Horticulture Tips

Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:18”
Days to Germination:14-18 days
Germination Temperature:65°-70°F

Polygonum orientale. Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate requires a cold period to germinate reliably. Direct-sow in late fall or late winter for spring seedlings, or wrap the seeds in a moist paper towel, place them in a plastic baggie, and refrigerate them for 3-4 weeks in spring before either starting indoors or direct-sowing after the last frost date. If starting indoors, sow cold-treated seeds 1⁄8" deep in good seed-starting medium 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Provide even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Once established, thin to the strongest seedlings. Transplant carefully to minimize root disturbance. Once 3" tall, thin or transplant seedlings 2' to 3' apart in the garden. A moderate self-seeder, you'll lik

Honeywort Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/16”
Seed Spacing:2”-3”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:15-20 days
Germination Temperature:70°-75°F

Cerinthe major ssp. purpurascens. Easy to grow, Honeywort prefers to be direct-sown in full to partial sunlight in a sandy, well-draining spot in the garden. Soak seeds overnight, then direct-sow after the last frost date or raise as transplants 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after threat of frost has passed. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. Once seedlings are 2" tall, thin or transplant 12" to 15" apart. When happy, Honeywort may self-sow, yielding seedlings to spread about the garden or share with friends next spring. Try this floriferous annual in containers, too, where its glaucous, textural foliage and dusky purple flowers can

Heuchera Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”-15”
Days to Germination:15-25 days
Germination Temperature:55°F

Heuchera sanguinea, Coral Bells. Heuchera should be direct sown outside after all threat of frost has passed. Prepare a garden bed in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-draining soil. Heuchera may also be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting out after the threat of frost has passed. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. When the seedlings are 2" tall, thin or transplant to 12" to 15" apart. A perfect companion for other woodland shade lovers once mature, Heuchera has beautiful foliage and precious little flowers borne on delicate stems. It may bloom the first year if started early enough in the spring. Spring to summer flowering.

Helichrysum Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:18”
Days to Germination:7-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Helichrysum microphyllum, the Licorice Plant. Start transplants indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out after the threat of frost has passed. Each pellet contains 3 seeds. Sow seed pellets on top of sterile starter mix, leaving them uncovered but pressed firmly onto the soil surface, as light is needed for germination. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into 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 10" to 12" apart to a well-draining, rich, moist garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Water regul

False Indigo Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:3”-4”
Plant Spacing:18”
Days to Germination:10-14 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Baptisia australis. Start transplants indoors 2 weeks before the last frost date. Prior to planting, carefully nick the hard seed coat with a file and/or soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water to assist germination. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, good air circulation and even moisture. Avoid overwatering. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger, deeper pots for full root system development. After all danger of frost has passed and seedlings are 4" tall, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 18" apart in rich, well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight. Water regularly. Mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. It will probably not bloom until

Euphorbia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:12”
Days to Germination:10-21 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Euphorbia marginata, Snow on the Mountain. Start transplants indoors 6 to 8 weeks before setting out after the last frost date. Sow seeds in sterile seed starter mix. Pamper with 70°F temperatures, good air circulation, strong light and even moisture. Cover with plastic wrap until sprouts emerge: then discard plastic. Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors for 1 to 2 weeks. Carefully transplant out into rich, well-draining soil in full sunlight spaced 8" to 12" apart. In warmer climates, direct sow after the threat of frost has passed. Prized for its top-branching white and green variegated foliage, Euphorbia’s milky juice is toxic and is a skin and eye irritant. Cut flower ends should be flame seared or dipped in boiling w

Delphinium Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/2”
Seed Spacing:1”
Plant Spacing:8”-12”
Days to Germination:14-18 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Delphinium elatum. Delphinium 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 soil 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

Datura Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/8”-1/4”
Seed Spacing:3”-4”
Plant Spacing:36”
Days to Germination:21-42 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Datura metel. Start transplants indoors 10 to 12 weeks before setting out at least 2 weeks after the last frost date. To assist germination, soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Plant seeds in sterile starter mix. Cover with plastic wrap until sprouts emerge, then discard plastic. Pamper with 65°-75°F temperatures, good air circulation and even moisture. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger, deeper pots for full root system development. Two weeks after all danger of frost has passed (minimum 55°F overnight), harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. Transplant out 36" apart to a well-draining, rich, moist garden bed in full to partial sunlight. Water regularly. Feed as needed

Dahlia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:1/4”
Seed Spacing:6”-8”
Plant Spacing:18”-20”
Days to Germination:5-10 days
Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

Dahlia variabilis. Dahlias are best started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outside after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds in good seed-starting medium at 70°F with even moisture, strong light and good ventilation. Prepare bed in full to partial sunlight with rich, well-draining soil. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outside conditions for 1 to 2 weeks prior to transplanting outside. Dahlias are moisture-loving plants. Mulch to conserve moisture, water consistently and fertilize as necessary. When the first frost kills the stems and leaves, dig up the tubers and store them in slightly dampened peat moss at 45° to 55°F over the winter. Good cutting flowers, The Collarette Mixture includes white, red, scarlet

Creeping Zinnia Sowing Instructions
Planting Depth:0”
Seed Spacing:1”-2”
Plant Spacing:5”-6”
Days to Germination:10-15 days
Germination Temperature:55°-60°F

Sanvitalia procumbens. Easy to grow: Direct-sow seeds in full to partial sunlight after the last frost date, just pressing the seeds lightly into the soil, as light is needed for germination, or raise as transplants 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting out after threat of frost has passed. Provide even moisture and strong light. Harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating them outside over 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting out. Once seedlings are 2" tall, thin or transplant 5" to 6" apart. This mat-forming miniature sunflower look-a-like thrives in heat and humidity. A great annual groundcover, it’s also a wonderful plant for containers. Early summer- to fall-flowering. Height: 4" to 8".

Shade Tolerance