Pass-Along Plants - a Southern Tradition

I'm sure pass-along plants are a tradition in other parts of the country besides the South. Today, some of the plants of our southern heritage can only be obtained at specialized nurseries or from friends and neighbors.

Ginger Lily (Hedychium 'Anne S. Bishop')
Uploaded by MSBarbara

Species Iris (Iris virginica)
Uploaded by piksihk

Crinum Lily (Crinum 'Stars and Stripes')
Uploaded by Dutchlady1

Pass-along plants are usually easy to propagate and are very well adapted to the local environment. Some favorite pass-alongs in my region of the country include unusual daffodils, crinum lilies, peonies, spider lilies, lycoris, cannas, hibiscus, rare daylilies, Southern irises, hedychiums, Southern azaleas, camellias, and gardenias.

According to Southern tradition you should never thank anyone for a pass-along plant or it will not live and grow for you.

Many of us derive great pleasure from sharing our passion for gardening as well as sharing our plants. I've yet to meet a true gardening lover here who isn't happy to pass along a plant, a start, a cutting, or some seeds. A few of the treasured pass-along plants in my southern yard ...