to stand close together with other Asimina trees, approx. 1 m apart in full grown size. This protects against wind and direct sunlight and facilitates pollination. East facing spots is a suitable place to plant Asimina. Plants that grow in exposed locations do significantly worse than plants that grow in protected locations.

Water abundantly or plant in a place with good water supply.

The Asimina plant puts a lot of energy into developing a strong root system in the beginning - the root can often be thicker than the trunk in the first months. When growing in pots, a tip is to plant in deep pots directly, this gives the opportunity for more efficient root development and you avoid disturbing the plant before it has grown.

In open grounds, Asimina naturally grows into a dense thicket by spreading via root shoots.

It takes about 4-8 years from seed sowing to fruiting tree.

Sowing:

NOTE: These seeds have already been treated with a cold period (stratification). The stratification below is therefore not necessary if the seeds are sown soon after purchase.

The seeds need a cold period of 2-3 months to germinate. This can be done by placing the seeds in a bag of sand/peat in the fridge for the suggested time. After the cold period, the seeds are sown in soil, keep the seed warm and moist, preferably around 25 degrees.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Partial hhade
Height: 1-10 m
Germination Time: 1-12 months
USDA Zone: 5-8

Grow the entire Goji trio - yellow, red & black - in your garden. Discount when ordering all three!

Goji berries are a rich source of vitamins and proteins. Red goji berries are familiar to most people, while yellow and black goji berries are a fairly unexplored source of health in the West. In ancient societies, the plant has been used for a variety of purposes for a long time.

Goji is an easy-to-grow shrub that is hardy outdoors in all Europe and can grow in most soils.

A total of 50 seeds of 3 varieties:

10 seeds Yellow Goji
20 seeds (Red) Goji
20 seeds Black Goji

Read more about each variety here:

• Goji (Lycium barbarum)
• Yellow Goji (Lycium barbarum)
• Black Goji (Lycium ruthenicum)

SEEDS (20pcs/bag)

Common name: Caper, Caper Bush, Flinders Rose
Scientific name: Capparis spinosa
Family: Capparaceae

Plant history & use:

The Caper Bush is a Mediterranean plant that have a long history of being cultivated for its edible unopened flower buds. After picking, they are put in salt to release bitter compounds and to bring out the sourness. This is the kind of capers we often see canned in stores. You can also let the flowers remain on the plant until they eventually turn into fruits, the fruits can then similarly be put into salt to be made ready for consumption. 

Preserving capers is very easy. It can be broken down into 4 steps:

• Put the fresh flower buds/fruits in a bowl of salt
• Leave the buds/fruits in the bowl with salt for 3-7 days (or longer if desired).
• Drain the water that accumulates in the bowl and add some extra salt every day.
• When preservation is finished, rinse off the salt from the buds/fruits and soak them in water. Soaking time is up to your own taste, but recommended minimal time is 15 minutes. You can soak for several hours if desired. Grab a spoon and make a taste test every once in a while to find the flavor that suits you.

You can also pickle younger shoots and leaves from the Caper Bush. If you want to use slightly older leaves and shoots, a tip is to blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before pickling. Mix your caper shoots & leaves with salt and vinegar, leave in the fridge for about 1 month. Ready to eat.

Cultivation of capers has been traced back as far as 7,000 years ago in present-day Turkey, Jordan and Syria. There, it is believed to have been used for both culinary and medicinal applications. In medicinal use, all plant parts were used, most prominently as a digestive aid.

In tropical & sub-tropical food forests (agroforestry) it is effectively used in the lower layer as a ground cover plant.

Cultivation:

In its natural environment, capers often grow in high temperatures and soils with poor water and nutrient availability. A typical adaptation to a nutrient-poor environment is its very widespread root system, which makes it suitable as a soil binder in shorelines or eroding soils etc. In its natural environment, it is often growing on rocky cliffs and slopes. It grows on the walls of many ancient Mediterranean fortifications. The caper is an easily cultivated bush for home growers in the Mediterranean region (Spain, Italy, Greece, the coastal Balkan countries and south & west Turkey).

The Caper Bush develops an extensive root system, hence it grows best in deep, medium-textured, loamy soils.

In temperate climate, capers are best grown in pots in bright locations and overwintered frost-free. Capers are characterized by an initial upright growth to later grow long horizontal lateral shoots that spread along the ground - or hang down along the wall that the plant has mounted.

