Geranium-Hardy Geranium, Cranesbill

Propagating Geranium or Cranesbill, which is a totally different genus then the annual Geranium used in pots for Memorial Day, is done in the spring by digging up the rhizomes that form off of the parent plant. It prefers full to partial sun in either a clay or sandy soil, some acid, and will bloom for upwards of four weeks, deadheading and extra water will induce additional blooms so it could flower from May until August and its colors range from white, pink, blue, purple, maroon and is considered a groundcover since it only reaches a height of 6-12" and its foliage is scented and turns red in the fall and is deciduous. Deer could nibble.

Euphorbia-Cushion Spurge, Snow on the Mountain

Propagating Euphorbia or Snow on the Mountain should be done after 3 years in the ground, in the spring, and wear gloves because its genus is Poinsettia, its yellow blooms are the bracts, the milky sap could cause problems if your skin is sensitive, when digging up the plant however it does not take to transplanting too well so this is one plant that you should allow to self seed or try cuttings if you had luck with Poinsettias. It prefers a well draining sandy soil in full to mostly sun, it is drought tolerant, in the fall the leaves turn red, the plant reaches a height of 24" besides being deer resistant and deciduous. It seems to spread quicker if moist.

Filipendula-Dropwort, Meadowsweet, Queen of the Meadow or Prairie

For propagating Filipendula or Queen of the Meadow you will need a sharp knife to cut the roots, plentiful, after you dig up the plant either in the spring or fall or allow the seed heads to self sow. Its genus is spirea. Queen of the Meadow likes boggy/clay conditions and can reach a height of 5'- 7' in either sun or mostly shade in a slightly acidic soil. Most bog areas are acidic. It blooms in July-August and colors can be white or pink. The plant attracts butterflies but not deer and is deciduous.

Eryngium-Flat Sea Holly

Propagating Eryngium or Flat Sea Holly is difficult because of its long tap root so if you want to give a go do it in the spring and make certain your shovel is down as deep as possible or you can take root cuttings. Eryngium is a semi-evergreen and it prefers well draining sandy soil but will also handle clay and will take drought. It blooms are blue to pink and flower from July until after frost and the blooms persist into winter so they can be used in dry flower arrangements, so prune the plant before new growth starts in the spring. The plant height averages 24"-36" and it attracts butterflies, but not deer.

Festuca-Blue Fescue

Propagating Festuca or Blue Fescue can be done at anytime of the year by dividing the plant, spring being preferable since its roots need to be watered until established and transplants should be replanted at ground level, not above nor below, however if you allow the seed heads to mature there will be plenty of babies growing in the garden so this is one plant that should be deadheaded. It is evergreen and deer resistant. Its flowers are either violet or blue green and the plants height can be from 8"-12' and blooms in June through July however it prefers a cooler climate since its blue shows true when planted in the sun and will do better in a sandy versus a clay soil.

Echinops-Globe Thistle

Propagating Echinops or Globe Thistle can be done either in the spring or fall, besides being an excellent self seeder, deadhead if you don’t want babies sprouting up, as with most thistles, and it is one plant you’ll need to wear protection when digging up and separating the roots. The plant should be located towards the back of the garden bed since heights can reach 3'-6' and because the bottom leaves deteriorate throughout the season. Globe Thistle requires an acidic sandy soil in full sun, drought resistant, and no deer want to nibble on their leaves. It blooms through most of the summer in either white or blue and the plant attracts butterflies and the spikes are great for flower arrangements, fresh or dry. It is semi-evergreen.

Gerbera hybrida-Gerber daisy, African daisy

Gerbera hybrida or Gerber daisy can be easily propagated by dividing the roots, after digging up the plant in the spring, carefully making sure there are roots attached to the stem that is removed. Depending on the zone and the harsh winters it is listed as a perennial in Zone 8 and up, however in Charlotte, NC, I was surprised when one spring new growth appeared, but that was the only time. Normally they are planted in pots and taken in the house for overwintering put in a sunny windowsill. They prefer only 6 hours of morning sunlight, they need to be protected from the afternoon sun or will burn. Often labeled as G. jamesonii today’s popular cultivar is actually a cross between jamesonii and G. viridfolia, and actually named after a German naturalist Traugott Gerber and is in the sunflower family. Gerber daisy prefers a sandy well draining soil and are prone to root rot if overwatered however misting the plants regularly will keep away the red spider mites. It seems that attractive plants have down sides. They flower all summer long in pastel colors, of orange, pink, yellow, red, white and are deer resistant. Fertilize regularly with p-k to insure bloom.

