Monthly Archives: August 2020

Love in a Puff Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination:10-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Cardiospermum halicacabum. Easily grown, the Balloon Vine should be direct-sown outside after the threat of spring frost has passed. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with well-draining soil at the base of a trellis. Love-in-a-Puff may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of spring frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong sunlight and good air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. This lovely climbing annual has delicate sprays of tiny white flowers that mature into pale green lanterns and dry to the color of straw. Inside are two to three black seeds with prominent white hearts. It can readily self-sow (m

Climbing Snapdragons Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:1/2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Asarina scandens. This delicate-looking little vine scrambles up to 8 feet in one season, cloaked in arrowhead-shaped leaves and cascading, 1½-inch long, tubular flowers from summer to fall. Climbing Snapdragon Vine prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Direct-sow after all danger of frost has passed, just barely covering the seeds with soil, or sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks earlier. To avoid root disturbance and tangled vines, sow seeds in individual pots. Cover seeds with just a fine layer of sand or vermiculite and then cover with clear plastic wrap. Uncover when seedlings appear in 1 to 2 weeks and thin to the strongest 1-2 seedlings per pot. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a we

Cathedral Bells Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:6”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:15-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Cobaea scandens. Similar to Morning Glories, this easy-to-grow heirloom is best sown directly outside after all danger of frost has passed. It may also be sown as transplants in a sterile soil mix 4 to 6 weeks before setting outside in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. When large enough to transplant outside, be sure to “harden them off” by gradually exposing the plants to the outdoors over a period of 7 to 10 days. Carefully transplant or thin seedlings to 8" to 12" apart; try to avoid disturbing their root systems. Plant in full sun and moderately rich, well-draining soil. Keep the seedbed well-watered and well-weeded. Cathedral Bells will need a solid support from a trellis, fence or netting, which will be covered with bell-sha

Four O’Clocks Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:4”-5”
Plant Spacing:12”-18”
Days to Germination:7-12 days
Germination Temperature:70°-80°F

Syn:Mirabilis jalapa. An old-fashioned flower, the Four O’Clocks Mixture is so named because it doesn’t open until about 4:00 PM unless it is cloudy in which case they could bloom earlier. Because they are fast to grow, it is best to sow them directly in the garden. Sow 1⁄4" to 1⁄2" deep in well-draining soil and full sun in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Keep the seedbed moist until seedlings emerge. You can also start indoors in peat pots 4 to 6 weeks before planting out. When seedlings have 4 true leaves, transplant out or thin to 12" to 18" apart. Although Four O’Clocks are not fussy and will thrive virtually anywhere, they do like to be watered occasionally if it gets dry. They may self sow in milder climates. Their tr

Alyssum Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:4”-5”
Days to Germination:8-15 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Lobularia maritima, Sweet Alyssum. This fragrant, hardy annual has delicate, dense clusters of tiny flowers growing in mounds. Alyssum may be started indoors 5 weeks before transplanting out, but it is easiest to direct sow 3 to 4 weeks prior to the last frost date. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Thin or carefully transplant the seedlings 4" to 5" apart once they are large enough to handle. Perfect for borders, rockgardens, containers and hanging baskets, this heirloom thrives in full to partial sunlight and in most types of soil. It prefers to be kept moist, but will tolerate drought and heat.

Bachelor’s Button Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:6”-12”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Centaurea cyanus. It is best to direct-sow Bachelor’s Buttons in well-draining, loamy soil in full sun as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant 1⁄2" deep and tamp down well since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, up to 2 weeks after sowing. Or sow indoors 4 weeks before planting outside, in a good seed-starting medium at about 60° to 70°F. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant 6" to 12" apart in the garden. Weed and keep well-watered until established. Drought tolerant, water moderately once established. Summer flowering. Height:

Salvia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:7-20 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Salvia. It is best to start Salvia indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. Sow shallowly since light aids germination. Pamper with 65°- 75°F temperatures, strong light, good air circulation and moist soil by covering flats or pots with plastic wrap. Remove plastic wrap after the sprouts emerge. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to larger, deeper pots for full root system development. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out or direct-sow in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture but keep mulch away from Salvia’s stems. Salvia Victoria has graceful spir

Shasta Daisy Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Leucanthemum x superbum. This easily grown perennial cut flower may be sown outdoors from early spring up to 2 months before the first frost date in the fall. Or start transplants indoors 8 weeks before setting out after the last spring frost date to ensure first-year flowers. Sow seeds on top of the soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Provide even moisture and strong light. When seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. After the threat of frost has passed, carefully transplant out into well-draining, loamy soil in full to filtered sunlight spaced 12" to 24" apart. Prized in summer bouquets and wildflower drifts, it has la

Verbena Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Verbena. Widely adaptable, it is best started indoors 12 to 14 weeks before transplanting out after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds in a good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture. Cover seeds completely, as darkness aids germination. For even moisture during germination, cover flats or pots with plastic wrap until seedlings emerge, then discard plastic. Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant out into rich, well-draining soil in full sunlight, spaced 8" to 12" apart. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Heat and drought tolerant, it requires little care once established and will spread to cover the space allotted for it. Our Ideal Florist Verbena Mi

Vinca Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:14-20 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Catharanthus roseus. Vinca rosea. Widely adaptable, it is best started indoors 12 to 14 weeks before transplanting out after all danger of spring frost has passed. Sow seeds in a good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture. Cover seeds completely, as darkness aids germination. For even moisture, cover flats or pots with plastic wrap until seedlings emerge, then discard plastic. Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant out into rich, well-draining soil in full sunlight, spaced 10" to 12" apart. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Heat and drought tolerant once established, it requires little care and will spread to fill allotted space. It is great for hangi

Pincushion Flower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:10”-15”
Days to Germination:14-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Scabiosa caucasica. The “Pincushion” can be direct-sown outdoors in warm areas or started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after all threat of frost has passed. Prepare planting site in garden in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Sow seeds in good seedstarting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. For consistent moisture during germination, cover flats or pots with plastic wrap until seedlings emerge: then discard plastic. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. Thin or transplant seedlings 10" to 15" apart. It will flower the first year if started early enough indoors. Its blue, lilac and white

Phlox Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:6”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

Phlox drummondii. Widely adaptable, Phlox may be sown outdoors after the last frost date but is best started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after all danger of frost has passed. Cover seeds completely, as darkness aids germination. Use individual peat pots or seed-starting cells to avoid root disturbance. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the plants by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. Both heat and drought tolerant, it requires constant, even moisture for optimum flower production. Mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Once Phlox starts to bloom, it is free-flowering until the first frost. Phlox is terrific in display bed borders, window boxes and rock gardens.