I have found that poppies are some of the first to germinate. The Verbena is much slower, I haven't tried Lupines. Being patient is hard, I'm checking mine all the time. As long as they aren't sitting in water or totally without moisture, you should be fine. .

I WS (for the first time) 30 varieties, beginning in December (mistake, many died), then again in February (at which time I re-seeded those that died in December also), and twice in March - those which I thought might be more tender or difficult. Zone 7a.

Poppies were WS in Feb and March and have all germinated - and yes, they were my first to germinate. Lupines... WS in Mid March, nothing yet. Maribeth is correct, give them some time :-) At this time of year I'm keeping mine watered somewhat regularly - damp soil. I overwatered yesterday and removed the tops a bit today as the sun is out and it's about 55 F here. And yes, I'm checking all mine regularly as it's pretty exciting to see those first leaves pop out! Patience is a virtue I hear... I am not that virtuous, apparently!

Of the seeds I thought might be most difficult to grow were Liatris Gayfeathers - Feb WS and they've got true leaves. Forget Me Nots, Feb, germinated with true leaves. Snapdragans and Gaillardia also WS in Feb and doing well now with true leaves.

The only seeds that have germinated since WS mid March are poppies, some shasta daisies, candy tufts, and one teeny Savannah Ruby Grass - all others, both perennial and annual have yet to germinate but it does take time and I'm not concerned. Since your Zone 6a, I'm guessing you just need to give them time.

One note I'll add that I didn't read anywhere or missed... I had to use a liquid fertilizer when the 2nd set of leaves (true leaves) popped out. Miracle gro or fish fertilizer worked well. No fertilizer before that, of course.

I'm in 5b and winter-sowed about 15 different perennials in mid January. I'm just now (beginning of April) starting to see the very first signs of germination in a few of the jugs: Lupines were the first to sprout, along with Scabiosa and Penstemon a few days later. I'm still seeing no germination in any of my other jugs for the moment, but we also haven't gotten any consistent doses of warm spring weather yet.

Igmuse, did you get more germination? I just now am starting to see tiny seedlings of Verbena. We have had several snows and cold but we seem to be having a nice warm stretch where the nights will stay above freezing. I hope your germination is well ahead of mine.

Thanks, everyone, I did get germination. I was sick for a week and stopped obsessively checking on the seeds, and then discovered that most had come up. I even have true leaves on a couple of the lupines. This is my third year trying to grow lupine from seed, I can’t seem to keep the baby plants alive. Maybe they will be stronger from winter sowing. We‘re having our usual rainy spring, hope the seeds can take it. I used Jiffy seed starting mix, hope that provides the drainage they need.

Wonderful news and beautiful pictures! Your seedlings look very healthy.

Very healthy babies - so glad they germinated! Those poppies look very green and nice - they all do. You'd think I'd be patient too, especially given I told you to be (above), but I had about 60 that hadn't germinated (sowed too late I felt) and now... a few babies : ) I'd given up on them. A watched pot never boils? Maybe watched seeds like to germinate in private! LOL!