Every garden has a surprise. If you're lucky, that surprise is a beautiful flower--like phlox--that has planted itself. In the garden world, they're called volunteers. Often what started as one plant years ago has spread all over the place.
There are many other flowers that will self-seed in the garden. Hollyhocks, well known for their old-fashioned appeal, will bolt up out of the garden to show off their big bold blooms. Some other volunteers include cosmos, Shasta daisies, larkspur, cleome, artemesia and forget-me-nots, just to name a few. They drop their seeds during the growing season and provide you with double-the-flower-power in no time.
While some people like spontaneity, others consider some plants weeds. They don't want them to take over the garden. The key is to hand weed. Keep them under control. And when you weed, make sure you get the entire root.
Another option is to dig up volunteers and pass them onto friends. When volunteers bloom, cut them back because if they set seed, surprises may come up all over the place.
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