Meehania urticifolia “Silver Sprinter”-Japanese Dead Nettle or Wood Mint

Propagating Japanese Dead Nettle is simple since it is a perennial groundcover so in the spring anywhere the plant has rooted itself dig and replant preferably in a moist and well drained soil. It is deciduous and is a native of Japan but is hardy in Zone 5-9. It will reach a height of 4-6,” it’s lavender flower attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and will bloom from early spring to late fall and if the plant gets leggy in the summer just trim back otherwise wait until spring. It has variegated leaves of grey, green with white trim.

Leonotis leonurus-Orange lion’s-tail

Propagating orange lion’s-tail can be done either by cutting in late winter of by snipping off the plantlets at the base of the plant. Only a evergreen perennial in Zone 9-10, a native of South Africa. The plant will reach a height of 4' and it has medicinal as well as sedative properties and some will even smoke the leaves because it will exhibit the same effect of cannabis. It is used widely in South Africa for many medicinal needs that includes flu, headache and fever. Its blooms are fragrant as well as orange, the plant is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and its nectar attracts hummingbirds.

Mimulus-Monkey Flower

There are 150 different varieties of Mimulus and to propagate them dig up the crown in the spring and divide. Colors range from yellow, pink, red and orange and bloom through the summer into the fall as long as you remove the faded flowers. As perennials they are short lived and prefer moist areas in full sun or partial shade. Native to the west coast of the USA. In early days the plants when cooked acted as a salt substitute. They reach a height of 4-6,”are are deer and rabbit resistant and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lantana camara-Lantana

Propagating lantana can be as simple as snipping the stolen around where the root may take hold or by a cutting. It is a perennial from Zones 7/8-11 and an annual everywhere else. It is a cousin to verbena, is poisonous/toxic to animals however butterflies, hummingbirds and bees are attracted to its nectar. It can reach a height of 48", is drought and also deer resistant. It blooms throughout the summer up until frost and colors range from yellow, orange, red, pink and purple. It is also fragrant, a cousin to verbena and a native to Mexico.

Lewisia tweedyi-Tweedy’s Lewisia

Propagating what I believe is one of the most colorful perennials, born and bred in the USA, Pacific Northwest, and a cinch to propagate is lewisia. When I say to propagate you remove the off-sets or pups, what brings to mind are strawberries. You remove the umbilical cord that runs from the parent to the “baby” and plant. Varieties range in color from white, pink, coral and yellow and prefer a soil drainage of crushed gravel because the crown will rot if too damp. Also like most colorful perennials lewisia attracts snails, slugs, aphids and mealy bugs. It also prefers morning sun, average moisture, and planting beneath a well drained dripline is optimum. It will bloom from mid spring until early summer, reaches a height of 6-12", is evergreen and will grow in Zones 5-8. Be aware deer love to snack on it!

Typha minima-Miniature Cat-Tail

Propagating Typha is done in the spring by dividing the crown and the flower is just a miniature of the standard Cat-Tail, with only a height of up to 27". As many know this plant loves moisture and full sun and when the seed head bursts plenty of seed flies around and it is great as cut flower especially during the holidays and grows well in Zones 4-9.

Camelina sativa-Camelina

This is an annual, basically a weed, that is used for biodiesel in planes/jets. It is primarily grown in Northern States because it cannot withstand the heat of summer. In Florida and Georgia they plant it as a winter crop, in by December out by April. It will flower in 85-100 days and it’s the seed heads that are used to make fuel. One acre makes about a gallon. Honeywell got FAA permission to fly to the Paris air show on camelina. They farm it in Montana and have a plant that makes into fuel in Houston. The plant itself has been around since the Bronze age and is native to Northern Europe. It is also used as feedstock. Ethanol as you know is from corn which feeds the world and that’s why some like Camelina. A 50 pound bag of seed can cover 5 acres and the cost to covert runs about $60, however because the seed has about 40% oil, and rich in OMEGA-3 fatty acid, it needs to be stored at 8% humidity or lower or else it becomes combustible and it’s the carbon the plant absorbs that makes it so valuable. It takes in more then is burned in a flight. It grows up to 3' and is in the mustard family.

Equisetum hyemale-Rough Horsetail

Propagating Rough Horsetail is simple, however be aware it is invasive if it is not planted in a container, because it grows by underground rhizomes and since it is a moisture loving plant it is not easy to locate rhizomes under water. This plant could date from the Paleozoic Era and existed for millions of years because extinct fossils with stems the size of tree trunks have been discovered. It is native almost world wide from North and Central America, Asia and Europe. It can grow up to 5' is evergreen in some locales and its hardiness Zone is 3-11. It’s stems reminds one of Bamboo.

