Re: seeding perennials now

In a message dated 12/2/99 11:50:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, mtalt@clark.net 
writes:

<<<< 
 I don't doubt your N. alata at all, based on my N. sylvestris experience. 
 A sheltered foundation wall would be just the place.  I think these two are
 fairly similar, aren't they?  Large, fleshy roots?  I, too, find that those
 who return from roots bloom quite early while those from the copious seed
 don't bloom until late summer.>>>>  

That is my experience also.
 
<<< Do you find those sold as annuals reseed for you?  Those were the ones I
 was talking about - with colored flowers - who very occasionally self seed
 for me, but not generally.>>>>

Yes these will reseed but I probably distribute the seedcases around the 
site.  If I put seeds from a plant in location it originally grows, I may 
remember to sort them from the weeds on that location which also volunteer.  
Also, I don't do much cleaning up in the perennial spots.  We seem to have a 
bit of autumn and with little warning,  a snowstorm and below freezing 
weather.  Since I leave most of debris to protect the perennials and the 
seeds which choose to reappear, I get a lot of seedlings.  The annuals you 
mention regrow in muddy colors and all different sizes.  I would guess they 
are hybrids.  I have not had a seedling reproduce the purples that I like 
best.

 
<<<< I hesitate to speak to seeding in the warmer zones where the questions 
are
  coming from as my experience is in the Northeast.
 
 Seems to me that self-seeding should happen more in warmer zones than where
 you are??>>>>

We can have immense numbers of self-seeded plants.  I have had wax begonias 
return here. Verbena bonariensis (tender perennial) returns each year.   My 
awful secret is that they rest under tons of unclipped foliage and leaves 
that are never raked.  We have a lot of wind from altitude so the leaves come 
and go collecting where mixed garden plants (shrubs and perennials) cause 
them to pile up.

I feel I must clean up in the spring and have no desire to do it twice.  
Unlike the southern states when our gardens  is are closed for business in 
the fall, we do not return until April. 

 Just once, I would love to garden where the soil does not freeze three feet 
deep.  Reading the posts from writers across the middle of the country 
produces zone 4 envy of the middle south.  You guys can deal with so many 
more genera.  Also, I think most of horticultural writing is aimed at zones 6 
and 7.

It is not uncommon to have a killing frost in my garden by Sept 20.  This 
year we were spared that early frost. 

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
z4

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