Butterfly Bush Seed Saving

Sarahskeeper Brockton, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 06, 2006

These seed are super small but if you want to save some, now is the time.
If you still have old spent flower heads on them.
All pics were taken today.
Here is a spent flower head. Note how the seed pods are cracking open.

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Sarahskeeper Brockton, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 06, 2006

A closer view showing the opening seed pods.
Gently shake them over a dish and the tiny seed will fall out.

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Sarahskeeper Brockton, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 06, 2006

Like I said they are very small.The actual seed is the brown dot within each thread. It's fine to save them as they are here.
Keep them in a small paper envelope in a cool dry location. About 6 weeks before your last Spring frost is time to plant them in flats of pre-moistened seed starter mix. Just drop the seed on top, do not cover them. Cover the flat loosely with wax paper and place on sunny window sill. Bottom water to keep moist. They will sprout in a couple of weeks. They bloom the first season.
Have fun.
Andy P

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ZZsBabiez Lodi, CA(Zone 9b) Jan 08, 2006

Great pics! Thank you!

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admodeva Dutton, AL(Zone 7a) Jan 21, 2006

Thanks for the info and photos, I'll try and get some off my butterfly bushes tomorrow.

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soulgardenlove Marietta, GA(Zone 7b) Jan 22, 2006

Oh wow! Now, I'll pay closer attention Andy! Thanks :)

Susan

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Sarahskeeper Brockton, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 22, 2006

I was out in the yard yesterday and shook some seed heads and got a flurry of seed to fall out. Each head must have many thousand. When it's dry, hold an envelope under the seed head and shake.
Andy P

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