Goniolimon tataricum-German statice

Propagating German statice is quite simple however be careful because it has a tendency to irritate the skin and can be poisonous, but dig up the parent plant and then divide the root ball. It is one perennial that is hardy throughout the USA, Zones 2-9. It can reach a height of 12-18" and can be used in many different ways along a rock wall or as a centerpiece. The blooms can vary depending on the variety, rose, white or silver-grey and some may know it is great in dry flower arrangements or as a wreath. Once established it is drought tolerant however make certain it doesn’t get too much water in the winter. It blooms from mid to late summer, its blooms attract butterflies, is deer resistant, and is native from Europe to Russia.

Eupatorium cannabinum “Florio Pleno”-Double Hemp Agrimony

Propagating Double Hemp Agrimony is as easy as digging up the main plant in spring, before new growth, and dividing the clump into how many transplants you desire. It is a native to Europe where it is used as a commercial cut flower. Under optimum growing conditions the plant can reach 8'. The plant can be invasive in a small garden which prefers an evenly moist soil in either full sun or partial shade. Its flowers are fragrant, at least the doubles are, and will attract butterflies but not deer nor rabbits. Its stems are purple and blooms are a purplish pink that will flower mid summer until early fall. During the founding of the USA, colonists used the plant to treat malaria. Hardy in Zones 3-9.

Peucedanum ostruthium “Daphnis”-Variegated Peuce Materwort

I am not familiar with this plant and because of that I could not find anything on propagating other then by seed, stratification of 4 weeks, however because the plant forms a clump you might try dividing it in the spring, but since it is a native of France, it will not be easy. The plant itself is poisonous and will cause skin irritation so wearing gloves and long sleeve shirts when gardening around it is necessary. It is also very fragrant and its flower resembles Queen-Anne’s Lace that bloom through early to mid summer and will reach a height of 24". The plant prefers a partial or full shade exposure with a moist well draining soil and is hardy in Zones 5-9.

Catananche caerulea-Cupid’s Dart

Propagating Cupid’s Dart is simple it is a good self-seeder or it can be accomplished dividing the root ball in the spring and will give you more blooms throughout the summer by deadheading. It’s grass like foliage would be great contrast amongst grey foliage plants and is native to the Mediterranean but can be grown in Zones 4-9. It will reach 18-27" in height, is drought tolerant, its dandelion shaped flowers are blue in color, prefers full sun, and it a great cut flower. The plant symbolizes love.

Asclepias curassavica-Bloodflower

Propagating Bloodflower unfortunately is only done by seed, cutting or possibly layering since it is a native of South America and is only hardy in Zones 8-10. Since it is a great food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, often denuding the plant in the spring, many people use containers to grow the plant from seed in the spring in colder zones. The plant does attract aphids and gets mildew but attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and moths outweigh the risks for many. It does grow up to 36," blooms year round in its zone and is also evergreen. The flowers are orange-red and pinching back the top produces a bushy plant, however its sap can be poisonous and is not drought tolerant.

Melittis melissophyllum “Royal Velvet Distinction-“ Bastard Balm

This particular Bastard Balm was patented in the Netherlands so propagating it for sale is illegal, however for private use because it is a self-sower there is a chance your gardens will flourish however dividing the root ball in spring will give you another opportunity to increase the number of plants. It belongs to the mint family so its leaves have the fragrance of honey. It is native to Western Europe so its USA Zones are 5-9. This particular variety’s blooms are orchid like, white with a red lip, that will bloom from late spring until early summer and deadheading will not make it re-bloom. Its flowers are attracted to butterflies, bees and birds, the plant will reach a height of 12-14,”will do well in either full sun or partial shade and needs a well draining moist soil.

Dorycnium hirsutum-Hairy Canary Clover

Propagating Hairy Canary cannot be done by division but plants can be duplicated by seed, cuttings or layering. It is an evergreen woody plant native to the Mediterranean which means hardy in Zones 7-9 in the USA. It will spread up to 36" so it can be used as a groundcover or hanging over a wall. It reaches a height of up to 24", it is drought resistant, and needs full sun. Its flowers are a whitish pink and will bloom in mid-late summer followed by brown seed pods. Its leaves are felty and tinged silver-grey.

