Many if not most, seeds are from the U.K. Try Thompson and Morgan and some seed companies in the U.K. online. The cuttings depend upon the type and which state you live in. In CA we are very restricted on what we let in due to state agricultural laws.

You can legally import almost any plant material (seeds, cuttings, bulbs, etc.) if you have a Phytosanitary Certificate with them. Obviously, this is meant for commercial companies/quantities, and so is expensive. You can also import seeds from the UK if you get a special import permit for Small Lots of Seed. It is your responsibility to get this (it is free), and it enables you to import any number of lots of up to 50 packets of 50 seeds at a time, over a period of three years. Details are on your APHIS website and a more informal explanation on this website:

http://theseedsite.co.uk/aphis.html

Many large suppliers in the UK will send orders to the US if you send them the Permit. Many others will take the chance and send them without the Permit - but you run the risk of having them all confiscated by your Customs.

PS - Many people over here consider T&M seeds to be overpriced with poor germination, and prefer Chiltern Seeds.

Here is a link that might be useful: APHIS Small Lots of Seed

If you are only just starting your garden, I would have thoght that most of the basic stuff would be available in the US anyway.

Some of the quality of seed is not the same, flora uk. I import seeds from England (or my cousins send them to me), but only because of the superb quailty of the seeds in question. Sometimes you have to import to get the best!

Thanks soo much for all the advice and comments! I started my plants last spring, so it will be this year before I see blooms on some things like my foxgloves and hollyhocks... I can't wait!! Most of my others I saved seed from to start in my greenhouse this year. So will try all advice and tip from ya'll. Thanks again... Jeni

Please let us know the brand of these wonderful English seeds because most of the seeds I buy are pretty rubbish with very disappointing germination rates. The best quality ones are generally seeds I've saved from my own garden. What is it about the British seeds you have bought which makes them superior to any US ones?

Sorry, did not mean to upset you. It seems I don't have to say much, do I? Even compliments go wrong.

Hi Hopflower,
Sorry, I did come over a bit snippy. I don't want to offend you - many apologies. But I really do find seed results disappointing, and I'm told that the best seed is from trade companies and is normally not available to the amateur home gardener. I like imported seed too, mainly to get varieties unavailable in the UK.

Thank you. I did not mean any harm; just that I have reasons for feeling the way that I do. I agree, garden nerd. I order (from a specialist grower) most of my sweet peas. I have also noticed that Thompson & Morgan are not quite as good as they used to be and I have heard that others have had the same experiences with germination problems. So far I have been able to say that this has not happened to me; but I do not like the catalogue as much as I used to. For some reason, they are not listing their goods like they used to, and too many pat little headlines are being used to market the goods. An example is their lathyrus section. There used to be many choices, now there are a few that are mixed and called names like "Bright and Breezy", or the like! I suppose this does not matter to those people who wish to grow a few vines in the garden, but for those of us who are nearly fanatic on them it can be frustrating. I like to know the correct varietal names of my peas. There are a few single varieties listed; but not near the choice that there was a few years ago. At any rate, I agree about Chiltern as well. Fine company; but T&M used to be quality as well. Also, I have noticed that due to so many restrictions the choices have gone down. We cannot get somniferum here anymore due to silly laws (U.S.)about opium availability; at least they will not send them to us in CA. Due to cost, most Unwin selections are not available, either. I used to order from Bolton's. Now since the family has had changes; they no longer market the way they used to and have merged with Unwin's in a way. I used to get the most charming letters from Mr Bolton himself and a beautiful catalogue full of the most tempting peas!

England has always been famous for the best seed in the world. Now that the newer generation is coming up and taking over; this may not be so anymore. Apathy is now everywhere. I have seen the changes there as I have here in America. But you are correct, most of the best seed is not readily available to the home amateur.

Thank you, Hopflower, I am glad that we have made up! I like Chiltern's also, for the variety, but I stilhave packets which just don't germinate, or poorly, from them. Also, I like to note down seeds of interesting or unusual plants if I read about them, and despite their large catalogue thy often don't have them.
I have bought seeds recently from this seller on eBay. He/she stocks lots of exotic stuff, sent from India so it is largly tropical, but, hey, I'll have a go at anything! Even with postage from India, it is really good value. Has anyone any experience of eBay buying?
Re sweet pea seeds,I can understand your frustration - can specialist societies help out with seed provision?

