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Chantal Guiraud from Montpellier, France is running a seed exchange for MGS members. Chantal has a good selection of seeds, a list of which appears below, mostly provided by herself but also now from our members. The list is now open for orders. Please read the instructions carefully before you order and remember that although you are not obliged to send seeds in exchange, only by receiving seeds from members can Chantal add to the list of seeds on offer. Watch this page for additions to and deletions from the list. FP
Here we go again, and this year's list is as good as last year's. The Greek wind has blown on to our seed list and we are thus happy to offer you a chance to grow plants from the MGS garden in Sparoza. I'd like to express my warm thanks to Sally Razelou who gave me these treasures when we visited the garden in early November just before our AGM.
In case you want to choose from among these very drought-resistant plants, here are some of them: Argemone ochroleuca, Artemisia californica, Bupleurum flavum, Cneorum tricoccon, Crocus goulimyi, Cyclamen graecum, Delphinium staphisagria, Gagea graeca, Ipomoea quamoclit, Parkinsonia aculeata, Ulmus parvifolia.
Other seeds from Cyprus: Bauhinia variegata, Capparis spinosa, Cistus creticus, Gladiolus italicus, Majorana syriaca, Schinus molle, Senna artemisioides, Suaeda vera.
Some items have disappeared from the seed list, as I had to throw away older seeds. This is why we need fresh seeds every year. You are encouraged to send me your seeds even in small quantities, but cleaned and well named with genera, species, year and place of collection.
Orders (without any closing date) should be sent to me at:
75 rue de la Vieille Poste, 34000 Montpellier, France
or to: mgsseedlist@gmail.com.
When you order your seeds, don’t forget to give me your name and address.
Members may order 10 packets, while donors may order 15 packets. There is no cost: this service is free for all MGS members. Don't forget to give me substitutes if you want to receive your full allocation. Most items are available only in very small quantities. All members are responsible for complying with their local laws.
It is a good practice to begin sowing in January/February/ March (in the northern hemisphere); however, in a mediterranean climate, autumn sowing (in pots) is also a good choice.
Chantal Guiraud
Seed List
January 2010
Abelmoschus manihot = Hibiscus manihot(Greece) |
2007 |
|
Abutilon sp. (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
orange |
Acacia cultriformis (Cap Roig-Spain) |
2007 |
|
Acacia farnesiana (France) |
2008 |
|
Acacia melanoxylon (California) |
2008 |
|
Acacia saligna (France) |
2008 |
|
Acer macrophyllum (Oregon-USA) |
2008 |
|
Acer monspessulanum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Achillea aegyptiaca (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Achillea filipendulina 'Jaune Bronze' |
|
|
Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen' (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Agapanthus africanus (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Albizia julibrissin (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Albuca aurea (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Albuca spiralis (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Alcea rosea |
2006 |
mixed colors |
Alcea rosea |
2006 |
pink |
Alcea rosea |
2006 |
cream |
Alcea rugosa |
2007 |
|
Allium cristophii (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Allium fistulosum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Allium tuberosum (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Aloe plicatilis (Adelaide-Australia) |
2009 |
orange |
Aloysia citrodora = Aloysia triphylla (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Alyogyne huegelii (California) |
2008 |
|
Amaranthus hypochondriacus 'Alegria' |
2005 |
|
Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Angelica sylvestris 'Purpurea' (California) |
2008 |
|
Annona cherimola |
2007 |
|
Anomatheca laxa (Great Britain) |
2009 |
mixed pink and white |
Anthyllis barba-jovis (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Aquilegia vulgaris |
2007 |
pink |
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow' (Australia) |
2008 |
mauve |
Araujia sericofera (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Argemone ochroleuca (Sparoza-greece) |
2009 |
|
Artemisia californica (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Asclepias curassavica (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Asphodelus albus |
2007 |
|
Asphodelus fistulosus |
2009 |
|
Asphodelus luteus = Asphodeline lutea (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Asphodelus ramosus (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Athanasia parviflora (Australia) |
2009 |
|
Baptisia australis (Italy) |
2008 |
|
Bauhinia variegata (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Bauhinia variegata 'Candida' (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Bauhinia x blakeana (Cyprus) |
2008 |
|
Belamcanda chinensis |
2009 |
|
Berkheya purpurea (Italy) |
2008 |
|
Berlandiera lyrata (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Beschorneria septentrionalis (Australia) |
2009 |
|
Bessera elegans (Great Britain) |
2007 |
|
Bletilla striata (Bali-Indonesia) |
2007 |
|
Brachychiton discolor (-7°C) |
2007 |
|
Brachypodium phoenicoides |
|
|
Brahea armata (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Briza media 'Limouzi' (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Brugmansia arborea (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Brunfelsia australis (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Brunfelsia pauciflora (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Bupleurum flavum (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Bupleurum fruticosum (Blanes-Spain) |