Houstonia serpyllifolia-Thyme-leafed Mountain Bluet

Propagating Houstonia is simple since it grows outward by underground stolons so in the spring trace the plant to the outer edges and where you see a new plant cut the stolon and transplant. Now it may seem contradictory but the plant prefers a moist sandy and slightly acidic soil and needs at least a few hours of sun to bloom so make certain the soil is amended with compost or manure when transplanting. It is evergreen and its blooms are frequented by small butterflies and bees and a specific moth caterpillar loves the plant as its home. It is native to the Eastern seaboard and was found in the Appalachian Mountains in WV and does well in Zones 5-9. It blooms mid to late summer and its color is a light blue/lilac with a yellow eye and grows to a height of 2-3". It will do well in rock walls or in flagstone paths.

Monotropa uniflora-Indian Pipe, Corpse Plant

Propagating Indian Pipe is almost impossible since it is not a plant but a fungus that relies on the sugars from the trees in the forest soil. It does not produce chlorophyll and is a non-photosynthesizing plant, so it does not require sunlight. It is related to blueberries and heathers so unless you live in a forest there will be no reason to propagate it or it will succumb. However its flowers and stems are all white, reminds some of Lily of the Valley, blooms in mid summer to early fall, is hardy in Zones 4-8, and grows to 6-12" in height and is native to Asia, North America and South America.

Baptisia australis-False Indigo, False Lupin

Propagating False Indigo is best done by cutting or seeding because it’s roots are deep underground and it takes an axe to split its dense base and then you need to get at least two buds to insure that the transplant lives, however it could take up to three years before it blooms. Take cuttings between January and March. Although one would assume by its name that it is a native to Australia it is actually a native to the US, Central and Eastern, and hardy in Zones 3-10. It reaches a height of 36-48" blooms in late spring to early summer and its flowers are bluish-purple. It will take either full sun or partial shade in well drained soil and because of its deep roots it is drought resistant.

Nelumbo lutea-American Lotus

Propagating American Lotus is easy since American Natives ate the tubers as sweet potatoes and the leaves as spinach. Cut the tubers that have at least 2 eyes and then replant into soil in pots with at least 6" of water on top, but not more then 4 feet, with the pot sitting in soil. They need to be fertilized once a month and requires full sun. Initially is was a native to the Southeast but spread throughout the country, is prohibited in Connecticut but endangered in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Hardy in Zones 4-11. Its bloom is a light yellow, reaches a foot in diameter, and flowers from mid summer through early fall.

Tradescantia pallida-Purple Heart or Purple Wandering Jew

Propagating Purple Heart is simple. Break off a brittle stem section and make certain the leaf nodule is planted under the surface of the sand and it should root easily with watering. They are easy to transplant as well. They can be invasive in Zones 8-10. A native of Mexico. As some of you know wandering jew can be found in hanging baskets inside the home. Its flowers are pink and bloom year round in the right climate. It will reach a height of 12" and prefers full sun but will also accept partial shade.

Saururus cernuus-Lizard’s Tail

Propagating Lizard’s Tail and be accomplished in the spring by dividing the root clump, however be aware it can be an aggressive grower in the right setting so planting in a container can stem the spread if necessary. It is a bog/pond perennial and is sometimes used in aquariums but does not flower in tanks, and it is native to North America and hardy in Zones 5-11. Its flower is white and blooms from mid summer to mid fall and attains a height on 18-36". Birds love the nectar and it is deer resistant and will do well in either shade or full sun.

Lathyrus latifolius-Everlasting Sweet Pea

There is no need to propagate perennial sweet pea because some considerate invasive if you don’t deadhead because each plant will drop 100 seeds in a growing season so this is best planted away from your intricate gardens or used to cover slopes. It also could be used as a screen instead of buying expensive woody plants and allow it to attach to chicken wire. It is not fragrant but comes in shades of red, pink, mauve, purple and white and blooms throughout the summer and into early fall, but it will attract butterflies. It is in the bean family so its tendrils will reach upwards of 6 feet and beyond, will tolerate drought, and will rot in winter if the soil is too moist. It should be cut back to the ground in the fall. It is native to Europe, deer will not munch, and hardy in Zones 3-9.

Cypripedium reginae-Lady’s Slipper Orchid

Propagating Lady’s Slipper Orchid takes patience and digging it up from its natural habitat is prohibited. It is a native to North America and is the state flower of New Hampshire and is hardy from Zones 3-8 but in warmer zones it prefers cooler areas similar to ferns with acidic type soil. Its height can reach 2-3' and blooms from late spring to early summer and blooms are a light pink to white. It’s growth spreads by rhizomes and propagating them isn’t hard but they take a while to mature and it is best done either in the spring or fall but don’t expect flowers until the second year.

