Back to Info Sheets	Starting Perennials from Seed Start perennial seed in March and April for planting out in May and June.  Some varieties, such as biennials, may be started later in pots or in a prepared seedbed for transplanting later in the summer and bloom the next year. Perennials may also be sown in August and grown on for planting to the garden in late September but they may require winter protection such as cover in a cold frame to ensure winter survival.  Young seedlings must be hardened off before being planted out.  For germination and growing on use florescent lighting keeping the plants as close to the lights as possible (ie: 4 inches),or use a south facing, large window.  Check seed packs for temperatures and spacing.   PLANT                         NOTES ALYSSUM        Prechill seed for a few days. Grow Plants at 19C.  Sow 8-10 weeks before last frost. Do not cover seed. Keep warm for good germination. ARABIS           Do not cover seed. Keep temperature warm for good germination. AUBRETIA       Press seed into the soil. Keep temperature at 16C for best germination. AQUILEGA        Chill seeds 5 days before sowing. Do not cover seed. Can take up to 20 days to germinate. ENGLISH DAISY  Do not cover see. Germinatie at alternating 21-27C temperatures. Grow cool after germination, 15-18C. SNOW-IN-SUMMER   Start 7-8 weeks before last frost date. Grow on at 10C and bright light. BLACK EYED SUSANStart 4-6weeks before last frost.   COREOPSIS   Germinate at 24C. Seld seeds easily. LUPINS      Freeze seed for 48 hours then soak for 24 hours in damp newspaper.  Sow indoors in peat pots mid to late March and grow on at cool temperatures. DELPHINIUMSFreeze seed for 24 hours. Germinates at low temperatures of 13-18C.         GEUM Cover seed likghtly. Germinate at 21 C. POPPY           May be difficult to transplant, therfore peat pots work best. Do not cover seed. Keep in the dark to germinate. SWEET WILLIAM    Biennial. Start mid  March. Tolerant of cool temperatures. FOXGLOVE            Biennial. sow in peat pots. do no cover seed. Keep moist. If started early enough may bloom in first year.   ** Some seeds do not like to be transplanted and should be direct sown in peat pots. Sow thinly and pinch out unwanted seedlings to thin.  Try to avoid root disturbance. These include: ANISEFENNEL    ANNUAL PHLOX             FLAX BORAGE                LAVATERA       CALIFORNIA POPPY     MELONS     CARAWAY      MORNING GLORY CHERVIL       NASTURTIUM           CORIANDER          POPPIES             CORN                   STRAWFLOWERS CUCUMBERS          DILL     Vol. 97 no. 15
© Murray's Garden and Horticultural Services Last updated: March 4 2008