found-seed gardening

[VT100]

I think it is slightly magical when a tiny seed grows into a plant. Maybe I'm just jealous that men can't give birth. (OK, not the actual birth part, but the rest seems pretty cool). Anyway, in additiona to buying seeds, I have taken to using seeds from plants I see while out on a walk. Sort of "finding" seeds. Well, "finding" them in someone elses landscaping. Some of the perenials take years to grow enough to flower on their own, but that's OK too. Normal people just buy the plants at a nursury, plop them in the ground, and call it a day. Nearly all of those plants are clones of plants carefully selected for whatever characteristic people are shooting for these days. Here are a few examples of plants that came from seeds I found about 2 1/2 years ago. Daylilly, Red-hot Poker, and Purple Gayfeather. All good low-water consumers that are happy in my area.

Seeds are more hit and miss. Since the genes are shuffled for every plant, you get a collection of slightly different plants. Sometimes quite different. Some people don't like that, but I'm cool with it. A little variety is a good thing, at least as I see it. Of course when I see a little plant that I don't recognize, I tend to let it grow in the hopes it is something I like. So I tend towards weediness.

There is also the ethical concern. Ordinarily I would say if I "find" something in someone elses property, it is really stealing. But is it really stealing if the owner is going to cut it down and throw it away anyway? I personally don't think it is really stealing. Maybe an agressive form of sharing. Or a free-lance cleanup of someone elses garden. Mostly I grab these things from suburban office landscaping, when the landscapers haven't gotten around to cutting off the seed-heads of the plants. And before the birds get to them. And honestly, it doesn't look like a plague of locusts came and devestated the plants. I doubt anyone would really even notice. If someone dropped by my yard and picked a few seeds from my plants, I doubt I'd know. For all I know, it happens all the time.

[VT100]

Maybe it is just as well my eyesight is not what it used to be. It might be the uinverses way to tell me to not worry about the weeds. Not that I needed any encouragement anyway...

[Mel]

Too funny - I snitch seeds all the time, especially columbines. I fill my pockets at parks (except the protected ones) and especially commercial landscaping and gardens. It's like treasure finding and sharing seeds.
My garden is a beautiful mess. I find that without glasses, the colors blend into a Monet type collage and it's lovely, as long as I keep my distance and can't make out the weeds!

[VT100]

Many perenials can be grown in pots, so if the garden is not there now, you can get started in any sunny window. It is awesome, and it costs practically nothing.

[naturegeek]

Wow - neat!! I love this idea! Diversity is survival - and what are "weeds" anyway, but wildflowers growing where you don't want them to. And who wouldn't want guest flowers in their garden? Well, lots of people, I guess, but when I finally get a garden/yard it's going to be a mess. A beautiful mess. (to me, anyway!)

This is such a good idea that I'm going to start looking for seeds - there are a few houses around here with beautiful wildflower xeriscape type gardens, and I love them - I never thought of just harvesting some seeds!

Awesome. :-)