Early to mid- February is a good time for us, in cold Northern Hemisphere regions, to start seeds under indoor lighting. This way, by late April-May the seedlings can be acclimatized outdoors, and in some cases planted in the ground during the summer (fast growing species). Gaining 2-3 month of growth for our short season is a big plus!
This is an update of a 2022 post with few updates; also posted it in the Germination page now.
I have written about indoor sowing with other occasions, but a reminder is always good.
‘Warm germinators’ is the term used in the BotanyCa catalogue to describe the dry seeds that will germinate at room temperature (+/- 17-21C) after a certain period of time (a few days to a few weeks).
Many species will germinate easily after a regular sowing, others require various treatments before sowing in order to germinate at warm.
I think it is a very good method especially for various rockery species which benefit from being planted in the ground at a young stage (various Arenaria, Bukiniczia, Campanula, Dianthus, Draba, Edraianthus Silene, Anthemis, Hedysarum, Oxytropis, Papaver species).
When started in February, they can be ready for planting in the ground by June; some may even produce a flower or two!
Draba haynaldii seedlings by April
What treatments are used for various species, when starting them indoors?
Acid gibberellic treatment – an easy way to prepare a solution: Here
Hot water treatment for species with hard seedcoats: Here
Soaking and nicking the seeds, as well for hard seedcoats: Here
More advice for sowing small/fine seeds: Here
With so many light systems available nowadays, it is worth to try sowing and growing indoors a few species. It is most rewarding and also therapeutic to grow something new during the winter months! Start with just 4-6 species if you are new at this. They will be perfect for a small trial-out ‘rock container’ planting in the summer.
You know the concept of going to do the grocery when you are not hungry, right? Your ‘plants budget’ will certainly improve when the garden centers start offering perennials in late spring!
*It can happen that species given as ‘warm germinators’ to not ‘comply’ to the rule, and vice-versa, ‘cold germinators’ starting to germinate at room temperature. Every year there is a new surprise. The source of seeds: wild coll. versus garden coll., growing conditions of the mother-plants and other factors, all can influence the germination pattern.
If a known ‘warm germinator’ refuses to comply, move the pot in cold location for 3-4 weeks (fridge OK) and then return it to room temperature. No matter what, it is best to keep your pots for 2-3 years if possible; some seeds can enter a second dormancy and will need multiple alternate cycles of cold/warm for germination.
What can we start indoors?
Glaucidium palmatum (older) seeds germination after GA3 treatment, Feb. 13, 2023.
The list below is not exclusive and it only contains cold hardy genera/species that I have personally germinated over the years at room temperature. I made notes for the species that I have started using GA3 (by habit, otherwise use cold/moist stratification) and those that will germinate best and faster if using a HWT (hot water treatment).
I recently included in the list Glaucidium palmatum – I just treated older seeds (2018/2019) with GA3 and there is almost 100% germination! It is not a fast growing species, but easy to germinate; the same goes for Podophyllum hexandrum.
Some of the species can be found in the SEEDS LIST.
Acinos alpinus
Allium thunbergii and few other Allium
Aquilegia species (with GA3)
Amphicarpaea
Arenaria
Arabis species
Androsace some species
Anthemis carpatica and other Anthemis species
Arisaema triphyllum and other Arisaema
Artemisia
Astragalus (HWT)
Asphodeline lutea, A. taurica
Aster alpinus
Aurinia saxatilis
Baptisia australis (HWT)
Berkheya purpurea
Bukiniczia cabulica
Campanula (C. rotundifolia, bellidifolia, persicifolia, carpatica…)
Caragana (HWT)
Carlina acaulis
Calycanthus floridus (nicking)
Centaurea triumfettii, C. orientalis, Centaurea jankae
Cerastium alpinum ssp. lanatum
Cercis canadensis
Cirsium canum, Cirsium edule
Clematis alpina and other Clematis (some slow to germinate)
Draba, most species
Delphinium grandiflorum and other Delphinium species
Dianthus nardiformis
Dianthus superbus ssp. sajanensis, most other Dianthus species
Echinops crispus and other Echinops
Edraianthus graminifolius and other Edraianthus (not all species though)
Erinus alpinus
Erigeron spp.
Gypsophila spp.
Glaucidium palmatum (with GA3)
Hedysarum (HWT)
Hieracium lanatum
Ipomopsis
Iris dichotoma
Iris domestica
Incarvillea
Jurinea mollis
Kernera saxatilis
Lathyrus (HWT)
Lilium formosanum var.pricei
Linaria spp.
Lychnis ssp.
