When I'm not trying to grow things from seed, I get lucky sometimes. Here are some examples.

This is a Mexican primrose, as you probably know already because they're so popular here. I got mine many years ago from my mother-in-law, who got hers from her hairdresser. She called them "Texas roses" and actually considered them nuisances because they spread. Of course, plants that spread so much they become nuisances are exactly what I need. (I do have to laugh whenever I see them at nurseries for $5 or more in a gallon pot.)

I was surprised las year to realize my Mexican primroses were being crowded out by other plants in my semi-wild side garden. I really didn't want to lose them altogether because they're great flowers—drought tolerant, pretty, long blooming.

So I found some trying to grow around some stepping stones, scraped up some dirt (as you can see, I couldn't even find enough to fill the pot), dug up a few of the little plants (trying not to disturb the roots too much, which is impossible), and planted them in the pot. I set the pot on the concrete steps on the south side of my house and watered them occasionally (when I thought about it) throughout the winter.

This is the result.

(One thing to keep in mind if you're thinking of planting these in your yard: They attract tomato hornworms. I happen to think tomato hornworms are cool looking, and they turn into hummingbird moths, which I also like.)

It's the water, stupid

Remember last fall I was whining about my strawberry plants not bearing any fruit? Earlier this spring I replanted them in plastic pots because I knew the wooden boxes I had them in weren't holding water very well..



Yes, those are berries already on the plant in the rear pot! The wooden box I had them in last year is in the foreground. Apparently the plants weren't bearing because they weren't getting enough water.

By the way, the plant in the foreground on the left is French tarragon, which is a perennial I bought in a tiny little pot several years ago. I doubt I'd ever get it to grow from seed.

Sometimes I just get lucky

Here's one thing that's done well without my planting seeds. Well, I take that back. I actually scattered a few packages of wildflower seeds in my semi-wild side garden many years ago, and blue flax was one of the things that came up. It's come up every year since and has even moved into the front yard. (Funny how easy it is for Mother Nature to grow plants from seed.)

This year, the flax has amazed me with how early it's blooming and how blue it is.


Another weird thing is that the penstemon that has grown along with the flax for years has almost disappeared. I keep being reminded that gardens never stay the same; they are always evolving. I'm planning to plant the Mexican primroses where the penstemon used to be. No seeds required.