Tara asks: “I’ve noticed scarlet calamint all over my neighborhood recently and I would like to add some to my yard. Should I collect seeds, transplant an entire plant or two (or ten) or take cuttings?
Emily says: “Red calamint, like so many other plants that grow in a sandy environment, are often hard to transplant. The root systems must take up water from a wide area or grow so deeply to get enough water. If you want to try to transplant, cooler weather will give you the best chance. The smaller the plant, the better chance you will have. Be sure that it is watered until the plant begins to put out new foliage. Cuttings are better taken at the end of winter just as the weather begins to warm. The plant will genetically be ready to grow. For seeds use fresh seeds, sown on well drained soil. Dow on the surface, and just barely cover. Keep moist but not wet. Red calamint should be available for sale at Native Plant Company in Milton. They have a web site listing the availability of the plants.