Hints of spring have us all thinking of our gardens about now. In my case thinking is as far as I’ve gotten…

Meanwhile, do you ever wonder who actually sits down and designs things like seed packets? What a charming assignment it would be, and clearly is to those who do it. Until March 8 the Horticultural Society of New York is exhibiting Art of the Heirloom: Cultural Seed Savers the original art of some 26 seed packet designs courtesy of the Hudson Valley Seed Library, which is a whole very cool thing in itself. Worth a gander if you’re in the ‘hood, or here. And see bottom of post for an important update as of 3 March.

Okay the seeds of art… Teddy Bears sunflowers have round fluffy faces. You may have put that together on your own if you didn’t already know it.

The Hort will also have the seeds for sale. Now is the time.

Echinacea is a pretty pink daisy-like flower that also helps prevent colds — in pill form. Do not eat the flower itself. I don’t think. But maybe you could? Someone?

The Panther Edamame seems to have been in a sort of William Morris mood.

The implication here is that butternut squash is for cat lovers.

No comment.

This guy is starting out with designing seed packets but but will clearly move on to surf boards and Hawaiian shirts in no time.

I’m not sure what constitutes a “Champion Collard,” but I would go with it, even into the Matrix.

By the way do you know about Margaret Roach’s A Way to Garden blog? It’s great. Even if you don’t know a collard from a catfish, you’ll like it, and learn. [UPDATE on March 4: See Margaret’s response in the comments – and also see her post that includes links to her piece in the March 3 New York Times about buying seeds and info on a lecture by Hudson Valley Seed’s Ken Greene.]

I don’t know how I came up with “a collard from a catfish.”

And while we’re on the “C’s”, chamomile has a lively color combination. Would be fun for a summery room.

The Hort is at 147 West 38th Street, 13th floor, 212-797-0915, and admission is free! Open Monday – Friday.