The bush is productive and in optimal conditions there can be good harvests of up to 3000 buds per bush and season. In temperate climate, you can't really expect the same results, but you can do your best to mimic the plant's natural environment by:

• put it in direct sunlight throughout the summer months,
• let it grow in well-drained Mediterranean soil 
• let the soil dry out between waterings.

It's recommended to transplant your Caper Bush into a larger pot as the plant grows bigger.

As mentioned earlier, you harvest either the unopened flower buds or the fully formed fruits. If the flower bud is allowed to bloom, the bush produces sweetly scented, spectacular flowers. The Caper Bush can flower already in the first year sown from seed.

Caper buds are usually picked in the morning since that is when they're believed to have their highest aromatic value.

The Caper plant an be propagated via cuttings.

Sowing:

Caper seeds germinate irregularly. To create better germination conditions:

• Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 1 day
• Place the seeds between two pieces of damp tissue paper/moist sand and leave in the fridge for 4-6 weeks
• Soak the seeds one final time in lukewarm water for 1 day
• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in sowing soil

The roots of the young caper plants are usually easily disturbed and are sensitive to damage when transplanting. A good solution can be to sow the seeds in degradable growing trays that you can seamlessly transplant into a larger pot without disturbing the roots.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 50 cm
Germination Time: 1-12 weeks
USDA Zone: 8-10

SEEDS (30pcs/bag)

Common name: White mulberry, White mulberry tree
Scientific name: Morus alba
Family: Moraceae

Plant history & use:

The Mulberry tree is one of the world's oldest cultivated plants - probably best known for hosting silkworms whose threads are used to produce silk fabric, since Mulberry leaves practically are the silkworm's only source of food. And the leaves from the White Mulberry variety are especially popular among the silkworms. The white mulberry originates from West Asia.

The berries on the White Mulberry tree can vary in color - from white to pink to red, to nearly black. The White Mulberries have a sweeter taste than their black-fruited relative Morus nigra . The berries are rich in antioxidants and, like mulberry leaf tea, are thought to help balance blood sugar levels. Thanks to its unusually high nutritional content, mulberries are considered a so-called "superfood", like the goji berry .

Dried white mulberries berries have a caramel-like taste.

In addition, the berries contain the substance MFE, which stabilizes the blood sugar level and thus naturally calms the body's craving for sugar. Therefore, mulberries are a common snack-substitute for those who want to get rid of their sweet tooth.

You can also make juice and jam from the berries.

Culture:

The White Mulberry tree is somewhat hardier than its relative Morus nigra and can withstand temperatures down to -30 ° C. It can grow in most soils but thrives best in loose, nutrient-rich soils. Hardy in windy coastal climates but optimal growth is given in warm, wind-sheltered locations.

Suitable as a trellis tree as the branches are easily bendable.

Mulberry trees also suit well in forest orchards as they are a popular host plant for many organisms and provide recurring harvests without major maintenance and protect plants in lower layers.

Mulberries are self-fertile, which means that only one tree is needed to bear fruit.

Prune in winter when the tree/shrub is dormant to avoid excessive "bleeding" of the tree, which is otherwise a common characteristic of mulberry plants.

The berries ripen continuously from mid-summer to early autumn.

When it's time to harvest, a tip is to pick the berries with a needle to avoid crushing them between your fingers.

Sowing:

Mulberry seeds germinate best if given a cold period of 2-3 months. To induce this, mix the seeds with a small amount of sand/peat/sowing soil and place in a plastic bag in the fridge for the above period. Check periodically if any seeds have germinated in the bag. When the cold period is over, carefully spread the contents of the bag into a pot of soil.

Alternatively, sow outdoors in February in a glass-covered seed bed or greenhouse.

It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the seeds to germinate. However, some seeds may need another 12 months to germinate.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-3 m
Germination Time: 1-12 months
USDA Zone: 4-10

SEEDS (20pcs/bag)

Common name: Black Goji Berry, Black Wolfberry, Russian Boxthorn, Siyah Goji, Kaokee
Scientific name: Lycium ruthenicum Murr.
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Black Goji is, like its relative Goji (Lycium barbarum), a rich source of proteins and vitamins. The black goji berry is particularly rich in anthocyanins, with a content higher than that of blueberries. The shrub originates from the areas around the Tibetan Plateau and southern Russia.

Black Goji is a plant that has not yet received much attention in the West, but it has long been used by the indigenous people in the regions of its natural environment. Surprisingly, the indigenous people of small North Indian communities use the berry to make an ointment to prevent blindness in camels. This is possible thanks to the berry's high content of lutein.

