4.6.2026
There are several types of flowers that are self-seeding or self-propagating. This can be super handy if you are looking for budget-friendly ways to continue to grow your garden or share your passion with others but can also become a nuisance if they get out of control. Here are some spreaders we have in our garden and how I tend to them.
Lilly of the Valley
This is a beautiful and fragrant spring perennial that is perfect for shady spots in your garden. It’s a short plant (6-12 inches) that blooms pink or white flowers, grows in zones 2-9, and can easily be propagated. The plant spreads quickly – I mean this thing is aggressive! Each spring, I dig some up and toss them in our green waste pile on the property. You can’t yank them out by the flower or foliage because the roots are super sturdy and remain, continuing to spread throughout your garden. Our Lilly of the Valley gives me something to look forward to after the long winter months, so I plan to keep it. Especially since the blooms last 3-4 weeks. If you are considering Lilly of the Valley, I’d recommend that you plant it on a shady hill that you don’t want to mow, put it into a container so you can keep it contained, or plan to cull it every spring to keep it manageable.
Rose Campion
This vibrant plant grows in zones 3-9 and self-seeds, although not as aggressively as Lilly of the Valley. It has soft, grey foliage and bright magenta flowers that have staying power (they can last 6+ weeks). Rose Campion flowers in summer with the stem and bloom rising above the foliage up to 3 feet, so it’s best to plant near the back of your garden. Rose Campion loves the sun, but you can plant it in areas that get a little shade. We’ve transplanted this plant in the spring and the fall, allowing us to add more to our existing flower gardens for free!
Columbine
This is another spreader that blooms in spring to summer in zones 3-9. The Columbine plant enjoys partial shade, but I’ve planted several in partial sun that have done just fine. My last plant is in full-sun and has propagated two more babies since last year when I first planted it! These hardy plants come in a variety of shades and varieties so if you are looking for a specific color or size, it just might fit the bill. They attract pollinators and their blooms typically last around 4 weeks.
Perennial plants that spread are nature’s way of giving you more beauty with less effort. Start small and observe how your spreaders grow and let your garden evolve – one season at a time.
What spreaders do you have in your garden? What advice would you give to others on how to keep them beautiful yet within your control?
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