2007 |
|
Caesalpinia gilliesii (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Callistemon citrinus (Minervois-France) |
2008 |
|
Callistemon sp. (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Camellia japonica |
2009 |
|
Camellia sp. (Corsica-France) |
2008 |
white |
Campanula pyramidalis |
2008 |
white |
Campsis radicans (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Camptosema rubicundum |
2007 |
|
Capparis spinosa (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Capsicum annuum 'Spitfire' (hot, long and thin chilli) |
2006 |
|
Capsicum chinense 'Rocotillo' (slightly hot chilli)) |
2005 |
|
Cardiospermum halicacabum (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Catalpa ovata (Drôme-France) |
2009 |
|
Centaurea bella (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Centratherum intermedium (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Ceratonia siliqua (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Cercis canadensis var. occidentalis (Spain) |
2007 |
|
Cercis siliquastrum (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Cerinthe major (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Cestrum nocturnum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Cheirolophus arbutifolius (La Mortola-Italy) |
2007 |
|
Chimonanthus praecox (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Cistus albidus (wild collected, Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Cistus creticus (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Cistus monspeliensis (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Cistus salviifolius (Adelaide-Australia) |
2009 |
|
Citrullus lanatus ("citre" or "gigérine") |
2009 |
|
Clematis cirrhosa (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Clematis integrifolia (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Clematis mandschurica (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Clematis tangutica (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Cleome 'Reine Rose' |
2006 |
|
Clivia miniata (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Cneorum tricoccon (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Cobaea scandens (Great Britain) |
2008 |
purple |
Columnea gloriosa (Cyprus) |
2007 |
|
Colutea arborescens (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Consolida regalis |
2007 |
|
Cordyline indivisa = Dracaena indivisa |
|
|
Coronilla valentina |
2008 |
|
Cosmos sulphureus(Oregon-USA) |
2008 |
|
Crithmum maritimum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Crocus cartwrightianus (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Crocus goulimyi (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Cucumis melo 'Oka du Quebec' (melon) |
2005 |
|
Cucurbita pepo 'Trompette de Nice' (courgette) |
2003 |
|
Cupressus sempervirens (Turkey) |
2007 |
|
Cyclamen coum (Cyprus) |
2009 |
pink |
Cyclamen coum |
2008 |
white |
Cyclamen graecum (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Cyclamen hederifolium (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Cynara cardunculus (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Cytisus battandieri (Paris-France) |
2009 |
|
Datura inoxia (Crete-Greece) |
2008 |
|
Datura metel 'Ballerina Purple' |
2008 |
|
Datura stramonium (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Delairea odorata = Senecio mikanioides (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Delonix regia (Bali-Indonesia) |
2007 |
|
Delphinium requienii (Clapiers-France) |
2007 |
|
Delphinium sp. (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
pale blue |
Delphinium sp. (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
white |
Delphinium staphisagria (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Dianthus barbatus (Great Britain) |
2007 |
|
Dicliptera sericea = Dicliptera suberecta |
2007 |
|
Dierama pulcherrimum (California) |
2008 |
|
Dietes iridioides (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Dietes sp. (California) |
2008 |
white |
Dioscorea batatas |
2007 |
|
Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea' (France) |
2008 |
|
Dregea sinensis (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Duranta erecta = Duranta plumieri (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Ecballium elaterium (Australia) |
|
|
Elegia tectorum (California) |
2008 |
|
Eriogonum arborescens |
|
|
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens |
2008 |
|
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa (rocket) |
2007 |
|
Eryngium agavifolium |
|
|
Eryngium amethystinum |
|
|
Eryngium bourgatii (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Eryngium ebracteatum |
2008 |
|
Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Erysimum sp. (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
mixed colors |
Erythrina crista-galli (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Eschscholzia californica (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Eschscholzia californica 'Dusky Rose' (California) |
|
|
Eucalyptus camaldulensis |
2007 |
|
Eugenia uniflora (Cerisier de Cayenne)(Portugal) |
2007 |
|
Euonymus alatus (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Eupatorium purpureum (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Euphorbia marginata (Corfu) |
2007 |
|
Euphorbia rigida |
2009 |
|
Fallugia paradoxa (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Ferula communis (Australia) |
2009 |
|
Ferula communis subsp. Glauca |
2007 |
|
