Flowers and Herbs for Late Summer Seeding

Many of these plants are biennials plants that live only two seasons and then die after they have produced seeds. The natural growth cycle of these plants gives a clue to those plants that benefit from seeding now. Among the plants in this category are bachelor' button, bells of Ireland, honesty (money plant), larkspur, pansy, sweet William, and such garden herbs as parsley or chives.

The young seedlings of these plants are normally quite hardy and survive the winter well. In some cases, a light mulch or planting in a protected spot can provide added insurance that they survive if faced with a very severe winter. The pansy is the only one that is more lender. It should be sown in a cold frame and provided with a more enclosed protection. With the exception of pansy, these plants might be sown directly where they are to flower. Those with a deep taproot, such as larkspur, perform better if not transplanted in the spring.

Prompt fall planting and quick germination are important however, as these plants should be off to a good start and fairly well developed before winter. Young, weak plants are easily killed or heaved out during the freezing and thawing of early spring. Very small plants, even though they survive, may not flower next season and have to be grown for an additional year before they flower.

An entire bed might be designated from these plants alone. Larkspur is tall and may be used for a background. Larkspur varieties are available in several shades of pink, white or purple. The spikes are attractive in the garden as cut flowers or may be dried for winter arrangements. Bachelor's buttons are a good companion to larkspur since they are not quite as tall and start to flower earlier. Their colors blend well, since bachelor's buttons are also available in pinks, whites and blues.

For novelty in the garden, or for dried arrangements, both honesty and bells of Ireland could be planted now. These plants are less showy in bloom than the others but have many uses. Honesty, also called money plant, has lavender or white flowers early in spring followed by large, flat seeding structures. The seed pods may be opened, and the seeds removed, leaving silvery, papery discs suitable for dried arrangements.

Bells of Ireland is often listed as a green flower, although the showy green part is an enlarged calyx and the small, true flowers are white. The spikes of these green, bell-shaped structures are popular in fresh flower arrangements or as dried material for fall and winter arrangements. Seeds of this plant often germinate rather poorly, so sow seeds heavily to insure a good stand.

Sweet William also fits this garden since it grows lower and can be used closer to the front. An edging of parsley or chives could be both attractive and useful. These seeds germinate best under moist, cool conditions. Therefore, during hot days, it is best to provide some shade over the rows during germination by placing boards, cloth or newspapers over the rows. Remove the coverings as soon as the seedlings emerge, and continue to keep the surface moist at all times. Remember that many of these plants will die after they flower next season. However, many will reseed, leaving only the problem of thinning and reorganizing them.

Mac Perry's Florida Lawn and Garden Care, by Mac Perry.