Description
If you’re looking to grow something completely different this year, European umbrella milkwort (Tolpis barbata, formerly Crepis barbata) is worth a look. This uncommon annual grows in loose, open-branching clumps of slender stems with composite flowers: square-tipped, notched, soft yellow outer “petals” surrounding shorter, darker yellow ones and a very dark maroon center. The plants can reach about 18 inches tall but tend to sprawl a bit as the bloom season progresses, because new flowering shoots form just underneath open flowers, weighing down the stem tips. The buds, and then the developing seedpods, are surrounded by slender, green, upswept sepals, like the ribs of an upside down umbrella. Last year, I sowed the seed directly in my garden in mid-April, and the plants flowered abundantly in June to mid-July, with scattered flowers into September. Full sun to light shade. Annual.
Harvested in July to early August 2022. At least 20 seeds.
Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
LINDA DOWNER (verified owner) –
Hard to find seeds. TU