Here is a link that might be useful: 50 + Seeds Of Dolichos lablab (Hyacinth bean)

Yes. I have never bought seed from ebay. Could not tell you anything about any experiences with that; although I have traded with a few people here and had great results.

I buy sweet pea seed from English specialists. There is none better; and they supply most of the world for international (and national) shows. In fact, they used to supply me and I would resell here, but when they got credit card transaction availability for the customer there really was no point to it anymore. There are a couple of small U.S. sellers who retail them; but they get the seed exactly where I did and still do in some cases. They are just brokers and do not grow it themselves.

In America there is no Sweet Peas Society like there is in England, and of which I am a member. They, too, list the suppliers I buy from and who grow the freshest and finest sweet pea seed in the world. But you are right, the seeds are not available except in their own catalogues.

If you wish, I would be glad to see if I can send you anything you might be interested in from here in California. I am used to sending to England as I have family there. Many things are allowed to be sent, so let me know if you have any particular interest.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I will peruse the site you just sent me! Thank you. :)

Hi Everyone - I am a newbie on this site but so far I think it is tops.

Hopflower, I too am a fanatical sweetpea grower or at least, I would like to be but conditons here in central Ontario, near Georgian Bay, are far from ideal and I am lucky if I get any flowers at all some years. But I do keep on trying. I'm from Scotland originally, over fifty years ago, but the sight and smell of sweetpeas take me "home" for a while each year!

I'm going to look for some of those specialists you talked about. I too am not very happy with T & M, although I thought it was just my not-so-green thumb that was at fault when germination was poor. Don't know that I am too happy to think that I am throwing my pension money out the window. However, I have ordered again from them so we'll see. If they get enough complaints they might smarten up, y'think? I suppose if their suppliers, from all over the world, drop their standards, they are between the old rock and a hard place....

Happy seed-starting, everyone, when the time comes...

Ok, sweetpea; you know Scotland has their own Sweet Pea Society and grows some of the best in the world. They also have made a huge contribution to the lathyrus world, in that Hendry Eckford was a Scot who greatly defined a lot of sweet peas we have today. He developed the Grandifloras for instance, a few of which remain as some of the most fragrant ones available. Black Knight is one; so is Lady Grisel Hamilton, and also Dorothy Eckford; named for his wife.

If I remember correctly, Dobbie and Son were Scottish growers, too.

I will give you some links: Look around on some of these. Lots of wonderful seed and I know a few of these growers personally. They are wonderful, talented people and more than happy to share their knowledge.

http://www.lathyrus.com/

http://www.rpsweetpeas.co.uk/

http://www.snsprcs.org.uk/

Please let me know what you think.

Here is a link that might be useful: Owl's Acre Sweet Peas

Thanks, Hopflower, how thoughtful of you! I will get back to you later after I have had a look-see at those sites.
Re Dobbie and Sons - On most of my trips back to Scotland to see my family we would make a visit to Dobbie's as their Edinburgh branch was only a short drive away from us. What a wonderful place! I always brought loads of seeds home with me to Canada. I did hear, however, that they had sold the business to a major company so no doubt it will not be the same. I must remember to ask my sister next time I call her if she notices anything different.

I was home in August of 2006 and my sister grew sweet peas specially for me - I was greeted by the scent, from a huge bunch she put in my bedroom. Lovely!!

I only get sparse results here in this neck of the woods but I love each and every blossom that has the courage to bloom!

Take care, all.

My mother was Scottish, she was a Cross and her mother was a Douglas. There are lots of pictures of Luss Scotland on google images, I found this page: I have a niece who lives in Scotland now. Do you know how to save pictures from the web? I have a program that came with a low cost digital camera.

Here is a link that might be useful: bbc news in pictures

Sorry the link I posted didn't work this one will. I also sent this to your email address.

Here is a link that might be useful: bbc news in pictures

I would agree that if you are only just starting your garden, most of the basic stuff would be available in the US anyway. However you could always try ebay...

Are you planning to do any pot planting?

I found a site that would be useful if you are intending on using planters.

Here is a link that might be useful: Passion for Pots