Hello Gotgordy and others-
I misplaced this forum over the years since first posting, but succeeded in resurrecting it because although I've many versions of Lady Lee in my back and front yards now, I'm sure they and the standards are diluting seeding. Not long ago I discovered the original in our back yard apparently has survived the years, hidden by overgrown Shasta Daisies, Hostas, and other vigorous plants that have taken over that spot. The original is obviously not as vigorous, having the sun robbed from it by the others. Today I yanked out the offending daisy that has vigorously spread, leaving only a hint of it that has roots too dangerously close to the Lady Lee to try pulling out.
I don't really know how to propagate it from cuttings. I did save seeds from it a few years ago, but they may no longer be viable. There are two large blooms on it, seen after clearing out the strangling daisy, and they are aging fast. I'll try to save their seeds, but am afraid nearby Susans may have pollinated them. Those Susans are a mix of standard and half-Lady Lee, judging by the degree of petal twist on them.
I'd appreciate any help and advice toward my trying to preserve the original and its DNA. I'm not that interested in "selling" the flower, and a seed company may want to patent it. I'm more interested in it retaining the Lady Lee moniker in honor of my long-suffering wife. We are both getting older and pretty "banged up"; my wife no longer does significant gardening - it's all up to me. I'm reluctant to mess with the plant too much, given it's less than optimum condition and the recent and current spate of hot weather here in the Northwest.
I might try putting some sort of netting over the younger blooms in the photo, to keep bees from pollinating them, and then try transferring pollen amongst them by hand... if I can figure out the timing. They may have already been visited by bees.