Firmiana simplex (Paris-France) |
2009 |
|
Foeniculum vulgare |
2007 |
|
Franklinia alatamaha (Oregon-USA) |
2008 |
|
Freesia leichtlinii (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Fremontodendron sp. (California) |
2008 |
|
Gagea graeca (Sparoza-greece) |
2009 |
|
Galega officinalis (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Galtonia candicans (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Galvezia speciosa |
2008 |
|
Gladiolus carmineus (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Gladiolus carneus (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Gladiolus illyricus (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Gladiolus italicus (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Glaucium corniculatum |
2008 |
orange |
Gleditsia triacanthos (Tourettes-sur-Loup-France) |
2007 |
|
Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana' (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Gomphocarpus fruticosus (Limoux-France) |
2008 |
|
Goniolimon incanum = Limonium speciosum |
2009 |
|
Grewia occidentalis (Cap Roig-Spain) |
2007 |
|
Habranthus martinezii (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Habranthus sp. (Great Britain) |
2009 |
blue |
Helenium sp. |
2008 |
orange |
Helianthus annuus (Clapiers-France) |
2007 |
|
Helichrysum italicum (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Helleborus foetidus 'Gold Bullion' (Australia) |
2008 |
|
Helleborus sp. |
2008 |
pink |
Hemerocallis sp. |
2007 |
yellow |
Heteromeles salicifolia = Heteromeles arbutifolia |
|
|
Hibiscus coccineus |
2007 |
|
Hibiscus militaris (Greece) |
2007 |
|
Hibiscus paramutabilis (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Hibiscus paramutabilis 'Shanghai Pink' (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Hibiscus syriacus (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Hunnemannia fumariifolia (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Hymenosporum flavum (Australia) |
|
|
Hypericum balearicum (France) |
2008 |
|
Hyssopus officinalis (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Incarvillea arguta (California) |
2008 |
|
Indigofera 'Dosua' (Cap Roig-Spain) |
2007 |
|
Inula magnifica (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Ipheion 'Rolf Fiedler' (Great Britain) |
2007 |
|
Ipomoea lobata (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Ipomoea purpurea |
2007 |
mixed colors |
Ipomoea purpurea |
2007 |
white and blue |
Ipomoea quamoclit (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Iris douglasiana (California) |
2008 |
|
Iris ensata |
2007 |
|
Iris foetidissima (Clapiers-France) |
2009 |
|
Iris graminea (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Iris unguicularis (Italy) |
2008 |
|
Juniperus phoenicea (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Kleinia mandraliscae (Cap Roig-Spain) |
2007 |
|
Kniphofia sp. |
2009 |
|
Koelreuteria paniculata |
2007 |
|
Lachenalia reflexa (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Lagenaria siceraria (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Lagunaria patersonii (Cyprus) |
2008 |
|
Lathyrus odoratus |
2006 |
red/hot pink |
Lavandula stoechas ssp. pedunculata |
|
|
Lavatera maritima |
2008 |
|
Leonotis leonurus var. albiflora (Adelaide-Australia) |
2009 |
white |
Leonitis ocymifolia (Sparoza- Greece) |
2009 |
|
Lepechinia hastata (California) |
2008 |
|
Leucaena glauca (syn. L. leucocephala) |
2007 |
|
Liatris aspera (Italy) |
2008 |
|
Lilium henryi (Montferrier-France) |
2007 |
|
Linaria dalmatica |
2007 |
|
Linaria peloponnesiaca (Mt. Olympos-Greece) |
2008 |
|
Linaria purpurea 'Canon Went' (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Linum flavum |
|
|
Linum narbonense 'Heavenly Blue' (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Linum perenne |
|
|
Littonia modesta (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Lophospermum erubescens (Languedoc-France) |
2007 |
|
Luma apiculata (Myrtus luma) |
|
|
Lunaria annua (France) |
2008 |
|
Lupinus arboreus (California) |
2008 |
|
Lychnis coronaria |
2008 |
|
Lychnis coronaria 'Alba' (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Lychnis coronaria Oculata Group (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Lychnis flos-jovis (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Lycoris chinensis (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Macfadyena unguis-cati (=Doxantha unguis-cati)(Greece) |
2009 |
|
Majorana syriaca (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Magnolia grandiflora (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Mandragora autumnalis (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Matthiola sp. (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Maurandya barclayana (Sparoza-Greece) = Asarina barclayana |
2008 |
|
Medicago arborea (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Melasphaerula ramosa (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Melia azederach (France) |
2008 |
|
Melianthus comosus (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Mimulus aurantiacus (California) |
2008 |
|
Mirabilis jalapa (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
cerise pink |
Mirabilis jalapa (France) |
2008 |
white |
Mirabilis jalapa (Great Britain) |
2008 |
multicoloured |
Molinia caerulea (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Moraea papilionacea (Australia) |
2008 |
|
Myrtus communis (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Narcissus jonquilla (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Nerium oleander (Great Britain)(Greece) |
2009 |
|
Nicandra physalodes |
|
|
Nicotiana sylvestris |
2009 |
white |
Nigella damascena |
2009 |
blue |
