Hi!
Blooms and I packed up a dozen or so of each of these for SoCal DGRU and then (thanks to flat tire) arrived so late and were so busy shaking hands (etc) that they never found homes.
Seeds are NOT cleaned, but very dry seedheads with a good pinch of already separated seeds added to each bag. Extra instructions for cleaning/separating Leonotis included.
Germination "tested" by the fact that all of these are springing up everywhere on my property! These seedheads were collected in 2005 but have no reason to think they won't sprout for being a year old!
D-mail me specifying which seed(s) you are interested in.
(1) Nigella damascena -- great-grandchildren of "Persian Jewels", selected each year from blue flowers. Pretty much the ones that come up and flower for me, are pods I simply shake out in areas I like to have them and then maybe stir to cover. I.e. no special care needed. Flowers first year (self-seeding annuals).
(2) Lychnis coronaria. This is a biennial that looks like Lambs' Ears the first year and flowers second year on 2-2+' stalks. Depending on your climate and this year's PARTICULAR weather patterns, you might get some confused Indian summer blooms, like if you get the seeds in the ground and the lambs'ears rosettes form, then you get a cold snap with a little rain, and then it warms up -- the plants could be fooled. It has happened here. Usually flowers in the spring/late spring, however. Self-seeds. Here, it is happier to grow OUTSIDE the prepared beds (in disturbed but not improved adobe clay) as in them.
(3) Leonotis menthifolia. Some sites seem to suggest that this is the SAME as L.nepetifolia, but others say that L.nepetifolia is an annual; this for sure is perennial! It is more attractive than L.leonorus when not in bloom IMNSHO. Smaller crinkly leaves, same funky orange whorls of flowers. Hummingbirds like 'em. Sprout better in loose/prepared soil, but grow just fine in unamended clay. Gloves recommended for cleaning/sorting through the pods as they have SHARP points that can literally draw blood.
Free, or will consider trades!
~'spin!~
This message was edited Jul 10, 2006 12:02 PM
Have: Nigella (blue), Lychnis coronaria (magenta), Leonotis
I would love some of each if it is available. Please let me know! Let me know if I have anything you would like to trade!
Bev
Bev:
My postage-stamp front and hankerchief back gardens are getting pretty full although I am a little tempted by the Candystripe Cosmos... I will say no and just "pay it forward" and send you one of each of my three... as long as none of them are prohibited in NC.
~'spin!~
spin
Well I think I will have to pass on the Leonotis menthifolia, it says it is hardy at zone 9 and above. I am in 7 and don't want to kill them with the cold! The other two I checked and nothing says that they are prohibited...I take it they can be invasive? I will take this into consideration when planting. Thank you for you kindness, if you decide you want some of the Candy Stripe, please let me know! I will dmail you my addy.
Bev
Well, I will send a few Leonotis seeds anyway -- if you are piedmont or lower, you have a long enough growing season to grow as an annual and save your own seeds from now on... and maybe even in the hills... I have had volunteers open a whorl of blooms at only one foot tall!
The comment about "prohibited" was reflex -- not in particular about THESE seeds... I think the only one that might be a threat anywhere would be the Leonotis (as a perennial and self-seeder) and then only in the higher zones (places like Hawaii where anything non-native is a threat!)... Just checked and various Leonotis (although not menthifolia) are listed in "Australian Naturalised and/or Noxious Taxa" (not yet a problem but could become one in sugarcane fields), and PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk)... Floridata (Florida) says about the annual L.nepetifolia, "The seedlings are easy to identify and it is not hard to keep this semi-invasive weed under control."
~'spin!~
This message was edited Jul 10, 2006 12:00 PM
Thank you, I look forward to watching them grow. And that is a good idea, as long as I can get the seeds from my plants I can have them every year!
Actually I think it is smart to post it like that, I wouldn't have thought to check if you hadn't. A habit I need to get into!
Bev
Hello,
I would love to have some of #1 and #3.
. I have the second one already. Would you like a sasbe or would you like something to trade. I have some newly collected jacobs ladder and columbine, pink hollyhocks also.
Best wishes,
Sue
I would love some of your Persian Jewel if you've got any left. I'll try to update my list of seed I've got to trade. You're Wonderful.
Lesh
Hi,
I would like to have some Nigella if you have some left ?
I have newly harvested columbine seeds and lupine seeds.
Columbine are different MIXED colors i.e.blues,pink,darkrose
Lupines are blue East coast non hybrid
Or I can do postage.
PLMK,
Brigitte