Thanks -Looks like I should try starting the Mimulus soon. I did do a little more internet searching on these this morning, but sowing to bloom time is hard to find. I suppose that there are many variables, but in my short WI growing season, I didnt want to wait and sow in May if it means I wont get blooms before frost in October. My winter sowing experience hasnt been great, partially due to our late springs. I am trying something new with a few different seed types right now. They are sown and in the garage frozen solid (-5 for the high yesterday) but I plan on bringing them inside in a couple of weeks and placing them on the cold concrete floor to finish germinating, then will put them under lights when they sprout. If they are successful I may try some of the clarkia and wishbone that way and save the rest for direct sowing. Thanks again.

Hi I started my lupins a few days ago, and have sprouts many many sprouts! I was shoked when all the seeds germinated.(I read on a few posts that some folks had difficulty with them)So I wasn't expecting much to happen. What I did was rub the seeds between two sheets of sand paper 10 or so at a time. Then soaked them for 24 hours. Threw them into a container with a bit of dirt then into a bread bag. These were seeds from last falls plants, that I planted in my parents garden around 15 years ago. They were actualy my first perenial, and really hardy plants. Where they are planted is full sun, wind and clay soil, no fertilizer or amendments to the soil and they just keep ona going year after year. No clue as to the variey,(pink and purple flowers. probably russels?) The original plant was bought late season when the garden centers knock down the prices, to get rid of the left overs, so no tags. Amazing I can remember when and where I bought that plant over 15 years ago, but can remember where I put my key's half the time! Im hoping that my newbies will do as well,as their parent plants.!Frogged

very few types are true from seed..one of the reasons I enjoy it so much you never really know what your going to get.. this is one from seed this year. the variegation makes it slow but its the best one from seed so far

Hi Amanda, I am not too sure coming from seed but I think you are looking at 1 to 2 years. I grew my salvia discolor from a tiny cutting and it flowered in a year, it is actually flowering now and has been for the last 8 weeks.It sure is a beauty.Look under the leaf, the underside is white and the stem is white.Lets hope someone else can be more definate for you. Cheers Annette