Late Winter Bits and Bobs.

[Geoff]

Verbena bonariensis free seeds this month. Has anybody ever grown them from seed, how quickly do they develop? I usually raise my plants from cuttings of overwintered stock plants, if fact I was going to take the cuttings this week, but I'm wondering if I should use the seeds instead.
Got all my potatoes planted this week in a bed I sheeted over in January, sheet back on.

[Primrose]

Yes I was wondering abiut the verbena seeds too. Now qi can,t garde I was wondering if qi could just get my husband (who,s not a very proficient gardener) to just sprinkle the seeds in a couple of borders and see what develops.

Incidentally our regular visiting garden Robin was spotted feeding its baby on the fence this morning so perhaps it,s time to start a Spring thread at last?

[oldherbaceous]

Morning Geoff, I grow them from seeds most years, (give a lot to the fete and other charity plant stalls), as they are cheap and easy to do!
They germinate really easily and grow away quickly….maybe 8 to 10 weeks, from sowing to flowering!
They do need potting up quite quickly, if you want large plants, as they soon fill the pot with roots…..I normally pot them on into 2 litre pots, and at this stage they are in flower and about 5 foot tall!

[oldherbaceous]

I’m always worried about starting the Spring Bits and Bobs too early, because if the weather turns really bad, I get the blame…..

[Primrose]

Well OH , our magnolia and camelia blossoms are all starting to fall now so I don't think we'll blame you if you start a new thread.

[Geoff]

I know there is a new thread but thought I would finish the Verbena discussion. Thanks OH it sounds like they grow quickly. I've hedged my beds by sowing a few and taking some cuttings. I thought they might live and self seed with you and Primrose, they don't here but the feathery one, Verbena hastata, does but I and the butterflies don't like that as much.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Primrose, I meant to say, at one of the big gardens I work at, the Verbena self sows itself every year….so yes, it should be fine to sow it straight into the borders!