2026 April 19 Identifying Seedlings

Propagation is so important for getting to know plants. It’s far easier to identify a plant that is leafed out and blooming mid-summer than a newly emerging true leaf between the cotyledons. As someone who wants to be able to quickly see a plant and be able to name it, I study the plants at all stages. Winter sowing has been a great way to get to know everybody as they emerge. 

On this chilly April day, about half of the seeds I have Winter sown have come up. It’s amazing how even when they are so tiny, you can definitely see the differences! Below are the seedlings that already sprouted with their names for future reference. 

Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum

Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea 

Poke Milkweed Asclepias exaltata

Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata

Hairy Wood Mint Blephilia hirsuta 

(This almost looks like basil. Also, I did this one in an opaque white milk jug. Looks like it works just fine!)

Closed Bottle Gentian Gentana andrewsii 

(So tiny!)

Shrubby St. John’s Wort Hypericum prolificum 

(Prolific, right?!)

Scarlet Beebalm Monarda didyma 

(Funny how a lot of the mint family looks like basil when it comes up)

Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana

Blue Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora

Wild American Senna Senna herbecarpa

Steeplebush Spirea Spirea tomentosa

New York Aster Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 

Hoary Vervain Verbena stricta