Erythranthe guttata
Matthiola
Minuartia, most species
Monarda
Oxytropis (HWT)
Odontarrhena obtusifolia
Papaver species
Paronychia
Phyteuma orbiculare and other Phyteuma species
Platycodon
Podophyllum hexandrum (with GA3)
Polemonium
Potentilla (most species)
Primula japonica and other Primula spp. (some exceptions)
Pulsatilla vulgaris, other species, hybrids,
Rhododendron species
Roscoea species
Ruta graveolens
Salvia, various species
Sedum ssp. and Sempervivums
Silene species
Scabiosa caucasica, other Scabiosa spp.
Scutellaria pontica
Symphyandra
Syneilesis (if the seeds are good!)
Thermopsis (HWT)
Thalictrum cf. foetidum, few others (with GA3)
Thymus species
Viola – some species
Wash your pots (best practice for indoor sowing), prepare a sowing mix, labels, the seeds and then go! Start first with those species which take longer to germinate (or unknown) and leave the very fast germinators for early March (for example Papaver, Silene species).
Are you ready? Start sowing – the winter will be over in a blink of an eye and our gardens in bloom again :)
You can also find more ‘warm germinators’ by checking out the Germination guide of the Ontario Rock Garden & HP Society page: Here
Hepatica page
Wildflowers of North AmericaThe subpage with Hepatica names and coll. numbers has been updated.
For H. acutiloba, there is just one new addition: a light pink maiden form with multipetal tendency, called ‘Maiden Blush’. The cross pollination is made easier in this case, by only having to brush pollen from another Hepatica on the stigma. There is also a new, pink addition on the Intermediate forms subpage page.
The Hepatica page (top right menu) has a dropdown menu, where you can choose one from the 6 subpages. Small updates have been done to the other subpages as well. I encourage all customers who purchased seeds in the previous years (and not only) to have a look, especially at the Seeds & Germination and Transplanting subpages. I know that everyone awaits with impatience to see the newly germinating seedlings this spring, including myself (keep in mind that sometimes we have to wait one more year though).
BotanyCa Hepatica page
BotanyCa – Hepatica subpages
For those not familiar with them, Hepatica species are among the first spring flowers in the Northern Hemisphere. The flower buds are formed in the previous year and lay in waiting for the spring warm up and the first rays of sunshine. Of course there is much more to know and learn about the queens of the woodlands.
We are all prepared now for the new Hepatica season :)
From the garden spots reached by the sun the first Hepatica japonica and Hepatica transsilvanica flowers are already greeting us.
The thought of bloom – Hepatica americana names
Wildflowers of North AmericaThe melting of the snow in some areas brought to light a few Hepatica leaves in the garden. Among a small pile of pots and containers, the first buds of various seedlings and Hepatica japonica are trying to reach for the sun.
Coincidentally, I am working to update the Hepatica pages, especially assigning collection numbers or names to worthy specimens. The page is not entirely redone yet, but I know that almost everyone is thinking about flowers now, so it is nice to review a few of them :)
Collection numbers and/or names must be kept for records and future references. I am of the opinion that, for genera displaying a large variability like Hepatica, not every single plant must be named. But there are a few ‘special’ ones standing out from the crowd.
I present the newly named Hepatica americana for now, before I am done with all updatings:
Hepatica americana offered as fo. diversiloba in 2022 was named ‘Harlequin’. There is no formal name published/accepted for fo. diversiloba, plus there may be others with different flowers. On this single specimen, besides the leaves with extra lobes, the flowers are variously colored: white or pink or white with pink flushes.
Hepatica americana ‘Harlequin’
Hepatica americana ‘Harlequin’ foliage
Hepatica americana deep purple of last year was named ‘Purplelicious’. The gorgeous Hepatica americana multipetal white, also a 2022 offering, was named ‘Mihail’.
Hepatica americana ‘Purplelicious’ 2021
Hepatica americana ‘Mihail’
To review a couple of ‘old’ ones:
Hepatica americana ‘Apple Blossoms’ (offered for a couple of years as H. americana white-pink flares).
And the now famous Hepatica americana ‘#1’. Few seedlings flowered last spring resembling well the mother-plant :)
Hepatica americana ‘Apple Blossoms’
Hepatica americana ‘Apple Blossoms’
Hepatica americana ‘#1’
Hepatica americana ‘#1’ seedlings, 2022
! There is no guarantee that Hepatica seeds will be collected/available this spring (late May-June), because I intend to do more controlled pollinations and make re-arrangements in the Hepatica collection. It all depends very much on the weather.!
