Jewels of Opar (Fameflower)

Edible succulent green foliage with attractive sprays of pink star-shaped flowers followed by bright red-orange jewel-like seed pods that eventually burst and self-sow easily. Many use the flowers in late summer and autumn bouquets. The leaves are edible like Malabar Spinach, and the seeds are tiny but a great source of omega-3s. The blooms attract and feed many pollinators. Named for Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1916 book "Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar." Days to maturity: 40 Seeds per pack: 100 Germination rate: 79% on 12/31/2024 Planting / harvesting notes These drought- and heat-tolerant plants prefer full sun/partial shade. Some say to sow these indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting, to harden them off, and to transplant on a cloudy day. Starting them indoors allows them to grow larger to better out compete faster growing spring weeds . Some say to sow them in later winter/spring directly in the garden to break winter dormancy. Others say to sow them after the soil has warmed above 60 de