Author: TheGardener

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Billardiera longiflora, known as Climbing Blueberry or Purple Appleberry, is an elegant, twining evergreen vine native to Tasmania and southeastern Australia. In the garden it thrives in humus rich, neutral to acidic, lime free soils and appreciates consistent moisture with excellent drainage. It grows happily in partial shade to morning sun—conditions very much like a cool, coastal forest edge—making it well suited to sheltered sites in coastal British Columbia. Hardy roughly to USDA Zone 8–9, it reaches 2–3 m and produces narrow, bell shaped flowers that open pale chartreuse, age through creamy white, and finally blush lavender purple. By autumn, clusters of glossy violet 2.5cm berries hang among the dark green foliage, giving the plant a quietly exotic presence. Slow to establish, but definitely worth the wait.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Seed germination is slow and irregular, and patience is essential. Seeds are relatively short-lived, with germination rates reducing considerably after 12 months. Seeds can be sown at any time, covered lightly, and kept at 15–20 °C. Some sites suggest germination may take place under these conditions within 2-6 months, but this is not our experience. After six months at room temperature, germination required a further 2 months at 3–5 °C with radicles appearing while in cold stratification. Once germinated, seeds are grown on at 15–20 °C.

#evergreenvines#SeedGermination#GrowFromSeed#UnusualPlants#PlantPropagation#vines#SeedStarting#NativePlants#ShadeGarden#Stratification#Billardiera

Skill Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Cyclamen cyprium, the national flower of Cyprus, is a graceful autumn blooming species adapted to the island’s rocky, Mediterranean woodlands. In the wild it survives hot, bone dry summers tucked into crevices and limestone ledges, then awakens with the first autumn rains to grow in the cool, humus-rich leaf litter that accumulates in the cracks. This seasonal rhythm makes it exceptionally well suited to a drier, shady corner of the garden, where many plants struggle. Its marbled foliage emerges in early autumn, followed by soft pink, lightly scented flowers from October into November. Growth continues through winter and early spring before the plant retreats into its summer dormancy, during which dryness is essential. Hardy to roughly USDA Zone 7, it thrives in containers, troughs, and woodland beds where its subtle beauty can be appreciated.

Our Seed Germinating Experience

Seed germination is straightforward and ideal for beginners. Store dry seeds in the fridge for no longer than 6 months from harvest as germination rates reduce noticeably if kept longer. We have found soaking unnecessary. Sow at any time, covered lightly, and kept at ordinary room temperature, where they typically germinate in 4–6 weeks. Above all, excellent drainage is critical—both for seedlings and mature plants—mirroring the porous, rocky soils of its native habitat. Once established, Cyclamen cyprium is remarkably resilient, provided it receives moisture in winter and a reliably dry rest in summer.

Photo from cyclamen.org

#Cyclamen#SeedGermination#GrowFromSeed#MediterraneanPlants#PlantPropagation#SeedStarting#WoodlandGarden#AutumnBloomers

Skill Level: Beginner

Bukiniczia cabulica, sometimes called the Afghan Pink or simply Bukiniczia, is a striking rosette forming member of the bellflower family native to rocky, sun washed slopes of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its low, architectural whorl of silver green, lanceolate leaves looks almost sculptural, and in its second or third year it sends up a tall, airy spire of soft pinkish, starry flowers that hover above the foliage like a cloud of confetti. As a monocarpic species, each rosette flowers once and then dies, but it often self sows lightly in well drained, gritty soil, allowing the plant to persist in the garden with minimal effort. Perfect for troughs, crevice gardens, and dry borders, it thrives in full sun and lean conditions, echoing the rugged alpine habitats it comes from.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Seed germination is refreshingly straightforward—ideal for beginners. Seeds can be sown at any time, covered very lightly, and kept at ordinary room temperature, where they typically germinate in about 7 days. Once seedlings appear, they grow on happily in bright light with careful watering and excellent drainage.