HWT remainder
PropagationI had a look at what I was writing in March a few years ago, and in a few years it was about the Hot water treatment. I usually do a few species using this easy germination technique in March; it is a good time for a remainder.
Astragalus purshii ssp. tinctus seeds
If you have species from the Fabaceae family that you want to try, most of them are easy to germinate using the hot water treatment (HWT). The seeds have a simple physical dormancy, but their very hard seedcoats inhibit the water imbibition, which is crucial for the germination initiation. See all the links below.
This time, I will be trying the new Astragalus purshii ssp. tinctus (Woolly-pod milkvetch); it is hard to resist the woolly foliage aspect, plus a redo for Hedysarum grandiflorum, which I had, and it even flowered before I had the unfortunate idea to move it to a ‘better’ place… Most of these species do not enjoy transplanting, regardless if young or mature plants.
Continuing the sowing: in hot water
Updates for the hot water treatment
FAQ – hot water treatment
HWT
Garden wise, it is snowing, again…Despite this, more and more snowdrops tired of waiting for the spring are flowering (or trying to do so).
March & August
PropagationMarch marks the arrival of spring in many regions of the world. Here, the arrival of more snow…True that there are few snowdrops in flower – partially under the snow!
However, no matter how much snow is falling, the daylight is getting longer, new seeds are germinating, and the seedling are growing :)
Not so long ago, I gave an update on Jurinea germination; right now the seedlings are already pricked out. Same goes for Polygala major and Ipomopsis rubra. Various others will follow shortly.
Jurinea mollis seedlings
Polygala major seedlings
Sanguisorba canadensis seedlings
Glaucidium palmatum seedlings – first stage growth with cotyledon leaves
The last experiment with older Glaucidium seeds have gone extremely well and now I am looking at 10 pots with seedlings! I didn’t have the heart to throw away the germinated seeds. I am sure ‘adoptive parents’ will be found.
I never want to hear again about Glaucidium seeds being hard to germinate…
Note: Some of the seedlings will remain at the cotyledon stage during the first year, and some will put up true leaves. They are best NOT to be pricked out; keep them growing well as long as possible because during this time they mostly ‘work’ on growing their roots. At some point the cotyledon leaves will vanish (the seedlings are not dead!). After a short ‘pause’, some will grow true leaves, some may wait until late in the season or next year.
Remembering the last year garden –
Last time we started to remember August 2022, with Eupatorium & the solitary wasps. Other species to note from August, this time on the disappointing side, Sanguisorba canadensis, Canadian Burnet, which had an outstanding flowering, but alas, no seeds
were formed. But do not despair, from a stash of older seeds, a few have germinated and I will try to add another plant with a different genotype to the mix. I don’t understand why this lovely, native species (in Eastern Canada) is not cultivated more, and/or seeds collected.
From the featured top picture, we have the positive side with the hybrid Gentiana paradoxa x septemfida smiling. There were even a few seeds (for friends), hopefully more will be available this fall. Most likely there is cross pollination with a true Gentiana paradoxa which is growing nearby, but even so, for the better. It is a great Gentiana to have for late summer flowering. The hybrids are very vigorous and take well our hot & humid summers.
For those feeling blue – don’t forget this is a great time to start indoor various easy to germinate species. Time will fly taking care of the seedlings and when spring arrives they will be large enough for outdoor acclimation. Plus, you won’t start roaming the garden centers with a hungry heart ;)
Eupatorium & solitary wasps
Wildflowers of North AmericaContinuing the last year’s review – the first picture from the August folder is a Waist-threaded wasp feeding on Eupatorium
perfoliatum. It seems that the Common Boneset is a powerful attractant of various solitary wasps, besides other pollinators. Last summer I started to do a little ‘inventory’; I missed a few but there is always the next summer!
For those already cringing at the word ‘wasp’ – there are many species of solitary wasps native to Ontario and elsewhere, which do not have an aggressive behaviour and serve an important role as pollinators. Plus, they also contribute to reducing the populations of various caterpillars, spiders, and other not so beneficial insects from your garden!
They are not easy to identify at species level, but at least they can be assigned to a particular genus within a family or subfamily (https://ncipmhort.cfans.umn.edu/bees#sectionb, http://www.toronto-wildlife.com/Insects/Bees_Wasps/Wasps/wasps.html ). For example, the large group of Threaded-waist wasps (with narrow or threadlike waists) are very easy to recognize. They are typically large in size and prey on various insects and spiders.
