All About Newport

Get sowing and dream of summer! by Martin Blow - www.specialperennials.com Have you noticed how after a cold winter self-sown seedlings pop up in greater numbers than usual? We are used to sowing pots of seeds on our window sill or in a warm greenhouse in spring, but some seeds really do need a whole winter’s cold before they will germinate in spring. So now is a great time to sow these and it couldn’t be easier. Not all perennials work this way – some do need heat so do check first. We’ve selected out some of the easiest and most reliable types we grow this way. You don’t need any indoor space or expensive equipment just a suitable container, some seed compost and something to keep excess rain off and mother nature will do the rest. Janet is sower-in-chief in our garden and right now she is filling containers – we use plastic module trays – with a good quality seed compost. Its important to gently tamp it down and water thoroughly. Leave it to drain and settle before sowing. Large seeds should be lightly covered with dry compost – Janet uses an old plastic sieve to ensure an even, thin layer. Small seed can be gently pressed onto the surface of the compost. The trays or pans must be put outside in the cold. Some people cover the surface with a fine alpine grit to stop moss growth and protect from rain. Janet covers hers with clear plastic tops remembering to secure them fromblowing off in the wind. Now all that is needed is patience and some winter cold. In spring seed will start to germinate as the weather warms up. Once the seedlings have some proper leaves it’s time to pot them on. One of the easiest is Mallow (Malva) which germinate easily in the winter and quickly make good flowering plantsbyearly summer.Thebloodycranebill (Geranium sanguineum) are easily raised from seed and“Striatum”, “Album” and “Vision Violet” will come completely true from seed. We also find that the meadow cranesbill (Geranium pratense) germinate well after winter cold but you will need to ensure that your seed is true if you want good plants of named types. Angelica is a well-known herb and wildflower and there are some lovely, showier cousins you can grow from winter-sown seed. Seed must be fresh for success! Spanish Angelica (A. gigas) has large beetroot red flowers and “Vicar’s Mead” has bronze leaves and pink flowers. I’ve only just scratched the surface of winter seed sowing, but I hope I’ve given you some ideas. So why not get sowing and dream of all that summer colour! Angelica Gigas (above), Malva Zebrina (bottom left), and Geranium Sanguineum Striatum (right) ALL ABOUT MAGAZINE | FEATURE 43