The berry gets its deep blue/purple color from the anthocyanins, a substance found in unusually high concentrations in the Black Goji Berry. Anthocyanins are the same substances that give blueberries their blue color and also contribute to a large part of their nutritional value.

Ripe Black Goji berries can be eaten raw, dried or cooked.

The most common way to consume black goji berries is to make a so-called infusion. This is best done when they are completely fresh, but it can also be done with dried berries. The goji berry gives off different colors depending on the type of water used. In mineral-rich water (basic: pH >7) the infusion becomes deep blue and in acidic water (pH <7) the color sets to an intense purple.

Cultivation:

Black Goji natively grows in fairly extreme climates where it is exposed to drought, extreme cold, high salinity and nutrient poor soils. These factors have made the Black Goji berry a very hardy plant. It can thrive in temperatures down to -20 ºC.

The Black Goji is an easy-to-grow shrub that often produces rich harvests. It likes to grow in well-drained soils (often sandy soils) and establishes a strong root system, which makes it a good soil binder, e.g. at beach sides to prevent erosion as well as shelter from coastal winds. It thrives in locations with lots of sunlight.

The Black Goji bush grows up to 2 m and can be grown outdoors in open ground in all of Europe. To protect the Black Goji bush from the harshest conditions, you can cover the base of the plant with straw, leaves etc. in late summer and keep it covered during the colder months - this will protect the plant from the most severe cold as well as prolong the growing season.

The numerous berries first appear in green to later turn black/bluish-purple. It is only then that they are ready for harvest. This takes place in summer-autumn.

Sowing:

The seeds are sown in moist soil. Cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the seed moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-2 m
Germination Time: 1-3 weeks
USDA Zone: 5-9

SEEDS (20pcs/bag)

Common name: Goji Berry, Wolfberry, Matrimony Vine, Chinese Boxthorn, Himalayan/Tibetan Goji
Scientific name: Lycium barbarum
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Goji berries are one of the most popular superfoods on the market and they are often used in muesli, smoothies, salads and bread or simply eaten as they are. The reason for its popularity is probably because the goji berry is one of the most nutrient-dense berries available. It is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as omega-3 and antioxidants. The goji berry also has a particularly high protein content of 10g per 100g, which is very unusual among fruits and berries. The taste is sweet with hints of cranberry and cherry. The berries are usually dried before use.

The red goji berry is richer in carotenoids than the black goji berry, while the black one is richer in antioxidants.

The root is used in herbal medicine for its liver cleansing properties.

In Asia the leaves are cooked in stews and soups or made into tea.

Cultivation:

Goji grows wild in Asia and since it was brought into Europe it has also started to spread itself naturally here. The plant is a deciduous shrub that usually grows 80-200 cm high.

The goji plant is very easy to care for and it is tolerant for both salt and wind. For this reason it is often planted as a soil binder as a barrier along the beachside in costal regions. It thrives well in both sun and partial shade, this is an adaptable plant!

The Goji berry can be grown in all of Europe. 

Sowing:

The seeds are sown indoors in moist soil, outdoors in pots or in the open field. Optimal germination temperature is around 20-25 ºC . It can take 3-4 months for the newly germinated plants to get ready for transplanting, so it is recommended that you sow early in the year. Then you have a good chance of harvesting already the same year.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun/Part shade
Height: 1-3 meters
Germination Time: 10-30 days
USDA Zone: 3-10

SEEDS (15pcs/bag)

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common name: Kousa Dogwood, Chinese Dogwood, Korean Dogwood, Japanese Dogwood
Scientific name: Cornus kousa
Family: Cornaceae

Plant history & use:

Dogwood is a densely grown small tree that originates from Northeast Asia. In spring, it produces numerous bright white flowers that light up shaded areas in the garden. At the end of summer, the tree forms peculiar pink-red edible fruits of 2-3 cm in diameter.

These fruits can be used to make jam or bake a pie. In Asia, you make juice from the berries as well as ferment them into wine.

The bark on thicker stems flakes and creates a beautiful pattern of varied colors.

The leaves on the tree also turn into a beautiful bright red/orange color in autumn.

Cultivation:

Dogwood is a deciduous tree that grows well in all of Europe. The tree is relatively long-lived (50-150 years) and is very cold resistant.

Unlike many plants, dogwood thrives well in shaded locations. It should also preferably be protected from the wind. If the tree is in direct sun, the tree tends to produce increased amounts of fruit, but of a smaller size.

