I’ve started to put together a list with species easy to grow from seeds as a way to provide info and encouragement to those who are at the beginning of their seeds adventures. The list will see additions as we go.
Let’s begin with Edraianthus graminifolius; yeah, I am not starting with A, just because I don’t feel like it :)
Edraianthus graminifolius – grassy bells belongs to the Campanula family and like its name suggests, has linear, grassy-looking leaves and large,
blue flowers, in terminal clusters in May-June. The foliage remains tight and low at about 15 cm but the flowering stems are spreading/trailing so it needs its space ;)
An absolutely delightful and easy going plant, as long as grown in full sun/well drained locations. You don’t really need a rock garden for it; just keep in mind its growth habit and place it in a suitable spot.
Growing for the first time from seeds, or just want something fast and easy? Try something from the list below. ‘Easy to grow from seeds’ means:
– easy to germinate & in large percentage
– seedlings that aren’t fussy to grow
– also, easy going plants in the garden, as long as provided with the required conditions.
I will avoid the so called two-stage germinators (although all you have to do is wait) or others that I never germinate/grow myself, species with naturally low germination rates, cases where the seedlings need special care or the ones I’m not quite sure about.
Easy species to grow from seeds
Genera/Species that will germinate at room temperature (warm germinators) are written in red:
Acinos alpinus
Allium thunbergii and few other Allium
Aquilegia canadensis and most other Aquilegia
Amphicarpaea
Anemone multifida
Arenaria
Arabis species
Anthemis carpatica and other Anthemis species
Arisaema triphyllum
Arisaema flavum and other Arisaema
Asarum canadense (fresh/moist seeds)
Asarum europaeum (fresh/ moist seeds)
Astragalus (with HWT)
Asphodeline lutea
Asphodeline taurica
Aurinia saxatilis
Alyssum
Baptisia australis (using the HWT)
Berkheya purpurea
Bukiniczia cabulica
Campanula, many species
Caragana (HWT)
Carlina acaulis
Calycanthus floridus
Centaurea triumfettii
Centaurea orientalis, and other Centaurea species
Cerastium alpinum ssp. lanatum
Cercis canadensis
Cirsium
Claytonia (fresh/moist)
Capnoides sempervirens
Corydalis lutea (fresh/moist seeds)
Corydalis solida (fresh/moist seeds)
Clematis integrifolia, Clematis alpina
Draba species
Delphinium grandiflorum
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
Gentiana cruciata
Gentiana dahurica
G. tibetica, other spp. from Cruciata section
Geum triflorum. other Geum spp.
Gypsophila species
Helleborus hybrids (fresh/moist seeds)
Hedysarum (using the HWT)
Hieracium lanatum
Ipomopsis rubra
Iris dichotoma
Iris domestica
Kernera saxatilis
Lathyrus vernus
Lilium formosanum var.pricei
Linaria spp.
Lychnis ssp.
Maianthemum canadense (fresh/moist seeds)
Maianthemum stellatum (fresh/moist seeds)
Erythranthe guttata
Minuartia, some species
Mitella diphylla
Monarda
Papaver species
Paronychia cephalotes
Phyteuma orbiculare
Phyteuma scheuzeri
Platycodon
Podophyllum peltatum (fresh/moist kept)
Primula japonica and other Primula spp. (some exceptions)
Plectritis congesta
Pulsatilla vulgaris, other species, hybrids,
Rhododendron species
Roscoea species
Sedum ssp. and Sempervivums
most Silene species
Scabiosa caucasica, other Scabiosa spp.
Scutellaria pontica
Stylophorum diphyllum (fresh/moist seeds)
Stylophorum lasiocarpum (fresh/moist seeds)
Thermopsis (using HWT)
Thalictrum cf. foetidum
Thalictrum rochebruneanum and few other Thalictrum
Thymus species
Viola – some species