Erodium-Heronsbill

Propagating Erodium or Heronsbill can be done in the spring or fall because it is a low creeping groundcover so just dig up the rhizomes that look the healthiest and transplant. The plant will tolerate a hot and dry site, either full sun or half shade and a normal well draining soil and will do well in rock gardens. It is in the geranium family but only grows to 3" in height and is a tender perennial so any zone that dips below zero for any amount of time forget about it. It is evergreen so if it disappears over the winter it may not come back in the spring. Blossoms of pink or yellow that flower from June through August. It may not be deer resistant.

Basella rubra-Malabar Spinach

Propagating Basella rubra or Malabar Spinach is done by seed, eight weeks before the last frost or by cuttings in late summer overwintering in a greenhouse, will produce a crop in 70 days. This plant, whose leaves are similar to spinach even with the red stems, flourishes in the summer when regular spinach tapers off and tastes similar to spinach and can grow a foot in a week in the tropics. It flowers in early summer, pink/white that turn into purple berries, and the juice is used as food coloring. The vine can grow up to 10 feet and needs an acidic moist well draining soil preferably in full sun. A perennial in Zone 7-10. Dry the purple berries in the fall and plant in the spring.

Eragrostis spectabalis-Purple Love Grass

Propagating Eragrostis or Purple Love Grass either by dividing the clumps or transplanting the rhizomes that spread from the parent. Purple Love Grass can become invasive because it is drought resistant and is native to Arkansas. It reaches a height of 1' and its pink/purple blooms cover the plant in July to August and its green leaves turn red in the fall so prune back in the spring before new growth is spurred on. It does well in well drained sandy soils in full sun and is deer resistant. Ornamental grasses are restricted from OR & ID and butterflies are attracted to the plant.

Eragrostis spectabalis-Purple Love Grass

Propagating Eragrostis or Purple Love Grass either by dividing the clumps or transplanting the rhizomes that spread from the parent. Purple Love Grass can become invasive because it is drought resistant and is native to Arkansas. It reaches a height of 1' and its pink/purple blooms cover the plant in July to August and its green leaves turn red in the fall so prune back in the spring before new growth is spurred on. It does well in well drained sandy soils in full sun and is deer resistant. Ornamental grasses are restricted from OR & ID and butterflies are attracted to the plant.

Chrysogonum(Kriss-og-on-um)-Golden Star

Propagating Chrysogonum or Golden Star is simple because it is mat forming perennial so digging up the runners/rhizomes should be done in the spring and depending on the zone it is either an evergreen or semi-evergreen which is great since it will tolerate light foot traffic, grows to a height of 8" and will handle either full sun to mostly shade so it could be used as a filler on pathways. Its yellow blooms flower from late spring to late summer and is deer resistant and will thrive in average well draining soil.

Chrysogonum(Kriss-og-on-um)-Golden Star

Propagating Chrysogonum or Golden Star is simple because it is mat forming perennial so digging up the runners/rhizomes should be done in the spring and depending on the zone it is either an evergreen or semi-evergreen which is great since it will tolerate light foot traffic, grows to a height of 8" and will handle either full sun to mostly shade so it could be used as a filler on pathways. Its yellow blooms flower from late spring to late summer and is deer resistant and will thrive in average well draining soil.

Cimicifuga racemosa-Black Snakeroot, Bugbane

Propagating Cimicifuga racemosa or Black Snakeroot or Bugbane can be done in the spring by digging up the healthy rhizomes sent out by the parent plant and you will notice the black roots hence the name. The plants need staking in windy locations because they could reach 8' in height and will thrive in a deep moist clay soil ranging from full sun to mostly shade with white blooms in June through August. It is semi evergreen and deer resistant, prune back in spring because seed heads are attractive through the winter.

Oenothera-Mexican Evening Primrose

Propagating Oenothera or Mexican Evening Primrose can be divided in the spring or by replanting the rhizomes that spread out from the parent, like strawberries. Mexican Evening Primrose will thrive in full sun in a well drained poor soil, clay or sand, it can withstand drought and is best used on slopes because it can be an aggressive grower, I’ve read that Roundup will not kill it, and reaches a height of 6"-12". It blooms from June through October and is deciduous and the blooms are white or pink that have a sweet fragrance and are deer resistant. I’ve read that the plant in mid summer will look like it is dying so cut back the plant to induce new growth.