Eucomis “Oakhurst”-Purple Pineapple Lily

Propagating Pineapple Lily should be accomplished in the spring and only every two years, because you need a mature bilbet before it reproduces and after slicing off the bulbet from the main bulb use powered sulphur to seal the slice to prevent rot. You can also divide the main bulb into 4 pieces. Pineapple Lily is native to S. Africa so it is only hardy in Zones 8-10. Butterflies and Hummingbirds love the flowers nectar which blooms from late summer until early fall. It is a member of the Hyacinth family. The flower color will range from a deep pink to purple and will reach a height of 24-30". It prefers a sandy loam amended soil that is moist but not wet.

Eucomis “Oakhurst”-Purple Pineapple Lily

Propagating Pineapple Lily should be accomplished in the spring and only every two years, because you need a mature bilbet before it reproduces and after slicing off the bulbet from the main bulb use powered sulphur to seal the slice to prevent rot. You can also divide the main bulb into 4 pieces. Pineapple Lily is native to S. Africa so it is only hardy in Zones 8-10. Butterflies and Hummingbirds love the flowers nectar which blooms from late summer until early fall. It is a member of the Hyacinth family. The flower color will range from a deep pink to purple and will reach a height of 24-30". It prefers a sandy loam amended soil that is moist but not wet.

Alstroemeria psittacina “Royal Star”-Variegated Parrot Feather

Before propagating Parrot Feather you should know that it is POISONOUS and TOXIC but it can be divided in the spring, it has fleshy roots and is a great cut flower so wear gloves when near the plant. It grows up to 36" and flowers through the summer into the fall. Its flowers are unusual because they are green and red finged with maroon and its leaves are variegated with white borders. It tolerates heat and humidity for Zones 7-9. Native to Mexico and Brazil.

Osteopermum-African Daisy, Cape Daisy

Propagating African Daisy is usually done by tip cuttings, with constant misting, in autumn or try layering. There are over 85 different species and the colors range from purple to yellow to white to blue and with constant deadheading will bloom throughout the summer up until frost but prefer cooler areas. The normal hardiness zones are 8-10. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers and the plants can vary in height from 8-24" and must have a well draining but moist soil and are susceptible to root rot and viruses, either in full sun or partial shade. African Daisies are native to Africa.

Omphalodes cappadocica-Navel-seed

Propagating Navel-seed is accomplished in the spring by digging up the rhizomes that spread underground and rooting it either in a medium separate from the plant or allowing it to spread off from the parent. It grows upwards of 6-10" and can either be used as an edging plant or in a rock garden since its blooms of blue or white tend to be profuse. It will bloom through most of the spring and can be used as a cut flower and is rabbit resistant. Hardy in Zones 6-9 but it prefers cool summers so plant in a windy location in partial shade, truley a woodland plant, in hotter zones in well draining soil. It is native to Asia Minor.

Orthosiphon aristatus-Cat’s Whiskers

Cat’s Whiskers is only a perennial in Zones 9-11 because it is a native of S.S. Asia. Honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to its nectar and colors come in white, blue and lavender. It prefers a bog or wet environment in either full sun or partial shade with no drying out, will bloom from late summer to early fall with deadheading, and will reach a height of 18-24". Propagation by 5-6" stem cutting in water or by layering.

Stipa gigantea-Giant Feather Grass

Giant Feather Grass should be used as a speciman plant in a windy location because it prefers cool summers and mild winters but is hardy from Zone 6-9 and in the former it is evergreen but should be cut back in early spring before new growth takes off. It can be divided in the spring but it will take some hacking to achieve division. It does not do well with a winter’s wet soil. It’s tan spikes start in early summer and can last through the winter and of course deer will not munch. It will reach a height of 8-10 feet so it could possibly be used as a screen with ample space. It is native to Spain, Portugal & Spain and is drought tolerant.

Chiastophyllum oppositifolium “Jim’s Pride”-Golden Lambstill

Spring 2012 is just around the corner in many Southern states and those in the Northern half well they could be still shoveling snow. Pity. The first plant in 2012 to propagate is Golden Lambstill which is a native of Armenia or the old Russia. If you can use your imagination it can be similar to Euonymous “Emerald Gaiety from a distance because it’s growth is rhizomatous so it is easy to divide however in early summer. It is evergreen that doesn’t mind full sun as long as the soil is moist and well draining and it is also a succulent. It is hardy from Zone 5, extra protection, to 9 and reaches a height of 4-6" and it’s flower blooms in late spring to early summer and is yellow.