An optimal growing spot for the dogwood is under one or several tall deciduous trees - which provide shade and add organic matter to the soil - surrounded by additional vegetation in different (agroforestry) layers. This contributes to creating a moist, wind-sheltered and semi-shaded environment in which the dogwood thrives best. The tree's luminous flowers can also light up an otherwise shaded "grove". The dogwood has low maintenance requirements and produces large recurring harvests every year.

For the reasons mentioned above, the dogwood is an excellent tree to have in a woodland garden / food forest. If you don't have such conditions on your cultivation area, a location with morning sun and afternoon shade also works well for creating a similar environment.

Sowing:

The dogwood seeds are relatively slow-germinated.

The seeds germinate best if given a cold period of 3-4 months. But first, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for 1-2 days.

After soaking, mix the seeds with a handful of sand/peat/sowing soil and put in a plastic bag in the fridge for the above period. Check periodically if any seeds have germinated in the bag (if that's the case, sow them already). When the cold period is finished, carefully spread the contents of the bag on top of soil in a pot. With this method, germination can take a couple of months.

Alternatively, sow outdoors in autumn and protect the seed from birds or other animals that might disturb the seed. With this method, the seeds should germinate in the spring.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Shade/Semi-shade
Height: 1-3 m
Germination time: 1-12 months
USDA Zone: 5-8

SEEDS (30pcs/bag)

Common names: Black mulberry, Black mulberry tree
Scientific name: Morus nigra
Family: Moraceae

Plant history & use:

Mulberry trees are one of our oldest cultivated plants. The black mulberry tree, like the white variety, Morus alba , originates from Western Asia - on the other hand, the black mulberry tree came to Europe a couple of hundred years before the white one. The first findings of knowledge of the black mulberry tree were already around 300 BC. It could possibly be that Morus nigra originates slightly further to the south-west (closer to Europe) in West Asia than its relative Morus alba, and that this is why Morus nigra also has a slightly poorer hardiness in cold climates than its relative.

Traditionally, the black mulberry was used to make wine and make-up - thanks to its high concentration of anthocyanins which give the berry its deep dark colour. But the berries were also grown for fresh consumption.

Unlike the fruits of the white mulberry tree which can vary in color, the fruits of the black mulberry tree are always black when ripe. The black mulberry is also more acidic.

The berries are rich in antioxidants and, like mulberry leaf tea, are thought to help balance blood sugar levels. This is thanks to the content of the substance MFE, which stabilizes the blood sugar level and thus suppresses the body's sweet tooth. Therefore, mulberries are a common substitute for those who want to get rid of their sweet tooth.

Due to the berry's unusually high nutritional content, mulberry, like the goji berry , is considered a so-called "superfood".

In addition to mulberry wine, you can also make juice and jam from the berries.

Cultivation:

Withstands temperatures down to -25 ° C. The tree can grow in most soils but thrives best in loose, nutrient-rich soils. Hardy in windy coastal climates but optimal growth is given in warm, wind-sheltered locations.

Fits well as a trellis tree as the branches are easily bendable.

Mulberry trees also suit well in forest orchards as they are a popular host plant for many organisms and provide recurring harvests without major maintenance and protect plants in lower layers.

Mulberries are self-fertile, which means that only one tree is needed to bear fruit.

Prune in winter when the tree/shrub is dormant to avoid excessive "bleeding" of the tree, which is otherwise a common characteristic of mulberry plants.

The berries ripen continuously from mid-summer to early autumn.

The berries are harvested when the color has changed from red to jet black. A tip is to pick the berries with a needle to avoid them being crushed between your fingers.

Sowing:

Mulberry seeds germinate best if given a cold period of 2-3 months. To induce this, mix the seeds with a small amount of sand/peat/sowing soil and place in a plastic bag in the fridge for the above period. Check periodically if any seeds have germinated in the bag. When the cold period is over, carefully spread the contents of the bag into a pot of soil.

Alternatively, sow outdoors in February in a glass-covered seed bed or greenhouse.

It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the seeds to germinate. However, some seeds may need another 12 months to germinate.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-4 m
Germination Time: 1-12 months
USDA Zone: 5-10

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

SEEDS (15pcs/bag)

Trivial name: Carob, St. John's Bread, Locust Bean, Keration
Scientific name: Ceratonia siliqua
Family: Fabaceae

Plant history & use:

Carob is an evergreen culturally significant plant with a long history of various uses. Already thousands of years ago, Carob - as the dried bean pods are called - were used as a counterweight when weighing gold and precious stones. The kernels (seeds) inside the pod always weighed 0.2 grams and that is where the measurement carat comes from.

