Perennials to Sow in Autumn

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Stratification and Perennial Seeds

Many of the most interesting and unusual garden species produce seeds that require very particular conditions to germinate. Very often these conditions involve cold, a simulation of winter, generally referred to as “stratification” in the seed trade. But whenever possible, it is easier to utilize an actual winter.

Most perennial seeds that require long periods of cold can simply be sown outdoors in the autumn, either into prepared garden beds or into pots of moist soil kept out of direct sunlight and safe from wind and marauding animals. The seeds should be exposed to fluctuations in light and temperature, particularly the cycles of freezing and thawing. On our farm we overwintered pots of seeds in our drafty unheated barn, nestled in northern windowsills or in trays under cold grow lights on a timer, wrapped in plastic to help maintain moisture and keep mice from nibbling the newly sprouted seedlings. Screened porches are also great. Basically any place you can keep a pot of seeds secure and moist will be sufficient.

In a newsletter this spring I discussed the magic of thawing soils, and the same logic applies here: seed dormancy is an evolutionary adaptation that is easily overcome by any gardener with patience to appreciate the needs of a seed. We are fortunate in the north to still have reliably cold winters, while our peers in some coastal and most subtropical zones have to make do with a refrigerator. Snow is a gardener. The vernalization crisis is real, but not here.

Seeds that Need the Cold

Among our Perennial Edibles are several seeds that really must be sown in autumn for reliable germination in the spring: Alexanders, Hablitzia, Good King Henry, Duck Potatoes, Bistort and Camas. We have coaxed Spoonwort and Scotch Lovage to life in late winter and early spring but they too are best allowed to overwinter. We just added seeds for Bath Asparagus and too rare Siberian Claytonia, which likewise can be sown now for spring germination.

Lots of North American flowering natives require stratification to germinate, including the perennial Maximillian Sunflower, Bush’s Poppy Mallow, rare Echinacea tennesseensis and fragrant little Coyote Mint, architectural Scented Penstemon, golden Echinacea paradoxa, and delicious Greenthread. The rare woodland Aniseroot also requires stratification, as does the Blue Elderberry.

The genus of Crambe includes some of the most ancient and peculiar hardy perennials, many of which are utilized for food. Sea Kale is a fabulous plant, suitable for landscaping but also long valued in Europe for its tender early spring growth, which is traditionally blanched beneath terra cotta cloches. Tartarian Bread Root, Crambe tatarica, produces huge starchy roots. We just added the singular and spectacular Crambe cordifolia, a massive plant that is among the most remarkable and unusual ornamental perennials. All of these require stratification to germinate!

Seeds for diverse medicinal species from around the world need stratification. The very fragrant European Black Elderberry has seeds that are challenging to germinate, and the best method I know of is simply sowing them in to a pot placed outdoors to overwinter. Super hardy Maral Root germinates best if overwintered outdoors, as do our favorite Gentians, Tibetan and Hungarian. Our Angelica and Echinacea will germinate in early spring but can be sown outdoors right now.

More Seeds to Sow in Autumn

If you have never partaken of the pleasure of sprinkling seeds onto cleared garden beds in the autumn you are missing out. There is no need to water, no rush, no fear. Winter will do all the work. Poppies in particular are very reliable when sown this way, as is little Heartsease and the classic Hollyhock Mallow. I have found that spring sown seeds of Wild Fennel can wait until the next spring to sprout, so I sow them now. Borage seeds can be sown now everywhere, and in mild climates and maritime regions Calendula and Bachelor Buttons can be strewn willy nilly.

New and Restocked Seeds!

I have only just begun adding new seeds, there will be many more to come. Some are in very short supply, like the aforementioned Siberian Claytonia and Bath Asparagus, and others are in generous packets, like the lovely green ‘Mojito’ Tobacco. The diminutive Sweet Pea Currant is one of my favorite tomatoes, as is Coyote, which has just been restocked. I grew out the Mandarin Balm this year and it was impressive in ways I was not expecting. Our native hardy flax, Lewis’ Perennial Flax, should be sown outdoors now!

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