Shimla,
Last year was my first year winter sowing. I was nervous and split all of my seed packs. I had small containers, so most things got split into 4 pots. I sowed 2 in the dead of winter, and another two sowed in early spring after the harsh April frost. I noticed similar germination/survival rates in pots that were sowed at the same time. The only case where it was benificial to have two pots started at the same time was when a caterpillar ate all of one pot's seedlings. When comparing pots started in the dead of winter, vs. mid April, there were differences in germination rates. Some winter pots did better, and some spring pots did better. It seemed to depend on the type of seed. I'll be sowing in winter and spring again this year for insurance.

Squirrel girl

Shimla,
I don't know if you'll end up with anything from me or not : ), but if you do get anything listed as perennial from me, they have done well for me with the earlier sowing time. Some hardy perennials need a good winter chill of a month or two to germinate at a high rate. The cold hardy annuals and perennials that I know don't need much cold but will germinate in cooler weather, I sow at the beginning of March. Tender perennials and annuals I sow at the end of March through April.
There's a great reference site with germination codes that I wish I could remember right now. It told if the type of seed need a cold period and for how long, etc. I feel like it is Canadian. My computer had to be reformated and I forgot to write down web addresses I had bookmarked. Maybe someone will read this and remember what I'm talking about.
Remy

Remy, was it Tom Clothier's site?
Here's the link.
Mary

Here is a link that might be useful: Tom Clothier

Shimla
I find it hard to answer general question about seed germination. Tom Clothier is one of my favorite sites to check for germination requirements. Another is Prof. Deno book you could obtain from JL Hudson website. Excellent source of knowledge about many rare seeds, specially if you are interested in working with GA-3. Some of seeds do need lots of requirements to be met. If there any special varieties you are concerned you might list them here and possibly people will share their experience with those. Some seeds need to be fresh and some just need loooong time to germinate.
Seeds such as corydalis, aconitum, hellebore, hepatica need to be started fresh. Many thalictrums will have poor germination without GA-3 or long wintersowing period. Some plants have hypogeal germination where all that develops a first year is root/ bulb and only another cold period will produce first leaf.
Gardens North have excellent varieties of seeds for shady/ woodland/ native plants and list many requirements on their site. Kristl / owner/ is also very knowledgeble and easy to communicate with if you have any questions.
You are welcome to look at my list, I have shady garden and have been growing many shade loving plants for years. Also if you interested in any of them, you welcome to send SASE or we could work something out.

Mary,
No, but I remembered! The Ontario Rock Garden Society. Clothier's site I completely forgot, lol, but it is of course a great one.
Remy

Here is a link that might be useful: Ontario Rock Garden Society

Thanks guys for all of the wonderful feedback! I'm so glad that I posted. I will be spending a few hours on both of those sites to try to get familiar with what I am trying to grow.

I normally sow my perennials from A to Z and then start up with my annuals. I realize it's hard to generalize an answer without any specific info. I'm still waiting for my swaps to come through so I don't have a full list of what I'll be trying this year! I haven't been to Garden's North yet, either... :) I'm sure I will be able to find the information I need researching on those links. If I still find I'm unsure about anything, I'll play it safe and plant 2 pots.

It was very interesting to read a little bit about the GA-3 which I wasn't familiar with. It sounded much different than rooting hormone so I'll do some more research on that, too.

I found something in my dead zone this year. (I plant my dud pots in the ground in what I call the 'dead zone' in hopes they might come up on their own). I believe it was Solomon's Seal, if not it was Jack-in-the-Pulpits but it must have been hypogeal because I just noticed little bulbets that grew from the prior year. The shade plants are very interesting, I've been missing out!

I had the opportunity to visit a couple of local gardener's shade gardens this year. They were just beautiful! You guys must be in love with yours. My tastes have changed over the years and now I'm leaning more toward variegated and different textured plants. Shade gardening opens up so many more aspects. I'm really looking forward to it!

Linda thanks for the sase offer. I'm going to stay optomistic and hope to make some fun trades with you in a couple of years when my plants bloom!

Remy - I'm again looking forward to our wish list swap! I sent you a little something from a commercial packet I had ordered this year. You'll have to wait 'till your package comes :) I hope it's something new for you, some of you guys were really, really hard to find something for!