Carob has also been used as a cough medicine and sold as candy in pharmacies in the past. The pods have a natural sugar content of 30-50% and this is believed to be one of the reasons why they were eaten as a snack in Ancient Rome.

A known area of ​​use today is as a substitute for cocoa, in roasted and ground form. Unlike cocoa, carob is free from i.a. caffeine and theobromine.

Another common use today is the so called Locust Bean gum extracted from the seeds. Locust Bean gum is a thickener used in different foods, among others: ice cream and crème fraîche.

Carob contains many different vitamins, e.g. vitamins A and B2 and has a taste reminiscent of caramel.

Cultivation:

In its natural environment around the Mediterranean, the Carob tree grows to 10–15 meters and produces pods up to 25cm long.

In the most favored areas of Northern Europe, such as Cornwall, England, the Carob tree is reported being able to grow and overwinter outdoors. In the rest of Europe, it is best grown in pots that are outdoors during the summer and overwintered indoors. 

However, the microclimate may vary in one and the same region. The main point to consider should be that the Carob tree can withstand subzero temperatures down to about -8 ºC before the tree takes damage - if you can provide such conditions above that limit it is theoretically possible for the Carob tree to grow outdoors all year round. But it should be considered an experiment in itself and it's recommended to perform it when the tree has gained somewhat growth.

Other than that, the Carob tree is drought tolerant and thrives in well-drained/rocky soil in sunny locations. Avoid damp environments and heavy clay soils. Let the soil dry up between waterings and add nutrients during the summer months if desired.

Transplanting to a larger pot is preferably done before the taproot (the thickest main root) has grown down to the bottom. As with all plants, restricted space for taproot growth is significantly decreasing growth rate of the entire plant. 

Carob trees growing in their natural environment, the Mediterranean Basin, are high-producing trees capable of yielding 400 kilos of bean pods each year.

Sowing:

Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 3 days before sowing. Sow in sowing soil. Cover with 2 cm of soil. Keep the soil moist. Germination time is about 2-5 weeks and optimal germination temperature is 22-26 ºC.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: up to 15 m
Germination Time: 2-5 weeks

USDA Zone: 9-11

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common names: White Roselle, White Rosell hibiscus, White Sorrel
Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Family: Malvaceae

Plant history & use:

Unlike the more commonly known red roselle hibiscus, the white roselle hibiscus has green-white sepals (what is normally referred to as the "fruit" of roselle hibiscus) more deep yellow flowers and green stem. The fruits are also smaller with white roselle, but the total yield is higher than from regular red roselle.

The fruits and leaves are used in the same way as fruit and leaves from ordinary roselle - however, the juice becomes transparent / amber colored instead of the deep red color of ordinary roselle.

Hibiscus sabdariffa originated in Africa and spread from there to Asia and the Caribbean.

Most popularly used to make juice (Agua de Jamaica) from the fresh sepals, but you can also let them dry to make hibiscus tea. Dried sepals are also used as a flavoring agent for Gin. The fresh leaves can also be used as a sour addition in salads or in soups of an Asian character.

In Asia, the leaves are usually fried, made into soup or used for prepared dishes with e.g. fish, chicken and beef.

Roselle is also often used for its health-enhancing properties.

Culture:

Roselle thrives in bright locations. Grow indoors in a bright window and feel free to move outside in the summers. Alternatively, sow the seeds directly in open ground when the risk of frost is over.

Roselle is grown commercially in one-year periods. In nature, however, the plant is perennial and it can also become so when grown at home. Wintering in a bright location is a prerequisite for perennials in Sweden. Grows into a small tree / tall shrub.

Sowing:

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with small holes in it to retain moisture. Optimum temperature for rapid germination is between 25-30 ºC , but the seeds germinate even at 20+ ºC . If necessary, use a heating mat for better germination conditions.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: up to 2 meters
Germination time: 7-30 days

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common name: Yellow Goji Berry, Yellow Wolfberry, Yellow Boxthorn / Matrimony Vine
Scientific name: Lycium barbarum
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Yellow Goji Berry belongs to the same genus as the red and black goji berry and, like its relatives, is a highly nutritious berry - especially rich in vitamins and proteins. Unlike the red goji berry, yellow goji berries contain no bitter substances and also have a lower sugar content.

