Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Garden Maintenance FAQ #2: Each spring I see small seedlings of some of my perennials, such as lupine, foxglove, and coneflower, around the base of the "parent" plant. Should I let these seedlings grow where they are, transplant them, or just pull them out? Answer: As you can see, many perennials "self-sow;" that is, they produce viable seeds that sprout and grow into new plants with little, if any, care from the gardener. It's really up to you whether you leave the seedlings or remove them. Foxgloves are biennial, so the seedlings you leave this year will produce blooms next year. Lupines tend to be somewhat short-lived as individual plants, but if left to self-sow they can create permanent plantings. Coneflowers will form a dense stand if seedlings are allowed to grow. Note, however, that hybrid plants usually don't grow "true to type" from seed; that is, the daughter plants may not have the same characteristics of the parent plants. If you are growing hybrids or special cultivars -- for example, a white-flowered coneflower -- then the offspring plants may revert to purple flowers. Garden phlox will usually revert to a somewhat muddy purple color. In these cases, you may want to remove the seedlings to keep them from crowding out the original plants. If you decide to leave the seedlings, thin them to keep them from getting crowded. You can simply snip off or pull up extras, or dig up a small rootball and transplant them.
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