You don't say where you are located so don't know how to compare with my experience. I live in central Arkansas and we, too, had a terribly cold winter and spring this year. While I did have winter sown seedlings germinate in late March, in that same winter sown container, I just had three more seeds germinate within the past few days. If you purchase plants now, I'd still give your winter sown jugs a bit more time. I'm actually surprised you have Butterfly Weed already sprouting, as they are usually later than most milkweed.

You also might want to check in with the Winter Sowing forum to see if other growers in your area are faring any better.

~Mary

Hang in there Liz. Things will get better. Though, it is sometimes a mystery why some seeds sprout and others don't. I have two containers of Joe Pye Weed right next to one another. One is full of sprouts, the other has none. Who knows what could cause it? I don't keep close enough records to know when each container was planted, or what growing medium I used for each one. That might shed some light, but I have enough plants to get by.

Good luck, Martha

Thanks. I have you to thank for those asters, Martha. Even the ones I planted as sees last August or September have resprouted. Looking forward to the flowers eventually.

Liz

Liz,

If your Liatris ligualistylis don't work out, let me try to send you some plants. I have some in their third year, plus volunteers and a bunch of seedlings have sprouted in my containers. If the roots are like other Liatris, they should transplant easily and I could send them bare root, but wrapped in plastic.

Martha