Yellow Goji Berries can be eaten raw as they are, mixed in a salad or dried to add as a topping to granola/cereals/müsli or baked goods. You can also simply make an infusion from them, similar to that of the black goji berry infusion.

Both yellow and black goji berries are relatively uncommon in Europe so far, so here is the chance to have something unusual and useful in your garden!

Cultivation:

Yellow Goji is a hardy shrub that can withstand many sub zero degrees and is fit for outdoor cultivation in all of Europe, even in the far north. It can be grown in the open field or in a pot. The Goji shrub grows well in both sandy and clayey soils - and everything in between, as long as the soil is well drained. It thrives in sunny locations and is relatively insensitive to drought, wind and salts.

The Goji bush has a strong root system which binds the soil effectively. Its hardy properties make it a suitable plant in maritime coastal climates with a lot of wind. Can be planted along the border of beaches to bind the sand and protect against wind.

Yellow Goji is a grateful plant that does not require much care.

The bush grows to 1-3 meters. Give the bush something to climb/grow against and it will grow faster.

Sowing:

The seeds are sown in moist soil. Cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-3 m
Germination Time: 1-3 weeks
USDA Zone: 6-9

SEEDS (20pcs/bag)

Common names: Japanese Raisin Tree, Oriental Raisin Tree, Raisin Tree, Chi-Chao Li
Scientific name: Hovenia dulcis
Family: Rhamnaceae

Plant history & use:

The Japanese Raisin Tree is a hardy tree found in Asia, from eastern China and Korea to the Himalayas where it grows at altitudes up to 2,000 m above sea level.

The fleshy, sweet and fragrant fruits are eaten raw or cooked. When dried, they take on a taste and appearance reminiscent of raisins.

An extract made from seeds, branches and young leaves can be eaten like honey and is also used to make wine and candy (Facciola, S.).

The seeds contain about 15% protein and 7.8% fat (Duke. JA & Ayensu. ES).

The raisin tree has long been used in traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese medicines to treat a variety of ailments, including hangovers (Hyun TK et al.). The fruits of the raisin tree are already mentioned in materia medica from the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century.

Modern research confirms that the flavanonol ampelopsin/dihydromyricetin (DHM), found in plants in the genera Ampelopsis and Cercidiphyllum , can reduce symptoms of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal (Reich L.).

Extracts of Hovenia dulcis are commercially available and marketed as a remedy for the after-effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

The tree is traditionally known for its health benefits when consumed in tea form.

The wood from the Raisin Tree is hard and well suited for making furniture.

Culture:

Thrives well in well-drained, sandy clay soils in a sunny and warm location. It is best protected from frost in the first few years, after which the tree can withstand temperatures down to -15°C. However, if the tree is allowed to harden off slowly to the cold, the tissue can be allowed to mature (harden) and then the tree can be hardy down to -25°C (Huxley. A.).

Avoid compact and wet soils.

The tree is considered fast-growing and usually does not grow more than 5-6 meters tall in our climate. In other parts of the world it reaches heights of up to 30 meters.

Can be topped to keep as a bush or allowed to grow to become more naturally tree-shaped.

The raisin tree is drought tolerant, but the quality of the fruit can be significantly affected if the water supply is not good. Watering 2-3 times a week is recommended during spring and summer.

The fruits usually ripen late in the season, around October. The fruits are harvested when they have dried on the tree, so there is no need for manual drying of the fruits.

The raisin tree is self-fertile and produces abundant fruit at maturity.

Sowing:

NOTE: These seeds have been stratified (cold period) and can therefore be sown immediately after receipt.

Sow the seeds in moist soil. Cover with a thin layer (about 1 cm) of soil. Keep the seeds moist.

For some seeds, germination can occur as late as a year later, i.e. another cold period later.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun / light shade
Height: 4-30 m
Germination time: 1-12 months
Growing zone: 1-4

SEEDS (30pcs/bag)

Common names: Golden Himalayan Raspberry, Golden Evergreen Raspberry, Yellow Himalayan Raspberry, Ainselu
Scientific name: Rubus ellipticus
Family: Rosaceae

Plant history & use:

The Golden Himalayan Raspberry originates from the Himalayan mountain range in Tibet and Nepal, but also grows wild at high altitudes in more southern latitudes such as Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

The berries have a sweet flavor with a pleasant level of acidity.

Nepalese farmers grow and harvest Golden Himalayan Raspberries and then ferment the berries to produce a local fruit wine.

