Monthly Archives: August 2020

Tassel Flower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:6”-10”
Days to Germination: 8-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Emilia javanica. Tassel Flower is prized for its wiry stems of scarlet or orange blooms. Its tousled, pompon flowers are quite small, so its hot hues won’t overpower your plantings. Rather, it weaves in and out of other plants in a densely planted bed, adding a dash of spice. It attracts bees and butterflies and is an excellent cut flower, too. Sow directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed, in full sun and well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings are established. Or sow seeds indoors in a warm spot several weeks before transplanting out. Cover the seeds lightly and keep them moist until germination. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and the

Immortelle Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:10”
Days to Germination: 10-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Xeranthemum annuum. Sow Immortelle seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, covering the seeds with 1⁄4" of soil, or sow indoors in individual pots, 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Keep the seeds moist until germination. Harden off the seedlings by slowly introducing them to the outdoors over the span of a week, and then transplant them after the last frost date to 10" apart in full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Immortelle seedlings resent transplanting. Handle the seedlings gently, disturbing the roots as little as possible. A dream in dried flower arrangements, Immortelle is an excellent everlasting. To dry flowers, harvest them just as they begin to open to retain their colors and hang them upside down in a dry, shady area

Money Plant Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination: 10-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Lunaria annua. When Money Plant’s pink flowers go to seed, the seed pods are flattened and the size and shape of a silver dollar, and are wonderful in dried flower arrangements. Sow seeds outdoors in full sun or partial shade, in either fall or early spring. Cover them lightly with soil and keep them evenly moist until germination. Thin seedlings to 12" apart. Provide even moisture throughout the season. The plants prefer full sun in cooler climates, while they benefit from afternoon shade in warmer climates. They will produce only foliage the first year and flowers and seeds the second year before dying. The plants, if left uncut, will usually self-seed. To dry for arrangements, cut entire stems just as the seed pods lose their color, and hang upside

Chinese Lantern Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:24”
Days to Germination: 20-25 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetti. Direct-sow outside after the last spring frost date. Prepare a bed in full to partial sunlight with well-draining soil. Sow seeds on top of soil, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light aids germination. Chinese Lanterns may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed. Provide even moisture, strong light and air circulation. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside for a week to 10 days before transplanting out. Hardy to zone 3, this perennial can be invasive: plant it in a dedicated spot or grow it in containers. This Tomatillo relative is prized for its bright orange pods that are wonderful in fall b

Lace Flower Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination: 7-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-65°F

Ammi majus. If you love wild Queen Anne’s Lace as it waves its flowers alongside country roads in late summer, you'll adore Lace Flower. It’s a distant cousin that is more suited to the garden, with stout stems of lacy, feathery foliage topped with large, dense domes of tiny white flowers that are an exceptional filler in summertime bouquets. Sow seeds outdoors after all threat of frost has passed in spring, in full sun to partial shade. Barely cover the seeds with fine soil and tamp down firmly. Keep the soil consistently moist for best germination as the seeds are quite small. Thin seedlings to 12" apart. The sap of this plant can cause skin irritation, so take care when handling. At taller heights the plants may need staking to prevent flopping. Ann

Globe Amaranth Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:5”-7”
Plant Spacing:10”-15”
Days to Germination: 14-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Gomphrena. It can be direct-sown outdoors in warm climates, or in colder climates, it may be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed. Prepare bed in full sunlight with rich, well draining soil. Sow seeds in good seed-starting 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 prior to transplanting outside. Thin or transplant seedlings 10" to 15" apart. To increase production, pinch back the first blooms. Strawberry Fields is loved for its large, strawberry-h

Celosia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination: 10-15 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Syn: Cockscomb, Prince of Wales Feathers. A tender annual, Celosia prefers to be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Use individual peat pots or seed-starting cells since Celosia hates root disturbances. Sow seeds on top of the soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even, lukewarm moisture, strong light and warm temperatures above 60° F during germination. Prepare a garden bed that is in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant the seedlings into the garden, planting them 8" to 12" apar

Tree Mallow Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”-1/2”
Seed Spacing:5”-6”
Plant Spacing:18”-24”
Days to Germination: 7-20 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Lavatera trimestris. A Mediterranean heirloom, it can be grown almost anywhere, although it prefers cooler, moist summers. Sensitive to root disturbance, it is best sown directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Direct-sow 1⁄4" to 1⁄2" deep in rich, fertile and well-draining soil and full sun. Tamp down and keep the seedbed moist until seedlings emerge. If your season is short, you can start it indoors in peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting. When seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Thin plants to 18" to 24" apart. Provide consistent moisture. A long-lasting cut flower in white, silver, pink, pink with deep rose veins or mixed, Lavatera produces abundan

Larkspur Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination: 8-15 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Consolida ambigua. Larkspur tolerates cold weather and prefers to be direct-sown outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow 1⁄2" deep in well-draining, loamy soil with full sun. Firm well, since they require darkness for optimal germination. Keep uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 2 weeks after sowing. If you must start indoors and transplant out, sow in the early spring in a good seed-starting medium at about 65° to 75°F. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation until they are 3" tall. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks. Thin or transplant 8" to 12" apart in the garden. Weed carefully and keep well-watered until established. Their elegant

Snapdragon Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination: 10-14 days
Germination Temperature:60°-70°F

Antirrhinum majus. Snapdragons should be started indoors at least 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on top of the soil mix, leaving the seeds uncovered but pressed onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Provide even moisture and strong light during germination. Prepare a garden bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden the plants off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant the seedlings, planting them 8" to 12" apart. To encourage branching and flower production, pinch back the young plants. Snapdragons taller than 24" may require staking. This versatile annual, available in single and double blooms, is

Sunflowers Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:4”-5”
Plant Spacing:12”-24”
Days to Germination: 7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-85°F

Helianthus annuus. Easy to grow in full sunlight, they should be sown in well-draining, loamy soil after the danger of frost has passed. Plant the seeds 1⁄2" deep and keep the seedbed uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 days after sowing. Weed carefully and keep well-watered until established. You may also start Sunflowers indoors 3 weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds 1⁄2" deep in pots of good seed-starting mix at 65° to 85°F. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin or transplant them 12" to 24" apart in the garden. A good cut flower, this cheerful garden favorite may be planted successively every 3 weeks in the spring and early summer for more continuo

Milkweed Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:4”-6”
Plant Spacing:10”-12”
Days to Germination: 14-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Asclepias curassavica, the Blood Flower. Milkweed thrives in full to partial sunlight in most soil types. It 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. 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 outside over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. Bred for the professional cut flower trade, it is the best for summer butterfly gardens. It produces a profusion of yellow, red and orange flower clusters and spindly pods that launch flat seeds within fluffy white parachutes. Cut the flowers early in the day when they are al