I winter-sowed Baptisia australis and B. leucantha 3 years ago, and the seeds were from Prairie Moon nursery and they apparently pre-scarify the seeds and also provide an inoculum which is supposed to help germination. They were winter-sown in February and germinated well. They are now 3 years old in 1 gallon pots since I haven't been able to figure out where to plant them yet (hmmmm). They might have bloomed this year, if they were in the ground, but they haven't bloomed yet. Patience required with these guys! Baptisia has thick tuberous roots, but in my experience actually does fine with transplanting and root disturbance. I've transplanted the seedlings up to bigger pots a couple times and they did okay. Also, I bought some pot-bound mature Baptisia plants several years ago in November, with thick circling roots. So I repotted and overwintered them in bigger pots, planted them in the Spring, and they've thrived.

Hi, The saved seed will probably produce mostly regular foliage. As a seed trader, I would take the change on a trade in hopes of getting a seedling that comes up variegated. Webkat is right though. Variegated plants are a hot item. I'm not sure about trying to propagate a baptisia though being they are so slow to increase. Tissue culture maybe? Terra Nova Nursery propagates new plants from people and they pay the originator of the plant a royalty on sales. Remy Here is a link that might be useful: Terra Nova Plant Purchasing Info

I'm so sorry, but the weather is supposed to be miserable tomorrow, plus I've had a few cancellations which brings our number down to 3! I wanted to post to make sure anyone who was planning to swing by knows, but I think I contacted everyone who contacted me via email. Thanks for those who tried to help me pull this together. I promise to be better at organizing early the next swap. If anyone wants to come by for any of the plants I have let me know. luckyladyslipper - I have plenty of the Artemesia and I love it. If you want to meet a different day, I'd love to trade some for a peachy daylily. Lisa

never get rid of a gift ... late in your career.. you will have a list of plants that need be gone ... take the gift ... get rid of a problem ... forgive me if i presume you are on the newb side of the learning curve ... but so many of your questions .. are more interior design based ... than garden based ... just shove it in wherever you have a spot ... and if by fall you decide thats not a great space.. move it .. or get rid of it .. in the alternative.. make a nursery bed ... where you just stick stuff.. to see how it grows,... habit.. etc ... and move them out in fall or next spring ... all those words.. makes me think you are a worrier.. or retentive.. the garden is where you wing it.. have fun.. dont worry ... really.. when it all boils down.. gardening is just an excuse for adults to play in the dirt ... so channel your inner child.. and just play ... there really arent any definitive answers to many of your questions.. until you figure out your dream landscape ... and who really cares what others think about it it ... oh.. and when you find something spare in your garden.. go take him a piece ... bet he finds something else to share ... ken ps: when you get a heavily stressed plant.. say without soil ... pot it and keep it in shade for a week.. or until fall ... and then plant it out ... but i bet a buck.. he knew that it would live regardless ... which brings to mind another general rule ... just because you get your grubby little hands on it.. does not mean its planting time .. as the heat of summer builds.. you hold things in pots.. until fall planting ... which brings a truism to mind.. lol .. your not a real gardener.. until you have more than 100 pots to plant in fall ... lol .. and that is when you really start winging it .. and sticking things in any bare spot in the yard ...lol.. then the next spring your like.. what is all this stuff ... ok.. im done amusing myself.. hope there was something in all this that was helpful