The berries have historically been used both as food and for medicinal purposes.

Scientific studies have revealed a wealth of macronutrients, micronutrients and various minerals in the berry ( Lamichhane A, Lamichhane G et al. ). Furthermore, the Golden Himalayan Raspberry has been shown to be rich in other beneficial substances, including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins and terpenoids.

In local communities where raspberries grow wild, consumption of the berries is still practiced as in the past. The berries are sold in local markets in the Himalayan region (Manandhar. NP).

The inner bark is valued as a medicinal herb in traditional Tibetan medicine.

In forest horticulture, the plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to keep out livestock and other animals; mark land boundaries; while providing a range of medicinal and edible uses (Pankaj Sharma & Usha Devi). The plant is also useful in preventing soil erosion and for other soil conservation purposes (Manandhar. NP).

This species is also used in raspberry breeding programs, where it is crossed with certain varieties to impart its resistance to diseases and to improve its adaptability to warmer climates (Janick, J. & JN Moore).

From the berries, you can (surprisingly) extract a blue-purple dye that can be used in natural dyeing (Grae. I.).

Culture:

The Golden Himalayan Raspberry is said to be an evergreen shrub in its natural environment - possibly even in the mildest parts of our country. The shrub produces a cluster of stout, thorny, upright stems from a woody rootstock. The shrub usually grows 1-3 m tall, sometimes up to 4.5 m.

Easy to grow plant that thrives best in well-drained clay soil. Good hardiness to freezing temperatures, exact hardiness is difficult to find due to its rarity in commercial cultivation, but cases of hardiness down to -20ºC have been reported ( AK Trivedi )

More shade tolerant than many other species in the Raspberry genus (Rubus sp.). However, the best location for maximum fruit set is a sunny location.

Annual harvest from wild specimens in the Himalayas is about 750 g from a bush occupying an area of ​​2.5 m² (Parmar. C. and Kaushal. MK).

The shrub is self-fertile and pollinated by insects. New stems are produced each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems set fruit in their second year and then die off to be replaced by last year's fruit-bearing stems the following year.

Root tubers collected from plants in Java showed nitrogen-fixing activity and can be assumed to fix their own nitrogen like most plants in the Fabaceae family (MJ Van Steeniis-Kruseman).

Sowing:

NOTE: These seeds have been stratified (cold period) and can therefore be sown immediately after receipt.

Sow the seeds in moist soil. Cover with a thin layer (about 1 cm) of soil. Keep the seeds moist.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 1-4 m
Germination time: 1-3 weeks
USDA zone : 7-10
Growing zone (rough translation): 1-3

SEEDS (20pcs/bag)

SEEDS (6pcs/bag)

Common names: Himalayan Cherry Prinsepia, Chinese Prinsepia, Himalayan Wild Cherry
Scientific name: Prinsepia utilis
Family: Rosaceae

Plant history & use:

The Himalayan Cherry Principesia is a hardy shrub with edible berries, which are very popular and often eaten as a snack by the inhabitants of its native areas. The shrub is often valued for its ability to cope with conditions of lower temperatures.

Origin is traced to the Himalayas and Manchuria.

The fruits are also often used to make juice, jams, marmalades and other preserves.

The seeds are used to produce an oil that is used in cooking (Fern, K.).

Oil extracted from the seeds is also applied to muscle pain caused by overexertion (Chopra. RN et al.). The oil is also applied to the forehead and temples to treat and relieve colds (Manandhar. NP). The fruit is used in Chinese medicine.

The seed contains about 21% fatty acids (Chopra. RN et al.). In addition to being edible, it can also be used for lighting.

The oil cake (what is left after pressing the oil from the seeds) is used for washing clothes (Manandhar. NP).

A deep purple color from the fruits is also used to paint windows and walls.

The Himalayan Cherry Principesia is grown as a hedge in the Himalayas. The shrub has an extensive root system and is used in erosion prevention to bind the soil.

The Himalayan Cherry Principesia is also valued for its ability to attract pollinators.

Culture:

A thorny shrub that often stays under 2 meters in height - however, it can grow up to 5 m. At 5-10 years of age, the shrub is considered to have reached its maximum height.

Does best in slightly moist, but well-drained soil. Preferably place in a sunny, open spot with plenty of room for the shrub to spread out. The shrub can grow to about 2.5 metres wide when fully grown.

Blooms late winter and early spring. Autumn flowers may produce ripe fruit the following spring.

