British seed catalogues - 2000 Thompson & Morgan Seeds Producing the largest full flower seed catalogue in the world and with an extensive range of new varieties every year T&M are always innovative. They now have an extensive plant breeding operation and many of their latest introductions are from their own breeding &endash; they even sell varieties they've bred themselves to their competitors. T&M were also the first, and are still the only, big British seed company to put their whole catalogue on the web with secure online ordering. On average, their seeds are probably a little more expensive than comparable varieties from other companies but they have more varieties that are available from no one else including unusual species annuals and separate colours not usually available elsewhere. They have a huge list of new introductions for 2000. Their plant of the year is an Oriental Poppy from seed, 'Coral Reef', and other top newcomers include the opium poppy 'Seriously Scarlet', and two new California poppies (Eschscholtzia) a trailing variety, 'Golden Tears', and a fluted one in rose shades, 'Champagne and Roses'. They have some especially good delphiniums 'New Zealand Hybrids', bred by top delphinium breeder Terry Dowdeswell and a stunning, Verbascum 'Copper Rose'. The T&M vegetable list has been updated too, they have the first Iceberg type with resistance to aphids, 'Fortnuas' and 'Orange Plum' with unusually high levels of Vitamins A and D. T&M are known for their for their pioneering approach to new introductions and although they test all their varieties on the trial grounds, some varieties creep through which might have been rejected after longer testing. But this is the catalogue for more genuine newcomers than anyone else. Best new T&M variety for 2000: Opium poppy 'Seriously Scarlet Next best T&M newcomers: Begonia 'Non Stop Rose Petticoat', Petunia 'Double Cascade Burgundy Plum Vein', Eschscholtzia 'Golden Tears'. But think twice about: Viola 'Penny Orchid Frost' The name sounds wonderful, but it's actually rather a murky colour. To order a free catalogue: Ring 01473 601090 or write to Thompson & Morgan seeds, poplar Lane, Ipswich, IP8 3PU. Overseas: There is an American version of the catalogue, available by calling 1-800-274-7333. Postage: 75p on all orders. UK only. Website: http://www.thompson-morgan.com (choose between UK and US versions) Email: tmuk@thompson-morgan.com Full list of T&M new flowers Adenophora hybrida 'Amethyst' Antirrhinum 'La Bella Red & White' Antirrhinum 'Purple & White Bells' Antirrhinum 'Royal Bride' Begonia 'Nonstop Rose Petticoat' Calaminthe canescens Calceolaria alba Calendula 'Apricots and Oranges' Calendula 'Kablouna Apricot' Campanula 'Dwarf Double Melton Bells Mixed' Campanula thyrsoides Catheranthus 'Mediterranean Lilac' Centaurea 'Frosted Queen' Centaurea 'Mauve Queen' Cineraria 'Jester Scarlet' Cisanthe grandiflora Cosmos 'Polidor' Cyclamen 'Whirlygig Mixed' Delphinium 'New Zealand Hybrids' Delphinium nudicale 'Laurin' Dianthus 'Russian Skies' Diascia 'Apricot Queen' Digitalis purpurea ssp. heywoodii 'Hallmark' Dracocephalum scrobiculatum Eschscholzia 'Champagne and Roses' Eschscholzia 'Purple Cap' Eschscholzia maritima 'Golden Tears' Eschscholzia mexicana 'Sun Shades' Eucomis hybrids 'Mixed' Geranium 'Horizon Coral Spice' Geranium 'Summer Showers Burgundy' Godetia 'Summer Paradise' Godetia 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' Hellebore foetidus 'Variegata' Heteropappus meyendorffii (The Blue Chryanthemum) Heuchera 'New Hybrids' Hibiscus radiatus Iberis 'Appleblossom' Illecebrum verticillatum Impatiens 'Cajun Unimix' Impatiens 'Double Carousel Mixed' Kniphofia rooperi Lapageria rosea 'Nube Blanca' Larkspur 'Sublime Bicolour Blue & White' Lobelia 'Paper Moon' Lysimachia atropurpurea Marigold (African) 'Odourless Mixed' Marigold (French) 'Durango Red' Mirabilis jalapa 'Broken Colours' Oenthera 'Apricot Delight' Osteospermum 'Passion Mixed' Osteospermum 'Pastel Silks' Pansy 'Impressions Blue Shades' Pansy 'Impressions Shades of Rose' Pansy 'Lilac Frost' Pansy 'Sugared Almonds' Papaver 'Cedric Morris' Papaver orientale 'Brilliant' Papaver orientale 'Coral Reef' Papaver somniferum 'Queen's Poppy' Papaver somniferum 'Seriously Scarlet' Paracaryum coelestinum Penstemon 'Navigator' Petunia 'Double Cascade Burgundy Plum Vein' Petunia 'Dreams Midnight Blue' Petunia 'Titan Series' Phlox 'Mount Hampden' Polyanthus 'Discovering Stripes Mixed' Potentilla ' Helen Jane' Sanvitalia procumbens 'Orange Sprite' Scabious 'Salmon Queen' Schizanthus grahamii Schizanthus hookerii Sedum ussurience Senecio polypodon Solanum biflorum 'Autumn Glory' Spilanthes oleracea Stachys monnieri 'Saharan Pink' Stock 'Tudor Tapestry' Sweet pea 'Bright & Breezy' Sweet pea 'Lilac Shades' Sweet pea 'Orange Dragon' Sweet William 'Ruby Moon' Talinum calycinum Thalictrum delavayi Tithonia rotundifolia 'Arcadian Blend' Verbascum 'Banana Custard' Verbascum 'Copper Rose' Veronica spicata 'Blue Carpet' Viola 'Miniola Ice Blue Heart' Viola 'Penny Orchid Frost' Viola 'Velour Purple Wings' Viola jooi Viola pumila  New British seed catalogues for 2000   ©copyright 1998 Graham Rice. 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