Thanks for clarifying this, Laura – definitely an important thing to emphasize about Mentzelia! Great that you’re growing it in the 6th Ward garden.

Jackie,
The mentzelia is a biannual, meaning it makes a rosette the first year and then makes flowers the second year. So… just be aware it is not perennial so you’re not sad if it’s flowered and then doesn’t return. It is not too hard to start from seeds. And then if you have a good spot you’ll get lots of volunteers next season.

We have Mentzelia in the 6th Ward native plant garden in Helena, so I’ve learned a lot about these amazing, tough, rough beauties! Happy gardening!

Hi Jackie,

Good to hear from you, and fingers crossed that your Mentzelia plants grow well and produce lots of seeds!

Glad you enjoyed this article about my experiences with Mentzelia here in Montana.

Shane

I have one surviving plant of two seedlings I got this year from Wild Ones Front Range Douglas/Elbert. I’ve got it caged during this establishment year so our notorious neighborhood mule deer can’t bother it. Next year I’ll free it and hope for the best but may need more plants so they can produce fertile seeds.
I really enjoyed the article – thank you Shane!

Thanks Ashley! Great that you’re growing a few of them… hopefully some bumblebees and sphinx moths visit them!

Shane

Thanks for sharing your experience, Ray. Glad to know you’ve had good luck starting it from seed!

Yes, I have grown it easily in my garden in American Canyon, CA. The seed production is very generous, but I don’t find any seedlings from it. But it comes easily if you plant the seed and water the pot. When it gets to no longer being a seedling, I plant it out on its own and give it some water. When it grows, I withhold all water. It does not care. A great plant, a bit gangly, especially after bloom has ceased.

It’s great that you got to find these plants – and I’m so glad you enjoyed this article, too!