The Himalayan Cherry Principesia is self-fertile and pollinated by insects.

The fruits are purple-brown to deep dark blue to black-purple, oblong, about 8mm in diameter. They ripen in autumn and often survive the entire winter intact, in their natural environment.

Sowing:

NOTE: These seeds have been stratified (cold period) and can therefore be sown immediately after receipt.

Sow the seeds in moist soil. Cover with a thin layer (about 1 cm) of soil. Keep the seeds moist. It is advisable to cover the seeds with plastic with air holes, or sow in a mini greenhouse.

Features:

Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 1-5 m
Germination time: 2-12 weeks
USDA zone : 6-9
Growing zone (rough translation): 1-5

SEEDS (6pcs/bag)

Common Names: Natal Plum, Amathungulu, Large Num-Num
Scientific name: Carissa macrocarpa (syn. C. grandiflora )
Family: Apocynaceae 

Plant history & use:

The Natal plum is a fascinating shrub with its roots in subtropical regions. It is a shrub that charms with its beautiful white flowers and entices with its red, juicy fruits. The tree has received its Swedish trivial name "Natalplommon" due to its origin in the Natal region of South Africa.

The natal plum is not only a beautiful shrub but also offers a range of uses. Its red fruits are edible and have a sweet and juicy taste. These fruits can be eaten directly or used in jams, marmalades and other delicious desserts. In addition, they are used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits.

The interesting shrub also has the ability to contribute to the surrounding environment. Its deep roots help improve soil structure and can help keep erosion-prone areas in check. Its flowering also attracts pollinating insects and is a welcome feature for biodiversity.

Natal plums bloom and bear fruit for a large part of the season. The fruits are filled with vitamin C.

Suitable for growing as an edible hedge in sunny and favorable places.

Cultivation:

Natal plums thrive best in a warm and sunny environment with good drainage. It also copes with semi-shady and shady locations. It is a relatively hardy tree and can survive short periods of drought. It can also handle a couple of minus degrees, so cultivation in the ground with winter cover in warmer parts of the country can work. Alternatively, move in over the winter.

For growing in a pot, it is important to use a well-drained soil to avoid water stagnation that can damage the roots.

Within its natural climatic limits, the Natal plum is an evergreen shrub.

Sowing: 

Sow the seeds in moist soil and cover with a 1 cm layer of soil. Place bright and keep the seed moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun / Partial shade / Shade
Height: 1-2 m
Germination Time: 2-4 weeks

SEEDS (5pcs/bag)

Common names: Cannonball tree, Ayahuma, Naga Linga
Scientific name: Couroupita guianensis
Family: Lecythidaceae

Plant history & use:

The Cannonball Tree is a peculiar tree of tropical origin. It's often grown in both Buddhist and Hindu temples and is seen as a holy tree. The Hindu name Naga (= snake-like) comes from the fact that the flower seems to resemble a gaping snake. The common English name Cannonball refers to the tree's fruits, which actually become so large and heavy that they resemble cannonballs.

The tree is colorful and bears an unimaginable number of flowers - up to 1000 in one and the same day - in its natural environment. The flowers have a strong, pleasant fragrance that is best described as a mixture of lilac and peony. The fruits have an even more distinct, many times less popular scent. Despite this, the fruit is used for edible purposes.

Traditionally, the outer shells are used to make utensils and bowls. In traditional medicine, both leaves, flowers, pulp and bark are used to cure various ailments. The tree has been well used by many cultures on different locations on earth, ranging from the Amazon rainforest tribes to ancient China.

Cultivation:

In nature, C. guianensis grows along rivers and swamps. But it also does well in drier soils. The tree thrives in sunny locations and young plants grow quickly in favorable conditions. The Cannonball tree can grow tens of meters high in its native environment.

In Southern Europe, around the coastal regions of Spain, Italy, Albania, Greece and Turkey, C. guianensis can be grown outdoors all year round.

In Northern & Central Europe, you can easily grow this tree in a pot, which is placed outdoors in summertime. During the winter months, it can be good to place a humidifier nearby to create the best environmental conditions possible.

The tree can be propagated via cuttings.

Sowing:

Seeds from C. guianensis have a short shelf life and should be sown as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the seeds should be kept moderately moist. (For this reason, the seeds are delivered in slightly moist coconut fiber).

Sow about 1 cm deep in moist soil and keep the soil moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun/Part shade
Height: 2-30 m
Germination Time: 8-60 days
USDA Zone: 10-12