I purchased a couple of plants a while back and this is their 3rd year in my garden. They're still on the small side but they are crammed in with some other shade-lovers. They do bloom and I was wondering if collecting seed is possible. I do like the red/yellow in the shade and would like to have more. Any suggestions for propagation are appreciated.

A while back I hand pollinated mine and was rewarded with seeds .. I didn't have any luck with germinating them and didn't try this year because I ended up moving. Definitely going to be trying again come fall. Here is a link about the seeds.

The thread "Spigelia marilandica" in Seeds forum

Thanks for posting that link! Mine are just starting to bloom so will get paintbrush ready for the hand-pollination. And will track down organza bags as well. Was nice to see on the seed thread that the plants can be divided. Will do some searching on best germination method.

You're welcome! Let us know what you find about germination.

I did some checking on Spigelia germination. Couldn't find anything in Tom Clothier's database. The only thing Deno has is that 1/3 germinated when placed outdoors in Feb. Noted that the sample was small. "Germination is hypogeal."

Xeramtheum said:A while back I hand pollinated mine and was rewarded with seeds .. I didn't have any luck with germinating them and didn't try this year because I ended up moving. Definitely going to be trying again come fall. Here is a link about the seeds.

The thread "Spigelia marilandica" in Seeds forum

I have one seedling coming up from the seeds you sent me.

Horntoad - what was your germination method?

I just put them in a 50/50 mix of peat/perlite and set it outside, keeping it moist. Unfortunately I did not keep a germination record, but I estimate it took about a month. I don't remember how many seeds there were but only one germinated.

Did the seeds need to go through any stratification period?

Well done! Definitely going to try again when it gets a bit cooler .. right now it's 98 degrees outside!

Shadegardener said:Did the seeds need to go through any stratification period?

I did not stratify mine, but that might improve the germination rate.

Deno doesn't say to stratify but he did set them out in Feb. And he was based in PA. Hmm..

I'm trying to root some cuttings of these right now! Perfect timing. One cutting was a stem I ripped out of the ground that had a few roots on it. I have it in the house and it's doing great. I will gradually get it used to being outside. I'm also trying to root one in the cloning machine! I'll post in here if these take. It would be good for future reference for others.

That is great timing, Clint! I want to expand my plantings of Spigelia and that means I need to make room for them. I'm not sure if my small clumps are quite large enough to divide so thought I might also go the seed route. Will have to seriously minimize some almost-20 yo Hosta 'Brigham Blue' to make space. I am curious how you do since I've read that cuttings are a little difficult.

It does seem to be an easy plant to make wilt. However, I've been misting them some. That helps. The tag that came with mine says they reseed in the garden too.

I pretty much use leaf mulch everywhere so self-sowing probably won't happen. Since Spigelia is more of a shade dweller, do you think it's like cooler earth to grow in? This time of year, I have to move cuttings out of the sun because they just wilt regardless of moisture.

I recently read an article about these plants. They said they can adjust to part sun locations. You just need to water them regularly the first year or two. I would put them in a spot that gets morning sun only. That would be perfect for them.

Right now mine get minimal dappled sun, squeezed in between a ferns and large hostas. I don't have morning sun really as I have old growth oaks on the east side of my yard. I'm sure my gardens would be much happier with some morning sun but it isn't even feasible for me.

They should be great there any how. They are native plants too which is a plus. I think they are beautiful!

I'm happy they survived and bloomed!