Seed collecting Trumpet Vine

by jan
(Minnesota)

Your article on Trumpet Vines was very good. My friend has the red variety and I would like to collect the seed and start my own 'thug'. It is very pretty.

When/how to collect the seed? Does it need to stratify? Can I plant the collected seed now (fall) or store it overwinter. How to store seed...refrig? When to seed start indoors?

I am in zone 3-4.

Doug says - simply take the dried seed pods, shell them like peas to get the seeds, and keep seeds cool and dry for the winter.

Treat like any other perennial.

They grow with or without stratification. This is an easy seed to grow. The simplest thing to do is toss half the seed where you want the plant to grow next year - store and sow the other half in the house in a pot early in January. No special heat or cold to get it to germinate.

Stand back - they grow quickly. :-)