Propagation: 2015 Seed Starting, Part 5, 1 by DonnaMack

DonnaMack wrote:
My favorite digitalis has always been mertonensis. I was trying to grow them in Lake County but was only marginally successful. The were quite short. I needed better soil. But I did go back and find seedlings, two years later, where small ones had grown.

So, in my new yard, with better soil, I took the bull by the horns. Happy Macomb kindly sent me seed from JL Hudson. I started them indoors this month last year, and by April had seedlings big enough to put outside to harden off. In early June I put them in the ground - five fat plants. Notice the soaker hose - didn't want to lose these babies!

At the end of October they looked fine (second picture) they looked great. I can't wait to see them next year. I have never had so many in such a perfect location. They are next to one of my favorite roses, Enfant de France, which performed so beautifully in my garden that I just ordered a second one from Antique Rose Emporium. I got one last year from Pickering, and other than David Austin there was no provider of this very beautiful rose. And DA's prices are very high. So...

The great thing about having more experience with roses, as well as doing endless, compulsive research on them, is that I know which was will be easy peasy. I can't really believe it, but I am going to have 35 roses. I grow a three big ones as specimen plants, and two up trellises, but for the most part they are worked into beds with perennials and grasses and bulbs. I love growing roses that way. I know most people grow them isolated in beds, but they seem so happy with their nepetas and geraniums and salvias and bulbs. And I think the beneficials really enjoy wandering around them.

I have been getting the BEST seeds from my fellow gardeners! (Hey Pam!)

This message was edited Jan 6, 2015 8:19 AM