I never did.

You can tell when the seed pods are about ripe. They get really big, and one end of the football-shaped pod starts to elongate. You'll see the shape change just a little. Enclose in your hand and give a gentle squeeze. If it's ripe, it will POP, so make sure you have it enclosed in your fist. Check them. If they're dark brown-black, they're mature. If they're green, discard. It's not hard when you get the hang of it.

I already yanked and trashed all of mine. They get pretty ratty looking after a hot summer. I give them time to drop a few seeds naturally, then I toss them.

Karen

great.. thanks!!!.. I see some pods starting to form on the one so far

Wow, that's late.

Karen

yeah it took forever to flower

You could scatter the seed now. Volunteers would probably be earlier next year.

Karen

will do that .. thanks!

I get volunteers every year, too. My original seeds came from a neighbor back when we lived in Chicago--it's probably been 30 years that we've had plants that keep coming back from those original seeds. The neighbor that originally gave them to my mom was Joe...for years, we just called them "Joe's flowers" without knowing what they were. Mine are all pink, they bloom late in the season, and I still call them "Joe's flowers" even though I've long known their proper name.

love that