Topic: Amsonia tabernaemontana

[Georgie]

A friend has given me some Amsonia seed and I would like some advice please.  I've looked it up in my reference books but it doesn't say if this plant is scented or attractive to beneficial insects.  Is it?  Also, should I decide to try it, the sowing instructions are some what complex.  It says to surface sow at 13-18C for 2-3 weeks, place in the fridge for 3-6 weeks then return to recommended germination temperature.   Does this mean that I leave the seed in the fridge until the seed germinates?  What if nothing has happened after 6 weeks?  Do I still take it out and return to 13-18C.  Sorry to ask so many questions but I'm confused.

G xx

[Palustris]

Not sure about the scent, it is very much like a small flowered phlox.
Sowing instructions are always open to interpretation. What these mean is that the plant needs a period of warmth (and water) followed by a period of cold and then another period of warmth before germination takes place. Basically Autumn,Winter Spring then grow as Summer starts! So your seed (if it germinates at all) will start after the second period of heat, not in your fridge.

[Georgie]

Thanks Eric, you've explained that so well as usual.   :)  I'm going to try it then, I like a challenge.

G xx

[Amazin]

Re the scent - I found this from the RHS:

Some plants possess a light sweet fragrance, though none have yet been commercially selected for this quality.

Here's the address of the article:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/publications/plantsman/0605/amsonia.asp

[Jitterbug]

Good luck Georgie - I looked them up on the link provided above and they definitely seem worth the bother!  Keep us posted. ;D

[Georgie]

Thanks Amazin' and Jitterbug.   :)

G xx