The more compact cultivar of Verbena bonariensis (Lolipop’) was planted in the lower rear garden a year ago. I did not necessarily require the shorter plant, and perhaps the taller variety growing further upslope would be preferable in the long term if the nearby Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) spreads another few feet.

In the upper rear garden, I’ve seen the verbena fend for itself against the spread of dense foliage, and while the tall variety does not flop the short version is better suited for some locations.

I should have known, but seedlings from ‘Lolipop’ have grown much taller than the few shorter plants. Yes, these could be weeded out, but the reason I planted this verbena is its random seeding habit. In any case, the taller verbena was arguably most appropriate to compete with the mountain mint, and here it is.

While there is no purpose going into detail regarding plant genetics, the simple version is that seedlings of cultivars are likely to vary in appearance from parent plants. Thankfully, my two sons do not look like me, and of course, many treasured plants have resulted from parents with varying characteristics.

Along the driveway, bumblebees move from the originally planted white coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’) to pink-purple seedlings. I haven’t a clue if any of the whites are original plants or seedlings, but the native, pink-purple was expected. The mixed colors are not a problem. I’m happy that some white flowered coneflowers remain.