Erigeron-Fleabane, Dainty Daisy

Propagating Erigeron or Fleabane is done in the spring by digging up the clump and dividing the roots carefully. There is not a consensus on soil conditions but it does well in full sun in a pH range of 7.0, but I’ve read it likes it wet in a well draining soil, then I read it does well in drought, but don’t allow it to dry out. I also read it will take shade, but don’t believe it. The blooms reminds one of asters, it’s in the family, and blooms mid June to mid July in a range of colors of pink, purple, white and orange and height could vary depending on variety up to 2'. In warmer climates its evergreen in colder zones it is deciduous. Some say it attracts butterflies and honeybees and others say not, but deer don’t like fleabane. In my research this is one perennial that has had contradictory
opinions, but considering it is an aster I’ll follow aster’s conditions. If left unattended it could become invasive.

Hedychium coronarium-White Ginger

Hedychium coronarium or White Ginger can be propagated in the spring by digging up the parent plant and dividing the roots however be aware that it only grows along the S.E. coast, Florida & California where it is evergreen, Zone 8a-11. It has a fragrant bloom with white flowers and can bloom from late spring to early fall. It reaches a height of 3'-6' and prefers light shade in a well drained soil.

Belamcanda-Blackberry Lily, Leopard Flower

Propagating Belamcanda or Blackberry Lily is done in the spring and make certain the rhizomes are planted an inch deep when transplanting. Their leaves resemble Iris, sword like because it is in the Iris family. The flowers are sometimes splotched like lilies, generally red, and the predominate colors are orange or yellow and reach a height of 2'-4', in rich moist soils they grow taller. Blackberry Lilies bloom in the summer, towards the end, and prefer partial shade to full sun. Belamcanda is deciduous.

Chasmanthium latifolium-Northern Sea Oats

Propagating Chasmanthium or Northern Sea Oaks is done in the spring after cutting back the plant 6"-10" above the soil level before new growth starts then dig up the rhizomes that spread out from the parent plant. The dried plant has a special winter interest especially after a light snowfall or for indoor arrangements. It blooms June through October and the flower is tan in color and grows upwards of 3' in height. Northern Sea Oats naturally grows along stream beds so it prefers a moist soil in full sun but once established it will survive drought type weather in partial shade and is self seeding so it could become invasive if left unchecked. Deer resistant.

Campanula-Bellflower

Propagating Campanula or Bellflower should be done every three years because the parent plant becomes woody and less productive so dig up the clump and separate the young from the old in the spring. Bellflower grows to a height of 1-3' depending on the variety and does better in a cool summer climate and blooms from June through September with colors ranging from blue, purple, pink and white and does well in full sun in well draining soil. It is deciduous.

Anchusa-Italian Bugloss

Propagating Anchusa or Bugloss can be done in the spring however be careful, their roots are tender and will break if you dig too closely to the plant and make certain you dig a deep hole and amend it when transplanting and slowly pack the soil around the roots and water well. Once established Bugloss will take drought conditions and will take full sun but in hotter climates afternoon shade is welcomed. Since bugloss grows to a height of 3'-5' it needs to be planted in a protected area away from wind otherwise stake the plant. Its blossom’s are blue and it will flower all summer if deadheaded. Honeybees enjoy the nectar and deer do not tolerate the plant and it is deciduous.

Hyacinthoides nonscripta-Bluebell

Propagating Hyacinthoides nonscripta or Bluebell involves digging up the bulbs in summer after the leaves go dormant, stake the area so you know where they are planted, hopefully deep, it is deciduous, and separating the bulbets from the parent and replant every 3-4 years, with bone meal. Bluebell prefers semi-shade but will do well in full sun in a slightly acidic soil, rich in leaf mold but will also do well in heavy clay. Flowers from early to late spring and the color ranges from blue to blue/purple depending on the source, it reaches a height of 12-15" and is deer resistant.

Brunnera-Bugloss

Propagating Brunnera or Bugloss can be done either in the spring or fall by digging up the plant and dividing the roots. What is interesting about Bugloss are the leaves, heart shaped and veined generally white/silver and green with blue forget-me-not type flowers that bloom in the spring and the varieties grow upwards of 12" in height and do well in full to partial shade in a moist fertile, fertilize in spring and summer, humus rich well draining soil. Bugloss is deciduous and generally deer resistant.