The pods themselves are small, only about 3/16 of an inch in diameter, and the seeds they contain are practically dust-like. The seedlings are correspondingly tiny. And cute.
Last fall, I wanted to encourage this plant to reseed so I did a variety of things: I squished open some seed pods and loosed the tiny seeds inside, I separated the pods from the flower stalk and scattered seed pods around the garden, and I chopped the stalk (seed pods attached) into one-inch lengths and chucked those pieces around the garden. I think all the methods worked. The method that worked best, I think, was scattering the seed pods that I'd separated from the stalk. The resulting hillocks of new seedlings are easy to see and to identify--an important factor in my garden. It looks like squishing open the pods and scattering the tiny seeds also worked well--there is a green haze of tiny little seedlings covering the entire area where I broadcasted the seed--but if I can't identify them before it is time to weed, these seedlings may not survive. So, for good germination AND ease of identification, broadcasting seedpods is the winner.
4 comments:
Two years ago I let the foxgloves go to seed and do their own broadcasting. Last year they were on track to crowd everything else out, so thinning was a major chore. Now I'm going to cut off most of the flower stalks before they can can indulge in their loose ways.
Hi Ricki--I didn't think the parvifora would be so promiscuous. I wanted a few more plants, though, so I encouraged them. If I get all I want, I may begin regularly deadheading them. I've never before encouraged anything to self seed--I'd plant one plant right where I wanted it and that would be that--so self seeding (of the digitalis, astrantia, ammi, etc.) is very novel for me.
Very sweet! Nothing quite as gratifying as scattered seeds sprouting!
Hi Peter! Yup! I am really enjoying watching these seedlings. I've never really grown from seed before.
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