Dec 2025

22-12-2025

I wanted to plant the seedlings that had germinated in the seedheads (vivipary or precocious germination). While choosing some seedheads, I discovered more vivipary with the giant knapweed (Centaurea macrocephala).

and a striped woodlouse

I chose 4 sea holly seedheads

and 4 teasel seedheads

and the one giant knapweed seedhead as it was all I had 

sea holly on the left, planted some seedheads and while I tried to open them up, lots of seeds came out so planted those as well; teasel on the right, I cut open the seedheads placed them on top of the compost

closer view of that small pot above with some teasel seedlings I eased out of a seedhead

there seems to be quite a sturdy base to the seedlings, not sure how they'd grow though that so tried planting both the cut seedheads and some removed seedlings

I also put a couple seedheads on the ground to see if the seedlings would grow into the ground

Even if none of my seedlings grow, here's one that grew earlier. Seed must have been in a pot I brought from my previous garden as I don't think I had teasels in bloom last year when a seed would have had to drop to grow this. 

While in the garden, I also noticed these seedlings growing on some brown stems that were on the ground so quite wet. I'm not sure what they are. I guess this is more vivipary. 

at first I wasn't sure if the seeds were in the stems (a stem-like seedhead I guess) but on closer examination, yes the seeds are inside

I planted some by placing them on top of the compost

I did 6 small pots. It's very cold today and getting colder this week so not sure if they'll actually be growing but they're in a position to now. 

I also wanted to plant out my two uncertain rosettes while the ground is reasonably soft and it's not too cold. Sadly I managed to drop this one and a lot of leaves broke off. Very annoyed with myself. I hope it will recover.

This one does look a bit evening primrose-like but I think it's something else. Giving it a chance to grow and bloom will allow me to identify it -eventually. 

Although I had lots of small teasels (Dipsacus pilosus) this past summer, I haven't noticed any vivipary in the seedheads. After the common teasels, the small teasels are my most numerous seedheads in the garden. I did notice a couple of small teasel rosettes so I have hope of some small teasels next year but I really should try to collect some seed and sow it. 

c 

11-12-2025 surprised to see this claytonia self-seeding, I had it in a pot in my last garden but haven't seen it since I moved, although I did bring a number of pots but sadly not all, so no idea where a seed came from or how it survived for 2 years but very glad to see that it has

another self-seeder but I'm not sure of this, will wait and see

these two are clearly beaked hawk's-beard (Crepis vesicaria), now I just need to get them in the ground; the ground's been rock hard for a long time but I'm hoping recent rain has finally made it possible to plant out

I've seen lots of rosettes while out and about this week, these two possibly shepherd's purse

some magnificent storksbill rosettes (this was enormous for storksbill, didn't get out my expanding rule but will next week when I should be back there)

lots of beaked hawk's-beard (Crepis vesicaria)

also a lot of hoary mustard rosettes

catsear (Hypochaeris radicata)

catsear rosettes in situ and lots of other rosettes 

bristly oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides)

teasel

sow thistle

spear thistle

2-12-2025 This year the weather has been extreme - drought and heatwave for months and now so much rain soaking the seedheads in my garden. I discovered vivipary on the sea holly (Eryngium planum) as well as the teasels. 

with a different cat, a white stray cat that visits