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We are seeking feedback about your experiences with our germinating seeds to help with education and outreach efforts. Please complete this short survey. Please wait several months after sowing your seeds before completing the survey.
This page will help you make selections about which plants to grow/seeds to obtain at the library:
1. Plant profiles-detailed profiles of each plant in the seed library
2. Plant lists-to identify plants in the seed library that meet specific criteria, such as those that attract hummingbirds
Note: not all seeds are available at all seed library locations at all times, but the pages stay up for educational purposes. If you are looking for seeds for a specific plant, please call ahead to the seed library location you plan to visit.
In the tabs above are descriptions for each plant in the seed library including its germination and cultivation needs as well as its wildlife benefits. Plants can be found alphabetically by common name within the category that best describes them.
Annuals-plants that complete their lifecycle in one growing season (germinate, grow, bloom, set seed, die)
Grasses-Flowering plants with narrow leaves. Sonoran desert native grasses tend to be bunch grasses.
Perennial-A plant with a lifecycle that is longer than two years.
Shrub-somewhat woody plants generally between 2-15 feet tall and without a central stem (i.e. usually multiple branched)
Subshrub-small shrubs, generally defined as smaller than two feet tall.
Trees-woody plants generally taller than 15 feet and have a central stalk
Vines-climbing plants
Groundcovers-plants that tend to grow low across the ground
Some plants can function as either vines or groundcovers, depending on how they are grown.
Globe mallow, Danielle Carlock.
Red admiral butterfly nectaring at brittlebush. Danielle Carlock
Hartweg's twinevine. Danielle Carlock
Hummingbird visiting Parry's Penstemon. Danielle Carlock
Pink fairy duster. Danielle Carlock.
Chocolate flower. Danielle Carlock
Shrubby deervetch. Jeny Davis. Used with permission.