The Threaded-waist wasps belong to the larger group of so called mud daubers (Specidae, Crabronidae); the name is used because they all build their nests from mud. Mud daubers capture and place paralyzed spiders or caterpillars in the nest cells as food for their young.
Great Golden Digger Wasp on Eupatorium perfoliatum
Sand wasp on Eupatorium
Five banded Thynnid Wasp on Eupatorium
Grass Carrying wasp on Eupatorium
Waist-threaded wasp August 1, Eupatorium
Wasp or bee – no ID
Others like the Grass-carrying wasps (Isodontia), prefer to lay their eggs in nests above ground (hollow plant stems, abandoned galleries and other similar locations). Females carry blades of grass to their nests to prepare the brood cells where they also place ‘tranquilized’ tree crickets wrapped in grass for the future larvae to feed on: more cool pictures.
Along with these wasps, there is a whole micro-ecosystem built around the Boneset tiny, fragrant flowers: lie-in-wait predators like praying spiders and ambush bugs, bumblebees, butterflies, sweat bees and many others.
It is a fascinating spectacle!
Bumblebee
Ambush bug on Eupatorium
Spider on Eupatorium
Following the food chain, many birds and small mammals prey on the adult wasps too, and other insects can parasitize the wasps ground nests and/or eating their eggs, larvae or the spiders placed there as food.
We rarely think about the impact a single plant has on the garden ecosystem, don’t we?!
Remembering July & seedlings
PropagationJust a few highlights for a cold and icy Friday, provided by the ‘not so small’ inhabitants of the garden. In the sunny, dry side there are always Delphinium fissum, Delphinium albiflorum and Crocosmia, Centaurea orientalis; in part-shade, a couple of Aconitums and Acanthus hungaricus, plus the first time flowering last summer – Angelica capitellata. Towards the wet side (wet – sort of speaking) Eupatorium perfoliatum and Zigadenus elegans ssp. glaucus (this one has increased in size quite nicely).
Delphinium albiflorum, July 2022
Delphinium fissum
Angelica capitellata, Ranger’s button
Zigadenus elegans ssp. glaucus, July 2022
All these species are great pollinator plants with a long flowering time, extended into August. Ipomopsis rubra has been missing from the garden last summer and I’m taking ‘action’.
The ‘germinator’ starts to green up at the moment. From the tried and tested: Ipomopsis rubra, Polygala major, Draba haynaldii. From the new & easy to try for the rockery: Arabis androsacea, Gypsophila cerastioides, Silene turgida and few others.
Ipomopsis rubra, Feb. 17, 2023
Polygala major seedlings, 2023
Draba haynaldii, 2023
Gypsophila cerastioides, 2023
With GA3: Gentiana asclepiadea – excellent germination (see how to prepare a GA3 solution: here).
Gentiana asclepiadea seedlings, Feb. 17, 2023
Also a few seeds of Aquilegia scopulorum and Aquilegia flavescens already sowed last year. When you have a few precious seeds, follow nature’s example and germinate them in successive years; if accidents happen with the seedlings in one year, you get a second chance.
The indoor sowing has only begun!
Ready, start, go – 2023!
PropagationEarly to mid- February is a good time for us, in cold Northern Hemisphere regions, to start seeds under indoor lighting. This way, by late April-May the seedlings can be acclimatized outdoors, and in some cases planted in the ground during the summer (fast growing species). Gaining 2-3 month of growth for our short season is a big plus!
I have written about indoor sowing with other occasions, but a reminder is always good.
‘Warm germinators’ is the term used in the BotanyCa catalogue to describe the dry seeds that will germinate at room temperature (+/- 17-21C) after a certain period of time (a few days to a few weeks).
Many species will germinate easily after a regular sowing, others require various treatments before sowing in order to germinate at warm.
I think it is a very good method especially for various rockery species which benefit from being planted in the ground at a young stage (various Arenaria, Bukiniczia, Campanula, Dianthus, Draba, Edraianthus Silene, Anthemis, Hedysarum, Oxytropis, Papaver species).
When started in February, they can be ready for planting in the ground by June; some may even produce a flower or two!
Draba haynaldii seedlings by April
What treatments are used for various species, when starting them indoors?
Acid gibberellic treatment – an easy way to prepare a solution: Here
Hot water treatment for species with hard seedcoats: Here
Soaking and nicking the seeds, as well for hard seedcoats: Here
More advice for sowing small/fine seeds: Here
With so many light systems available nowadays, it is worth to try sowing and growing indoors a few species. It is most rewarding and also therapeutic to grow something new during the winter months! Start with just 4-6 species if you are new at this. They will be perfect for a small trial-out ‘rock container’ planting in the summer.
