I'm a plant mother

[iris lilies]

Looking through the seed websites yesterday I NEARLY ordered a couple of the hybrid sunflowers that are so charming, but I stopped myself. I stopped because I remembered what a pain in the ass they are when they go to seed. They do not breed true and I fought them as weeds for years after planting them.

I suppose I could make an effort to clip their seed heads off when the bloom is mostly spent, but I’m afraid I would forget to do that.

I had a red hybrid celosia that went to seed for a few years, and each year the plants were further and further away from the original parents. They gradually became so scraggly I just pulled them out.

[pinkytoe]

Since I like to save seeds, I no longer buy or plant hybrids unless it is a veggie that grows well here.

[nswef]

Now you have me thinking I need to start some, but the high school is having their plants for sale in late April, so I will wait until then. I got some stock, nasturium, snap dragons (to supplement the self seeded), zinnia, dianthus and lavender to replace those that have gotten old and died. I plant seeds for sweet peas and cosmos. Larkspur and 4 o'clocks have self seeded for several years in a messy flower bed so I just let them go. I've had flax come back for a few years, but It is not reliable. I had to learn what the larkspur looked like when starting or I would dig it out. Same with poppies. And they still don't like me much...I admire those of you who start from seed. I did for several years but just got discouraged. It is so uplifting to read about!!!