I planted some seed in February, but not a single one came up. I used seed that I harvested in January, so perhaps it had become a bit mouldy on the plant over the winter. It looked OK though.

Two weeks ago, I started again with seed from a packet, but nothing has germinated yet. Am I being a bit impatient?

I grew this plant about five years ago, but I dont remember having any trouble then.

For my established plants, I cut them down to about an inch above the soil about January time and they are now shooting again. This is after being covered in snow for a week and several hard frosts. I've wondered if the good drainage of our sandy soil has helped them to survive, since the roots won't have been waterlogged over the winter.

I did the same a couple of years ago. Then I saw that cold stratification for 2 weeks helps, so I put the tray in the fridge for 10 days. It still did not germinate so I put it on one side to throw out. A week later I went back to throw it out and every single seed had germinated, there must have been a 150% germination rate!

I love the plant, and once established you keep finding seedlings everywhere, but all very welcome. They are supposed to be short lived but all my original plants are still going.

I tried to grow Verbena Hastata the next year and the same thing happened, but I did not persist and chucked it all away as I had too many plants of all types by that stage.

No I did not actually expect it to germinate in the fridge, I left out the fact that it was 2 weeks or so later with no signs of germination that I gave up hope. Only to find my honed skill of procrastination triumphed yet again.

But I was interrested in you comments on Allium Christophii. Again I put them in the fridge but nothing happened. As they were my own seeds, not purchased, I probably chucked them away too quickly. If I had paid good money I would have persisted for longer. I shall try again.

Alcina

'a 150% germination rate!' Is this a genuine miracle? Or do we just not do maths around here? ;-)