You know the concept of going to do the grocery when you are not hungry, right? Your ‘plants budget’ will certainly improve when the garden centers start offering perennials in late spring!
*It can happen that species given as ‘warm germinators’ to not ‘comply’ to the rule, and vice-versa, ‘cold germinators’ starting to germinate at room temperature. Every year there is a new surprise. The source of seeds: wild coll. versus garden coll., growing conditions of the mother-plants and other factors, all can influence the germination pattern.
If a known ‘warm germinator’ refuses to comply, move the pot in cold location for 3-4 weeks (fridge OK) and then return it to room temperature. No matter what, it is best to keep your pots for 2-3 years if possible; some seeds can enter a second dormancy and will need multiple alternate cycles of cold/warm for germination.
Silene suecica germinated seeds
Anthemis carpatica, Dianthus nardiformis seedlings
Ziziphora clinopodioides seedlings
Hypericum prolificum seedlings
What can we start indoors?
Glaucidium palmatum (older) seeds germination after GA3 treatment, Feb. 13, 2023.
The list below is not exclusive and it only contains cold hardy genera/species that I have personally germinated over the years at room temperature. I made notes for the species that I have started using GA3 (by habit, otherwise use cold/moist stratification) and those that will germinate best and faster if using a HWT (hot water treatment).
I recently included in the list Glaucidium palmatum – I just treated older seeds (2018/2019) with GA3 and there is almost 100% germination! It is not a fast growing species, but easy to germinate; the same goes for Podophyllum hexandrum.
Some of the species can be found in the SEEDS LIST.
Acinos alpinus
Allium thunbergii and few other Allium
Aquilegia species (with GA3)
Amphicarpaea
Arenaria
Arabis species
Androsace some species
Anthemis carpatica and other Anthemis species
Arisaema triphyllum and other Arisaema
Artemisia
Astragalus (HWT)
Asphodeline lutea, A. taurica
Aster alpinus
Aurinia saxatilis
Baptisia australis (HWT)
Berkheya purpurea
Bukiniczia cabulica
Campanula (C. rotundifolia, bellidifolia, persicifolia, carpatica…)
Caragana (HWT)
Carlina acaulis
Calycanthus floridus (nicking)
Centaurea triumfettii, C. orientalis, Centaurea jankae
Cerastium alpinum ssp. lanatum
Cercis canadensis
Cirsium canum, Cirsium edule
Clematis alpina and other Clematis (some slow to germinate)
Draba, most species
Delphinium grandiflorum and other Delphinium species
Dianthus nardiformis
Dianthus superbus ssp. sajanensis, most other Dianthus species
Echinops crispus and other Echinops
Edraianthus graminifolius and other Edraianthus (not all species though)
Erinus alpinus
Erigeron spp.
Gypsophila spp.
Glaucidium palmatum (with GA3)
Hedysarum (HWT)
Hieracium lanatum
Ipomopsis
Iris dichotoma
Iris domestica
Incarvillea
Jurinea mollis
Kernera saxatilis
Lathyrus (HWT)
Lilium formosanum var.pricei
Linaria spp.
Lychnis ssp.
Erythranthe guttata
Matthiola
Minuartia, most species
Monarda
Oxytropis (HWT)
Odontarrhena obtusifolia
Papaver species
Paronychia
Phyteuma orbiculare and other Phyteuma species
Platycodon
Podophyllum hexandrum (with GA3)
Polemonium
Potentilla (most species)
Primula japonica and other Primula spp. (some exceptions)
Pulsatilla vulgaris, other species, hybrids,
Rhododendron species
Roscoea species
Ruta graveolens
Salvia, various species
Sedum ssp. and Sempervivums
Silene species
Scabiosa caucasica, other Scabiosa spp.
Scutellaria pontica
Symphyandra
Syneilesis (if the seeds are good!)
Thermopsis (HWT)
Thalictrum cf. foetidum, few others (with GA3)
Thymus species
Viola – some species
Wash your pots (best practice for indoor sowing), prepare a sowing mix, labels, the seeds and then go! Start first with those species which take longer to germinate (or unknown) and leave the very fast germinators for early March (for example Papaver, Silene species).
