My two weeks of summer business travel annually coincide with the peak flowering of three Bottlebrush buckeyes (Aesculus parviflora, below). Two in part sun in the rear garden flower first, but both were barely cracking bud when I left the second week of July. The third, the oldest and by far the largest, is more shaded so flowers remained when I returned, but they were far past their peak.

I was surprised earlier in the spring to see what I thought were seedlings popping up on the backside of the larger buckeye. I soon discovered these were ground hugging branches that were beginning to root, a habit the bottlebrush buckeye is known for, but one I had not witnessed since planting it years ago. And, since I’m always looking to add to the boundary planting along this property line (which is already well over the property line, but don’t tell), I made plans to cut some of the rooted stems to plant and possibly to pot a few as giveaways. I expect the roots have not developed enough to dig them until late winter, but then there will be a handful or two of substantial starter plants.

Free plants are almost always a good thing, and many can be rooted, divided, or started from seed by gardeners who have the bare minimum skill to do such a thing. I am fully capable, but sadly negligent in watering which is essential for young plants and the reason I rarely try my hand at propagation.

Yes, I’ve divided and transplanted hostas successfully, and transplanted and potted many divisions of Sacred lilies (Rohdea japonica) and ground orchids (Bletilla striata, above) to spread around the garden and to share with our sons. These couldn’t be easier, and I’ve successfully dug several rooted branches of the Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’), but I regularly fail with starting seeds and with stem cuttings that should be nearly as simple.

Attention to watering is the key, and I just don’t get the attention thing. I’ve killed far too many seedlings and cuttings, but I’m proud to announce that several dozen Blackberry lilies (Iris domestica, aka Belamcanda chinensis, above) planted from seed in late winter are now eight to ten inches tall in four inch pots. Fortunately, ones I’ve planted in prior years supply hundreds of seeds, and these dozens have survived my neglect.

There’s always some place to cram in these beauties, but if I fall short I expect my sons will take any leftovers. Like most gardeners, they also enjoy free plants.