While it's a lot faster to buy perennials grown in nurseries, you can scatter hundreds of seeds for the cost of one plant. Also, it's easier to find seeds for rare perennials than the perennials themselves.
June and July are an ideal time to get started. Begin by digging the soil to a depth of 8 inches. Add one part soil amendment, such as compost, to two parts soil.
Use an iron rake to break up any clods and smooth the soil; water the soil if it is dry, then let it drain overnight.
Sow seeds at a depth equal to three times their diameter. Very fine seeds should just be sprinkled over the surface of the soil.
Moisten the soil with a fine spray of water, then cover it with dampened burlap to keep the seeds from drying out. Water as necessary with a gentle spray. Remove the burlap when the first green sprouts appear.
Then be patient. Most perennials started in summer won't bloom until the next season.
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-- Homes & Gardens staff
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