Are you ready? Start sowing – the winter will be over in a blink of an eye and our gardens in bloom again :)
Aurinia saxatilis
Edraianthus graminifolius, Aurinia
Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’
Delphinium grandiflorum
Cirsium canum
Dianthus arenarius ssp. bohemicus
Phyteuma scheuchzeri flower detail
Dianthus moravicus
Papaver chakassicum
Erinus alpinus purple
Scutellaria pontica
Lilium formosanum var. pricei
You can also find more ‘warm germinators’ by checking out the Germination guide of the Ontario Rock Garden & HP Society page: Here
Remembering June (2)
Wildflowers of North AmericaTowards the end of June it was not only very dry, but also super hot, much to the dislike of quite a few species. Others, which by their nature enjoy such conditions, were not bothered at all (Salvia daghestanica, Veronica oltensis in the featured image). Also, Centaurea jankae, the subject of a plant portrait a little while ago, flowered non-stop from June until late fall.
So, we will retreat on the part-shaded sides of the garden to have a look at a few Arisaemas, Roscoea and companion plants.
Arisaema flavum is one of the most easy to grow species, and while not an overly showy species, it will become a ‘fixture’ of the garden; something that you can always count on to be there, quietly doing its thing. Arisaema candidissimum also flowered well. After it was tried in a container for a few years it was planted in the ground (in two locations). Why bother with containers? Arisaema ciliatum var. liubaense made a short apparition and in protest to the weather went dormant sooner than usual.
Arisaema flavum
Arisaema candidissimum
Arisaema ciliatum var. liubaense
Arisaema consanguineum
Newly in ‘town’ in 2022 was the Eastern NA native Arisaema dracontium, the green dragon. This is a threatened or vulnerable species in many regions of Eastern USA, and a rare sight in Eastern Canada (I have never encounter it).
The bad thing is that some people confuse it with Pinellia pedatisecta (a Chinese species), and worst of all, tubers of the latter are exchanged between gardeners as such. Many Pinellia species have a ‘weedy’ tendency.
It is not hard to distinguish them when in flower – see explanations; there are other more subtle differences (also for fruits/seeds), but the main idea is: do not share tubers unless you are sure what species you have!
Speaking of native species suitable for part-shade, the not often grown, Triosteum aurantiacum, the horse gentian, flowered and even produced a few fruits! In a shaded, overcrowded corner, Vancouveria hexandra always competes for space with Viola canadensis and others.
The more exotic Roscoea cautleyoides also starts flowering in late June. Similar to most Arisaemas, it emerges late from the ground, and thus it needs careful positioning close to more early growing species. Due to the high temperatures, the flowers were short lived, despite being part-shaded; otherwise they are not difficult to grow.
Triosteum aurantiacum, 2022
Viola canadensis, Vancouveria
Roscoea cautleyoides, 2022
I wanted to also show by comparison the Jeffersonia species capsules & seeds, which both mature in June but this post it’s getting to long. Until the next one…
Remembering June 2022: Paeonia peregrina
PropagationMirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the reddest of them all?
When something that you grew from seeds flowers for the first time, it is a great event, especially if it takes 4-5 years to happen! (I will repeat, repeat & repeat again: it is worth the wait for peonies).
Paeonia peregrina flowered in early June with its particular redder than red, bowl-shaped flowers and it was a fiesta!
Two plants, one on the left side of the garden and one on the right, flowered. There are two more young plants in different locations (of different ages as well).
One overlooked advantage of growing from seeds is that you can plant the seedlings/young plants in various locations of the garden to see where they perform best. Afterwards, gift away the rest of them. I assure you that no one will refuse a species peony!
Paeonia peregrina grows native throughout SE Europe and Turkey, reason why probably some call it with the common name of Balkan peony and Red peony of Constantinople. It was botanically named and described by Miller in 1768 and the type specimen was based on material from Istanbul. The specific epithet peregrina means ‘exotic, foreign’ and it was probably used because this peony was a newcomer to the gardens in late 16th century.
Records show that it was introduced into cultivation in Austria in the late 16th century by way of Constantinople (hence one of the common name) and by 1629 the “single red peony of Constantinople” was also grown in England (https://www.paeon.de/h1/saun/greece/all.html).
In its native areas it can be found growing in open deciduous, and mixed forests, most commonly in part-shaded locations, but also in full sun locations. It requires calcareous soils and good drainage. If you take into consideration its native areal (Serbia, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece…) it is easy to understand that it needs rather hot summers to perform well. The climate of Southern ON suits it very well; preferably planted in part-shade for the flowers to last longer.
