Self-Seeding Perennials

Few things in this world excite me as much as seeing one of my plants producing seedlings in the garden. Finding unexpected "babies" is a wonderful surprise that always makes me smile. And oftentimes these natural "accidents" create flower combinations that I could never have dreamed. Nature is the ultimate artist.

I desire plants that want to live! So what do I mean by "want to live"? I guess what I'm trying to convey is that I'm not keen on "pampering" my plants. Beyond the basic watering and occasional fertilizing, I don't want to climb an uphill battle and fight nature. Yet, on the other hand, I don't like plants that take over! Obviously, there is a happy middle ground- plants that do just enough reproducing without becoming "weedy".

Through years of observation and trial and error, I've discovered plants I simply won't tolerate in my garden. I'm not talking about our typical weeds, no, I'm referring to plants you can go out and buy at garden centers. Perennials such as Helleborus, Pinellia, spiderwort, and Mexican petunia are just too aggressive in my opinion. I also have an aversion to plants that are especially hard to dig up. What can I say... I'm a plant snob.

But in my yard, there are a whole suite of "self-seeding" annuals and perennials that I happily welcome. If they become too numerous, I just pot them up and give them away.

(You should note that while many of these species will also naturally reproduce in your landscape, because of variations in microclimate and soils, you might have less success with these particular plants. It just depends on your specific conditions which plants multiply.)

When I started my current garden around 20 years ago, I never imagined I'd be pulling up Indian Pinks (Spigelia marilandica). This eastern native grows in a wide range of conditions from full sun to dry shade. For me, it begins blooming in late April and continues until sometime in June, with sporadic blooming until frost. It isn't a particularly spectacular flower, like say a dahlia or a peony. It is, what I would consider, an accent plant best suited for groupings or mixed in with other subtle perennials. While spindly and sparse flowing in the wild, in our landscapes, with ample sun and water, Spigelia develops into robust clumps with numerous bright red fluted flowers. This flower is perfectly engineered to attract hummingbirds. Though I rarely catch them in the act, it is always exciting to watch them dart in and out of these sweet little red flutes.

Another surprise that I didn't foresee was how prolific bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) would be in my garden! This native poppy relative produces large seeds with fatty attachments called elaiosomes that prove irresistible to wasps and ants. Although I find bloodroot popping up in some unexpected places, it really proliferates in my semi-shaded woodland garden under big pecans.

Another reason for this plant's success lies in the fact that the whole plant exudes an irritating sap that deters most herbivores. Nothing really ever bothers it! Because of this, I like to encourage bloodroot near my sensitive Trilliums. It seems to at least deter the squirrels, though not the armadillos! Bloodroot is ornamental both in bud, flower and in its iconic palmate-shaped leaves which persist throughout the growing season.

The previous plants are both native to Georgia, so it isn't such a stretch that they would naturalize so freely. My next selection originated in South America but is quite at home here in the humid southeast. Sisyrinchium palmifolium (or Yellow-Eyed Grass) is an iris-looking perennial that grows to about 2 ft. tall. I've always been particularly smitten with yellow flowers- especially in the spring when yellows are far less common in the landscape. I also like it because it reseeds and holds its bright golden color for a good stretch. This year I'm beginning to propagate it by collecting its shiny black seeds and sowing them in quart pots. We'll see... Years ago, I gave a clump to Sheldon Jones at the State Botanical Garden of Ga, and it has spread nicely in a rock garden adjacent to the big conservatory. If given adequate sun, this plant should thrive with no special attention.

This was just a sample of the many reseeding plants in my garden. Some notable others are Louisiana irises, species daylilies, rue anemone, Canada ginger, Anomathica laxa, Ipheion, Leucojum, Hibiscus coccineus, Penstemon, Aquilegia canadensis, and Phlox divaricata. Take note of the self-seeding perennials in your landscape and please let me know about them.