Easy species to grow from seeds – Edraianthus graminifolius
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.
First, a short plant portrait fro Edraianthus graminifolius.
Edraianthus graminifolius, Grassy bells, belongs to the Campanula family and like its name suggests, has linear, grassy-looking leaves and large,
Edraianthus graminifolius
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 ;) A delightful, 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 to try something 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, for ex. Helleborus) or others that I never germinate/grown myself, also species with naturally low germination rates, those where the seedlings need special care and plants I’m not quite sure about. For sure there could be more species added to this list.
Easy species to grow from seeds
(they will germinate at room temperature or after being sown outdoors in the spring; aka. warm germinators)
Acinos alpinus
Allium thunbergii and few other Allium
Aquilegia canadensis and most other Aquilegia
Amphicarpaea
Arenaria (most species)
Arabis species
Anthemis carpatica and other Anthemis species (first, check very well the seeds!)
Arisaema triphyllum
Arisaema flavum and other Arisaema
Astragalus (with HWT)
Asphodeline lutea
Asphodeline taurica
Aurinia saxatilis
Alyssum
Baptisia australis (using the HWT)
Berkheya purpurea
Bukiniczia cabulica
Campanula, many species
Capnoides sempervirens
Caragana (HWT)
Carlina acaulis
Calycanthus floridus (after nicking the seeds)
Centaurea triumfettii, Centaurea orientalis, and other Centaurea species
Cerastium alpinum ssp. lanatum
Cercis canadensis
Cirsium spp. (some species, C. canuum)
Draba species
Delphinium grandiflorum and other species
Dianthus ssp.
Echinops crispus and other Echinops
Edraianthus graminifolius and other Edraianthus (not all species though)
Erinus alpinus
Erythranthe guttata
Gentiana cruciata, G. dahurica
other Gentiana spp. from Cruciata section
Gypsophila species
Hedysarum (using the HWT)
Hieracium lanatum
Ipomopsis rubra
Iris dichotoma
Iris domestica
Kalmia
Kernera saxatilis
Lathyrus vernus (light scarification)
Lilium formosanum var.pricei
Linaria spp.
Lychnis ssp.
Erythranthe guttata
Minuartia, some species
Mitella diphylla
Monarda
Mimulus lewisii
Oxytropis with HWT (or scarification)
Papaver species
Paronychia cephalotes
Phyteuma scheuchzeri and other Phyteuma
Platycodon
Primula japonica and other Primula spp. (some exceptions)
Pulsatilla vulgaris, other species, hybrids,
Physochlaina orientalis
Rhodiola
Most Rhododendron species
Roscoea species
Sedum ssp., Sempervivums
most Silene species
Scabiosa caucasica, other Scabiosa spp.
Scutellaria pontica and other ssp.
Stylophorum diphyllum (fresh or moist kept seeds)
Thermopsis (using HWT)
Thalictrum cf. foetidum
Thalictrum rochebruneanum and few other Thalictrum
Thymus species
Viola – some species
HWT – it means applying the hot water treatment before sowing; it can be replaced by light scarification.
Great idea to list the easier seeds, this one is beautiful.
From my previous experience, you get more encouragement to continue something after a first good experience :) (it applies not only to growing from seeds, doesn’t it?)