Ocimum basilicum (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Oenothera odorata |
2008 |
|
Paeonia sp. (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
white |
Paliurus spina-christi (Vidauban-France) |
2008 |
|
Pancratium maritimum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Pandorea jasminoides (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
pink |
Papaver atlanticum 'Flore Pleno' (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Papaver rhoeas Mother of Pearl Group (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Papaver somniferum (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
mixed colors |
Paraserianthes lophanta (Ajaccio-France) |
2007 |
|
Parkinsonia aculeata (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Pavonia hastata |
2008 |
|
Pavonia missionum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Pennisetum orientale |
|
|
Penstemon barbatus (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Persicaria orientalis (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Phaenosperma globosa (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Phaseolus coccineus (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Phlomis fruticosa (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Phlomis russeliana (Tourettes-sur-Loup-France) |
2007 |
|
Phormium 'Sundowner' (Italy) |
2007 |
|
Plantago major 'Rubrifolia' |
2007 |
|
Plumbago auriculata (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Podranea ricasoliana (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Polyxena corymbosa (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Polyxena ensifolia (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Polyxena odorata (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Psidium littorale var. longipes (strawberry guava) |
2007 |
|
Ptelea trifoliata (Minervois-France) |
2008 |
|
Ptilostemon chamaepeuce |
2009 |
|
Punica granatum var. nana (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Ratibida columnifera f. pulcherrima (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Rehmannia elata (Montpellier-France) |
2006 |
|
Retama raetam (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Rhamnus alaternus |
2007 |
|
Romulea diversiformis (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Romulea monticola (Great Britain) |
2008 |
|
Romulea saldanhensis (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Rubia tinctorum |
2008 |
|
Ruellia tweediana = Ruellia brittoniana (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Ruta graveolens (Clapiers-France) |
2007 |
|
Salvia apiana (California) |
2008 |
|
Salvia argentea (Great Britain) |
2007 |
|
Salvia azurea (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Salvia canariensis f. candidissima (California) |
2008 |
|
Salvia canariensis f. candidissima (Graveson-France) |
2007 |
|
Salvia desoleana (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' |
2007 |
|
Salvia ianthina (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Salvia indica |
2007 |
lavender |
Salvia nemorosa (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Salvia nubicola (California) |
2009 |
|
Salvia officinalis (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Salvia sclarea (Monpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica (Greece) |
2007 |
|
Salvia spathacea 'Powerline Pink' (California) |
2008 |
|
Salvia tiliifolia (California) |
2008 |
|
Sandersonia aurantiaca (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Scabiosa cretica (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Schinus molle (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Scilla hyacinthoides |
2007 |
|
Scilla peruviana |
2007 |
|
Senecio petasitis (Cap Roig-Spain) |
2007 |
|
Senna artemisioides (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Senna corymbosa syn.Cassia corymbosa (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Senna multiglandulosa (Mallorca-Spain) |
2009 |
|
Senna sp. (Greece) |
2007 |
|
Sesbania punicea |
2008 |
|
Sisyrinchium striatum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Solanum laciniatum (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Solanum pyracanthum (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Stipa pulcherrima |
|
|
Streptosolen jamesonii (Cyprus) |
2008 |
|
Styrax officinalis (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Suaeda vera (Cyprus) |
2009 |
|
Tagetes lemmonii (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Tagetes lucida (California) |
2008 |
|
Tagetes patula (Languedoc-France) |
2007 |
yellow |
Tecoma x alata = Tecoma x smithii (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Thevetia peruviana (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Tibouchina sp. (Languedoc-France) |
2008 |
|
Trachelium caeruleum (Montpellier-France) |
2008 |
|
Trachelospermum asiaticum (Montpellier-France) |
2009 |
|
Tragopogon porrifolius (Montpellier-France) |
2007 |
|
Tritonia securigera (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Tulbaghia violacea (Great Britain) |
2009 |
|
Tweedia caerulea (Languedoc-France) |
2009 |
|
Ulmus parvifolia (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Urginea maritima (Sparoza-Greece) |
2009 |
|
Verbena rigida (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Viburnum tinus |
2007 |
|
Vitex agnus-castus (Greece) |
2009 |
|
Wisteria sinensis (Greece) |
2008 |
|
Yucca whipplei (California) |
2008 |
|
Sowing in summer
Even if the ideal periods for sowing perennials are spring or early autumn, late August is a good season for beginning to sow. The trick is to learn how the plant would germinate and grow in nature. So try to sow the seed at the same time that it would be sown naturally.