Paeonia peregrina, specimen #2, June 2022. This species is a bit overlooked, some think it is ‘just another red peony’, they are wrong, it is THE RED peony
Paeonia peregrina is often used as a parent in hybridizing programs; apparently it is easy to cross with others peonies. Therefore, seeds of garden origin will not always give ‘pure’ results. A full botanical description here: https://www.peonysociety.eu/species/herbaceous/paeonia/peregrina/
Very brief notes about growing Paeonia peregrina (and not only) from seeds:
Paeonia peregrina seeds
Paeonia peregrina seedlings, 2019
Paeonia peregrina 3-years old plant
Paeonia peregrina young plants foliage, 2021
Sow the seeds in late summer (late July, August) in pots (stop playing with bags unless you know what you are doing);
Use a sowing mix a bit heavier than what’s sold as ‘Sowing mix’ (with too much peat) – add some topsoil, black soil to it….
Water well and keep in a shaded location; protect from critters, keep well-watered, but not in excess (roots will emerge from the seeds); keep away from late fall cold rains.
Store in a cold frame over the winter. In the spring when the first shoots appear, start watering and take care of pots as regular.
Best grown in the same pot for 2-3 years, in part-shade.
You can also keep the pots ‘planted in the ground’ in a part-shaded location in the garden (see picture).
I plant 2-3 year old peony plants in the ground in late spring/early summer (it works well in our climate).
Water and keep an eye on them in the first season until they get established.
That’s it. Enjoy for many years afterwards!
Updates on germination & thistles
PropagationCampanula rotundifolia
Germination starts in about one week at room temp. The sowing pot was kept at room temperature for good imbibition with the intention to place it outdoors later – the seeds have germinated fast and, of course, seedlings elongated in the process since they were in the dark.
These are seeds from the lot offered in the Shop and to ORG&HP seedex. Seeds of different provenience may have a different pattern of germination.
Campanula bellidifolia – the same, warm germinator at room temperature; keep an eye on the sowing pot and provide light when you notice the start of germination.
Jurinea mollis – it was tried before by using fall sowing (also for other Jurinea species), so I wasn’t quite sure about it. It is a ‘warm’ germinator; germination happened at +/- 8-10C (unheated garage). I will try a few seeds at room temp. as well to make sure it germinates or maybe it needs first a short cold stratification period.
If these species are sowed and placed outdoors right away, it is fine, no worry. They will germinate in the spring with the raise of temperatures.
Germination requirements are not always clear-cut. Sometimes, no treatement is required for fresh seed and/or germination may be improved with only a short period of cold/moist stratification. For the same species, it can happen that seed stored for a year or more may need 60-90 days cold-moist stratification for germination.
Jurinea mollis
I am particularly happy about the Jurinea mollis germination because the seeds were from an older collection lot.
I previously grown seedlings and even had a plant in the garden at some point. Among so many others, I don’t know why it vanished. Same goes for Jurinea sordida; lack of good drainage may have been the reason.
In 2016 I wrote a few posts and declared it to be the Year of the thistle, speaking about the ‘true thistles’ and other relative species. They can be reviewed here:
The year of the thistle
The year of the thistle – update (Cirsium canum)
Since then I managed to also grow a few others wonderful species from seeds: Cirsium hillii (no seeds set unfortunately), Cirsium edule var. macounii, Carlina acaulis ssp. simplex and Berkheja purpurea (didn’t last long) and various thistle ‘relatives’ like Centaurea ( C. triumfetti ssp. simplex, C. orientalis, C. jankae) and few Echinops.
It is hard to find more pollinator friendly species than the thistles and their relatives, and there are many non-invasive species that can be grown without fear. More than this, the thistle seeds are highly in demand by birds, especially the American goldfinch. Goldfinches breed late in the season and time it with the availability of thistle seeds; also the down is used to line the nests.
They become quite territorial and remain close to the plants all day long to watch for intruders (see an older picture I found). They behave the same with most Centaurea. Collecting seeds from these species can only be done by ‘sharing’ :)
Why don’t you make 2023 your year of the thistle and try to grow as many as possible?! Goldfinches will say a big thank you!
Cirsium canum, marmalade hover fly 2022
Cirsium canum, American finch
Carlina acaulis ssp. simplex
Cirsium edule var. macounii
Centaurea orientalis
Centaurea jankae
Remembering June 1
PropagationThe rainy winter continues and we continue reviewing garden moments from late spring to early summer.
The drought was well installed by June and a lot of time had to be devoted to keeping an eye on various susceptible plants and on the seedlings. It was also a busy time seeds-wise, with early flowering species seeds coming to maturation.
Fast growing seedlings started indoors in February, especially alpine species, can be planted in the ground/rockery in June, sometimes with better results than keeping them in pots. In the featured image: Degenia velebitica, an endemic species of Croatian Mts. requiring a rockery location with a stellar drainage. We’ll see next year if I managed it well; good to have it on record.
