puppyscruff, about.com had a really good site just by 'heliopsis' that answered all my questions on all the varieties. Are you doing the common, native-type or one of the hybrid varieties that may have less germination?

I winter sowed mine with good success.

Dottie, originally they were a double doubloon variety, but I think they have gone back to a simpler single type.

By winter sowing, do you mean in situ or in flats, ncrescue?

Milk jugs and other plastic containers...learned about it on GW and have been doing it for at least six years.

It is especially good with natives, as many need stratification. Also, some take two or more years, so I can just leave the containers in the shade in the summer, water if we doin't have rain, and then I get plants Yeah!

Just this week I was going to use the soil from a container that had not germinated, or so I thought! Lots of baby Solomon Seals...had to replant. Growing things from seeds always has surprises.

Very cool about those Solomon's Seals! Must have been exciting to find them!