Re: seeding perennials now

In a message dated 12/2/99 8:37:43 PM Eastern Standard Time, mtalt@clark.net 
writes:

<< Nicotiana is a tender perennial, grown as an annual in most temperate
 climates.  I have the occasional one self seed, but this is very fine seed
 and I'd wait until spring to sow it.  If sown in early spring, they will
 bloom for you by summer.  Now, N. sylvestris seeds around with incredible
 abandon and even remains perennial for me, >>

Marge,

Most nicotiana seeds around generously and does fine all by itself, even up 
here in cold country.  The problem may be that germination takes place around 
the fourth of July.  You may have cultivated all the seedlings away if you 
are a tidy gardener.  I have a group of nicotiana alata (very fragrant) that 
are perennnial.  Before you challenge that statement let me say that they are 
seeded and rooted into the house foundation, a warm wall due to garage heat.  
Every spring they are up and blooming with the irises.  Seeded plants do not 
bloom until August.  This would indicate that these plants are tougher than 
you think.  They will take some frost in fall as well.

I hesitate to speak to seeding in the warmer zone where the questions are 
coming from as my experience is in the Northeast.

A large number of reseeding tender perennials and annuals want to be sown on 
site.  Nigella is one, cosmos is another,  lavatera demands it.  The self 
sown plant is always happier than the transplant.  Poppies can be pressed 
into the surface or can be raked in.  Poppies will remain viable in the soil 
and can germinate many years later when the soil is disturbed.  Some 
germinate in a random pattern throughout the season.  I have opium poppies 
germinating and blooming all summer.  I never plant any of them.  

Another reliable friend is silene armeria which has about a hundred other 
names but seems to be silene armeria presently.  It is also catchfly, sweet 
william catchfly and German catchfly.  This is the most reliable blooming 
garden plant a flower grower can have.  In my garden it will bloom sun or 
shade and does well in the cracks in the driveway. 

The thread on winterizing recently did not mention the gift of self-sown 
seedlings.  When all of the season's top growth is frosted and most of the 
garden brown it is best to leave it alone until spring.  Learning to 
recognize seedlings of your favorite plants and when they emerge  will be the 
reward for patience and <G> not be too tidy.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY z4

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