Tips & Tools: Sow Seeds While They're Fresh - Gardenista

Tips & Tools: Sow Seeds While They're Fresh - Gardenista
Photography by Jason Ingram.
When you sow seed that fails, do you blame yourself? It’s a little known fact that the seeds of some of our favorite plants need to be sown fresh.
Most members of the Umbelliferae and many of the Ranunculaceae make gardeners feel bad about themselves because they don’t germinate.
The not so-humble-umbel Selinum wallichianum; a packet of 20 seeds is available for £2 from Special Plants. Sow them without further delay and put them in a cold glasshouse or cold frame for six weeks or so.
Giant fennel (Ferula communis) and friends can also be pushed into germinating at unexpected moments.
Persicaria orientalis (available for £2 per packet from Special Plants). All of the plants here are literally covered in seeds.
A flower arranger’s favorite, Smyrnium perfoliatum flowers in the UK from April. Fresh Smyrnium perfoliatum seed is due in June from Special Plants.
Bunium bulbocastaneum, £2 for 20 seeds from Special Plants. Added good news is that the seeds of these annuals can be left longer.
Special Plants nursery near Bath, in summer. For a list/reminder of seeds that need to be sown fresh, join the Special Plants mailing list.
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