From the first time to flower: Linum capitatum. It was purchased from Wrightman Alpines (attention – new catalogue on line!), after I had the occasion to admire it in the wild habitat during a trip to the Pirin Mts (Bulgaria). You can relish again in mountain plants & landscapes in this older post: A taste of Pirin Mts. – part II.
Linum capitatum, June 2022
Tetraneuris herbacea, 2022
Penstemon cf. saxosorum
Close to Linum, another golden species, Tetraneuris herbacea, the Lakeside daisy, started to flower in May and continued well into June. This is a localized endemic species found only in Ontario (alvars of Bruce peninsula and Manitoulin Island.) and Ohio, US. It can be found on rare occasions in specialized nurseries. It is rhizomatous, so dividing and sharing small divisions is another way passionate gardeners can provide a refuge in their gardens to this threatened species. Because yellow looks wonderful in combination with blue, Penstemon saxosorum was in full bloom, simply gorgeous! A few seeds were shared, hoping for more this coming season.
Dictamnus albus, Gas plant, June 2022
Dictamnus albus, the gas plant is a garden staple of June and it cannot be ignored. Even if it was previously discussed, I still feel the need to try and convey its beauty and usefulness. It is hard to obtain (it dislikes being grown in pots) and slow to grow from seeds, but once you have it, it will increase in size and live on for many years, just like Helleborus.
Besides its attractiveness, it is one of the few species in Fam. Rutaceae that we can grow in this climate to provide hosts for the Giant swallowtail butterfly (others being the hoptree, Ptelea trifoliata and Ruta graveolens).
I will conclude the first part of June with a few cheerful pictures of easy to grow plants which make a smooth transition from May into June, often overlapping in bloom. They shouldn’t be missed by anyone: Dianthus species like the wonderful fragrant D. moravicus, D. arenarius ssp. bohemicus, plus whatever cultivars you can purchase, Phlox subulata and cultivars in various colors which make for terrific borders, Baptisia australis, Iris sibirica, Salvia pratensis and other species, Aquilegia, Phyteuma, Erinus alpinus, Papaver atlanticum ‘Flore-pleno’, Papaver chakassicum, and any other Papaver species…to mention just a few.
Dianthus cv.
Dianthus moravicus
Erinus alpinus purple
Phlox border
Iris sibirica
Phyteuma scheuchzeri
Aquilegia olympica
Papaver atlanticum ‘Flore-pleno’
Remembering spring – May part 2
PropagationPaeonia officinalis, May 2022; Corydalis nobilis in the background
In the second part of May, the drought had already showed its face in many locations, but the water reserve from the soil and a bit of watering were sufficient for most plants to grow and flower well.
May is by definition the peonies month, both for species peonies and various cultivars. Paeonia officinalis in particular was gorgeous in flower and had a good seeds set; first time to flower was the seed raised Paeonia officinalis ssp. huhtii.
Paeonia tenuifolia wasn’t at its best flower-wise, but the foliage alone is gorgeous anyway.
New plants of Primula japonica ‘Postford White’ started to bloom extending the Primulas show. P. japonica is a species for moist locations, and therefore not long-lived unless you have a boggy area. Because it is easy to grow from seeds, I like to have it around once in a while.
From the part-shaded side, Iris cristata, Dicentra formosa, Trillium flexipes, Trillium luteum and companions deserve a mention for good flowering (and some seeds setting as well).
Iris cristata
Trillium flexipes, 2022
Dicentra formosa
Trillium luteum, 2022
Androsace villosa ssp. taurica ex. Crimea; seeds were offered in 2017-2018, so others must have it in their rockery
The rock garden kept on flowering with various species in succession. Androsace villosa ssp. taurica enjoyed the sunny, dry weather; also Aubrietia, Potentilla, Armeria, various Dianthus, and my only ‘alpine’ gentian: Gentiana clusii put up a good show.
In a shaded corner, the little New Zealander Viola cunninghamii emerged and flowered a bit, answering the question if it would be hardy enough in our zone. It wasn’t happy about the extensive period of drought; make a note if you have it.
From the ‘first time flowering’ category – the delicate Polygonatum prattii and seeds raised: Woronovia speciosa, Melica uniflora and Arisaema peninsulae ex. Primorye I mentioned last time.
Polygonatum prattii
Woronovia speciosa, 2022
Melica uniflora
As usual, towards the end of May the first Hepatica seeds were collected. Once that is happening, an even busier time starts; taking garden pictures takes second place, but there are still some worth reviewing from June so stay tuned.