Photo: Garden.org

#rockgarden #SeedGermination #GrowFromSeed #UnusualPlants #PlantPropagation #SeedStarting#AlpinePlants #Monocarpic

Skill Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Galtonia candicans, often called the Summer Hyacinth, is a luminous late summer bloomer native to South Africa’s moist mountain grasslands. In the wild it grows during the warm, rainy season, storing energy in its large bulbs before sending up tall, elegant spires of white, bell shaped flowers. This seasonal rhythm makes it exceptionally well suited to sunny borders and mixed perennial plantings where height, fragrance, and late season freshness are welcome. Its strappy foliage emerges late in spring—often long after surrounding perennials have woken—making it an ideal companion for early spring bulbs whose fading foliage it neatly conceals. By midsummer, stems rise to 3–4 ft, topped with airy cascades of white bells that sway with the slightest breeze.

After flowering, Galtonia candicans naturally retreats into a post bloom dormancy, during which watering can be reduced. Hardy to USDA Zone 6–7 it thrives in rich, moisture retentive but well drained soil in full sun.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Seed germination is straightforward. Sow at ordinary room temperature, covered lightly, where seeds typically germinate in 4–8 weeks. Seedlings grow steadily through their first summer, forming small bulbs that increase in size each year. Expect 2–3 years from germination to first bloom, depending on climate and growing conditions. Once established, Galtonia candicans is a resilient, long lived garden bulb, returning reliably each year with minimal care and offering a graceful vertical accent at a time when many plants are past their peak.

Photo: rhs.org.uk

#Galtonia#SeedGermination#GrowFromSeed#SummerBloomers#PlantPropagation#SeedStarting#BulbGarden#LateEmergers#FragrantFlowers

Skill Level: Beginner

Roscoea purpurea is a 18-24″ tall, cool climate ginger from the Himalayan foothills, where monsoon summers and crisp, dry winters shape its rhythm. Emerging late in spring—making it an excellent companion for ephemeral spring bulbs —it unfurls elegant, pleated foliage and soon after produces orchid like flowers in rich purples and mauves. Despite its exotic look, it’s remarkably easy to grow in USDA zone 6+, in ordinary garden soil, thriving in part shade with steady summer moisture. In our garden, it handles the rainy winters beautifully as long as the soil drains well, since the dormant rhizomes resent sitting in cold, stagnant water. In a woodland edge, shaded border, or container with sharp drainage, it settles in as a reliable, long lived perennial that quietly expands into handsome clumps.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Seed germination is straightforward and beginner friendly. Sow at any time, cover lightly, and keep at ordinary room temperature; seedlings usually appear in 2–4 weeks. Young plants grow steadily through their first season and second year, with most flowering in their third.

Photo: rhs.org.uk

#woodlandplants #SeedGermination #GrowFromSeed #HardyGingers #PlantPropagation #SeedStarting #ShadeGarden #UnusualPerennials #SeedsforBeginners

Skill Level: Beginner

Berkheya purpurea is a striking, thistle like perennial from the high grasslands of South Africa, where cool nights, bright sun, and lean soils shape its tough, architectural character. Its bold, silver green, spiny foliage forms a handsome basal rosette, and in summer it sends up 36” tall stems topped with luminous lavender purple daisies that hover above the plant like an armoured orb – soft but with attitude. Despite its exotic origins, it’s surprisingly easy to grow in the Pacific Northwest, provided it has excellent drainage. The rosettes are hardy and resilient, but they dislike sitting in cold, stagnant winter moisture; in a raised bed, gravelly border, or sunny slope, they overwinter beautifully and return with renewed vigor each spring.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Seed germination is straightforward and beginner friendly. Sow at any time, cover lightly, and keep at ordinary room temperature; seedlings usually appear in 10–20 days. Young plants grow steadily through their first season, forming sturdy rosettes, and most will flower in their second year from seed, occasionally the first if started early and grown on well.

Photo: powo.science.kew.org

#droughtresistant#SeedGermination#GrowFromSeed#SouthAfricanPlants#PlantPropagation#SeedStarting#SunLovers#UnusualPerennials; #SeedsforBeginners

Skill Level: Intermediate

Saruma henryi is a refined woodland perennial from central China, perfectly suited to rich, humusy soil, consistent moisture, and dappled shade. Its velvety, heart shaped leaves form a tidy clump, and in spring it produces soft yellow, three petalled flowers that float just above the foliage. Mature plants reach 18–24″ tall and are hardy in zone 8, thriving wherever woodland conditions are steady and cool.

