Here it is, still November, I haven't entirely put the garden to bed for winter, and larkspur seedlings are appearing!



I love these common free-seeding blooms—they always bring a smile to my face and the bees love them too! They usually start blooming early May and last until the summer heat knocks them back. Every plant brings new color variations.

I saw that happening here in Zone 5 when I cleaned up everything a few weeks ago. Stuff I had cut in planters even and put in the garage until I could dump the dirt had new spring growth sprouting up everywhere. Really strange season, but I'm not complaining, I certainly enjoyed the longer summer.

What has become of the larkspur seedlings? I have bought & scattered larkspur seeds several times but never got any plants. They were an easy staple for me in OH.

I have marigold & zinnia sprouts, volunteers from seeds that the plants dropped last year.

Tiffany ~ I think they require a cold period to germinate.
You might try chilling the seeds first.

Thank you very much, Evelyn. : )

Tiffany, I'll save larkspur seeds for you if you want to try again for next year. Are you sowing in fall or spring? Usually I have more too, but I think I'll have enough to enjoy soon.

A large larkspur with a a red lettuce volunteer in a fallow bed


Lots of smaller seedlings


The poppies have gone bonkers! They are coming up all over, especially in awkward places. Possibly I didn't deadhead the wild variety last year, plus I also threw out some seed that might have blown around. Definitely should have thinned them before now - these are in the main pathway.

In the spring when they put the seed racks out. It might be better to do it in the fall here. They seem to sprout well in your yard! They look very stout and sturdy. Nice!

The lettuce looks really good. I love red lettuce! The poppies look amazing too. Maybe the path wants to go around them?

This is what I have sprouting in abundance.
False Dragonhead (Physostegia digitalis)

Duplicate removed

I think Evelyn is correct about the larkspur needing winter chill, that's why I asked. It's a spring staple here. Love your False dragonhead - I'm entirely unfamiliar with it!

That lettuce is just called 'Red romaine' and is insanely fertile. I let just a couple plants go to seed last year and have dozens of seedlings now. Aside from its beauty, it is also extremely heat resistant and lasts well into the summer before bolting if grown in afternoon shade. Sprouts during hard freezes, too. What a champ!

What most of the poppies will probably be


Larkspur grows in a range of white-pink-blue-violet, and I think they cross pollinate a lot

Ooooh, all of those are so pretty!!!

purpleinopp said: Ooooh, all of those are so pretty!!!

Those poppies are outstanding. Perfect foil for the larkspur. I have a variety of Nigella seeds to put in. I'm thinking this week. They're also an easy seeder. Come up quickly and the seedlings that emerge in the fall stay green all winter. I have 3 robust patches growing throughout the beds. Such a pretty blue. The seed heads are nice round, striped balls with sprouts at the top. If anyone wants any I'll share.

I loved my self-seeding nigella in California. Haven't been able to get them going here. They are terrific cut flowers and fun in their seedpod stage.

Zoe ~ What part of California did you live in?

Evelyn, Sonoma County. Both Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, but the longest-running and most extensive garden was in Sebastopol.

Zoe ~ Those are nice areas. Why did you move away?

A number of life changes too complex to go into, ending with my daughter moving to Albuquerque and saying she would love to have me nearby. Couldn't resist that!

You are lucky to have your daughter nearby. That is worth a lot.

For sure! Mine lives in Boulder.

Evelyn, I hesitated to write that, knowing of your heartbreaking loss. I think of you frequently and count my blessings.