For seeds needing cold stratification, like acanthus, the easiest way is to sow them and put the pots outside for the winter, letting Mother Nature do the work. You just have to make sure the pots don’t dry out. Seed only starts the germination process in the presence of moisture; once this process has started, drying out is fatal to the seed embryo.
Most perennials will need at least two growing seasons to reach flowering size, while some require more time. So, if germination occurs in autumn, over-winter the seedlings in a greenhouse or a cold frame. Don’t throw out a seed pot just because nothing seems to have happened, sonce some plants take two or three years to germinate.
Here is a list of some perennials to sow in late summer: Alyssum saxatile (syn. Aurinia saxatilis), aster, campanula, catananche, centaurea, gaillardia, gaura, geranium, gerbera, perennial grasses, nepeta, dianthus, papaver, salvia and scabiosa.
Biennals are best started in late spring or summer for transplanting to their permanent homes in late summer or autumn: violas, Cheiranthus cheiri (syn. Erysimum cheiri), Bellis perennis, Hesperis matronalis, etc.
Fast-growing hardy annuals are usually sown in spring but they can be sown in July and will flower later in the season, as for example: Eschscholzia californica, Centaurea cyanus, Delphinium ajacis (syn. Consolida ambigua), Dimorphotheca aurantiaca, Iberis amara, Linaria maroccana, Reseda odorata, Calendula officinalis, Chrysanthemum carinatum, Alyssum maritimum (syn. Lobularia maritima) or Tropaeolum majus.
Sowing in autumn
Some hardy annual flowers can be sown early in the autumn outside and stand the winter season without any protection; they will be stronger and will flower earlier. Generally they are meadow flowers that germinate in autumn and stay as seedlings during winter before flowering in summer. Others, less hardy, may be sown either in situ, covered with a light protection in case of frost, or in pots over-wintered in a garden frame.
Many perennials, most shrubs and trees from temperate or cold regions and some desert plants need a period of cold to break dormancy and encourage them to germinate. Sowing seeds outside in the autumn, usually in pots, allows them to experience the ups and downs of winter temperatures and encourages them to germinate in the spring. If germination occurs in autumn, over-winter the seedlings in a greenhouse or a cold frame. Don’t throw out a seed pot just because nothing seems to have happened, for some plants may take two or three years to germinate.
If you want to have a try, here is a selection from our new seed list of plants that can be sown in autumn:
Achillea |
Agapanthus |
Albizia julibrissin (Greece) |
Alcea |
Allium tuberosum (Montpellier-France) |
Asphodelus |
Bupleurum |
Caesalpinia gilliesii (Greece) |
Callistemon sp. |
Carissa bispinosa (Blanes-Spain) |
Centaurea bella |
Ceratonia siliqua (Greece) |
Cercis siliquastrum |
Cistus |
Clematis tangutica (Montpellier-France) |
Colutea arborescens (Montpellier-France) |
Coronilla valentina |
Cosmos sulphureus(Oregon-USA) |
Cyclamen |
Dianthus barbatus (Great Britain) |
Eryngium |
Eschscholzia californica |
Ferula communis |
Glaucium corniculatum |
Gleditsia triacanthos (Tourettes-sur-Loup-France) |
Hypericum |
Hyssopus officinalis (Montpellier-France) |
Incarvillea arguta (California) |
Iris douglasiana (California) |
Juniperus phoenicea (Greece) |
Kniphofia sp. |
Lathyrus odoratus |
Lunaria annua |
Lupinus arboreus (California) |
Lychnis coronaria |
Macfadyena unguis-cati |
Melianthus |
Myrtus communis (Greece) |
Phlomis russeliana (Tourettes-sur-Loup-France) |
Retama |
Rhamnus alaternus |
Ruta graveolens (Clapiers-France) |
Salvia |
Scabiosa hymnetia |
Sesbania punicea |
Sisyrinchium striatum |
Stipa pulcherrima |
Styrax officinale |
Talinum paniculatum |
Verbena rigida (Greece) |
Yucca whipplei (California) |
Chantal Guiraud |