Seed handling is often described as difficult, but that’s only because the seeds are recalcitrant—they cannot dry out without losing viability. When sourced through Spirithouse Garden Seeds, this challenge disappears: we moist-pack all Saruma seed, ensuring it arrives fresh, hydrated, and ready to sow.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Seeds prefer fluctuating temperatures, beginning with a period of warmth followed by a long, natural cooling phase. We sow ours immediately when seed ripens in July, allowing summer warmth to initiate the first stage. Then we move them to an unheated greenhouse in early winter before the cold rains begin. Germination occurs in the coldest part of winter—typically February, when temperatures drop to around 4°C. Once seedlings emerge, growth is steady, and plants usually reach flowering size in 2 years. The texture and form of Saruma is a welcomed addition to an interesting woodland garden.

#SeedGermination #WoodlandPerennials #RecalcitrantSeed #MoistPacked #GrowFromSeed #ShadeGarden #UnusualPerennials #SpirithouseGardenSeeds

Skill Level: Beginner (germination)

Myosotidium hortensia—the famed Chatham Island Forget‑me‑not—is sometimes described as a botanical “holy grail”.   Native to the remote Chatham Islands of New Zealand, it forms bold rosettes of glossy, upright, semi-cupped shaped and pleated leaves that serve as a perfect foil for clusters of cobalt‑blue flowers with white margins late spring. Mature plants reach 18–24 in., creating a low, architectural mound that looks almost sculpted.

In the garden, Myosotidium prefers part shade, cool maritime air, and moist, humus‑rich, well‑drained soils. It dislikes heat and drying winds but thrives in mild coastal or woodland settings. Hardiness is roughly USDA Zone 8, with protection from hard freezes.

Our Seed Germination Experience

A 2012 study on desiccation tolerance demonstrated that the seeds are fully desiccation‑tolerant—they can be dried to standard storage moisture without losing viability—and that the primary barrier to germination is the thick, oxygen‑restricting seed coat, not temperature.  If you are interested:  https://www.agronomysociety.org.nz/uploads/94803/files/SP12_12._CI_Forget-me-not_desiccation_tolerance.pdf

We received the seed still enclosed in its pods.  Pods were soaked for 24 hours to soften the coat before being removed, and the seeds thoroughly cleaned before sowing. We found seeds were prone to rot, but those that did germinate, they did so at room temperature within 30 days of sowing; no cold stratification required despite what some sites suggest. This aligns with the study’s finding that temperature cycling does not break dormancy and that germination proceeds once the seed coat allows oxygen entry.

Once germinated, they were placed under grow lights at cooler temperatures to grow on.  With good care, we expect our seedlings to reach flowering size in 3–4 years, matching reports from growers in mild maritime climates.

Photo: artandscienceofhorticulture.weebly.com  

#MyosotidiumHortensia #ChathamIslandForgetMeNot #BlueFlowers #RarePlantsFromSeed #CoastalPlants #WoodlandPlants #StartingSeedsSeries

Skill Level: Beginner – Intermediate (small seed technique)

Codonopsis convolvulacea ssp. Grey wilsonii is an unusual vine from the high, open slopes of Yunnan and Sichuan where it weaves through shrubs and over rock. In cultivation it grows as a slender, twining climber to 3-10ft (depending on source) in bright shade. What sets this subspecies apart is its extraordinary bloom: relatively large, flared, purple blue flowers with a dark, dramatic ring and occasional white forms, far showier and less bell shaped than the typical Codonopsis silhouette. Hardy in zone 7, it brings a mid-summer presence that tends to start a conversation.

Our Seed Germination Experience

Codonopsis seed is fine so shouldn’t be stored for longer than 12 months without compromising viability. We surface sow and provide light, treating it like other dust‑fine alpines: a firmed medium, gentle misting, and steady moisture. Germination usually appears in under 3 weeks at room temperature, with no stratification or special handling required.

From seed to first bloom typically takes 2–3 years, depending on light and soil warmth, but once established it becomes a reliable, returning climber with some of the most remarkable flowers in the genus.  As with most codonopsis, it prefers not to live in a pot.

Photo from efloraofindia.com

#SeedGermination#EasyFromSeed#RareClimbers#Codonopsis#UnusualVines#CollectorPlants#GrowFromSeed