Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have yellow lilys growing in my yard  (SE Michigan) and they have seed pods opening up now. I've been collecting the little black seeds and want to get many plants growing for next year. We want to grow them along a long sidewalk out front before a Grad party next Spring. How do I go about this? Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Dave,
Thanx for your question.  It sounds like you're talking about possibly the Stella d'Oro day lily.  If you place the seeds inside a moist paper towel and then place this inside a plastic bag, placed inside the refrigerator for about 30 days, the seeds will germinate in about 10-20 days.  It will take two years before most of them begin blooming.  Very seldom will any bloom the first year.  After you have cold treated them in the fridge, take the seeds out of the plastic baggie and remove them from the paper towel.  Plant them about 1/4 inch deep in potting soil and keep it moist but not soggy.  The sprouts will look like grass.  Transplant to separte cells or pots when they are a couple inches tall and easy to move.  Plant outdoors after the last frost next spring but they will need to be acclimated first.  Place the seedlings in the shade for 10 days next season before planting in full sun.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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QUESTION: I have seeds from my peoney, never seen them before, how can I grow them too?

Answer
Hi Dave,
Thanx for the additional question.  Sometimes, if you'll avail yourself of our Search Function you can find some of these questions already answered and save yourself some time.  Anyway, I did answer this question although it was about tree peony seed which basically would have the same instructions.  Here they are.

1.  Harvest seed as soon as it is ripe.
2.  Plant in situ (in a spot out in the garden that you can protect from weeds and varmints) or plant in a pot of good potting soil and plant the black or dark brown seeds down about 1.5 inches deep.  Cover and keep moist.  They will not germinate until they have gone through a cold winter and sometimes it will take a year or more to germinate.  The thing is, they need a long period of cold temperatures.  The tree peony does not grow in zones warmer than zone 8.  You can also put the seed in a damp paper towel and place it inside of a plastic baggie and leave it in the refrigerator for 4-6 months.  Remove the seed and plant as described above.  
3.  When the seed germinates, it will only grow roots the first year and then go through the winter in a dormant state.  The next spring, new leaves will emerge from the soil.  Allow the seedling to grow where it is until it is a manageable size and then you can gently prick it out of the soil and plant in a separate pot.  
4.  It will take 4 or 5 years to produce a bloom after the seed has germinated so it could take a total of 6 or 7 years.  It's not something for someone who wants something quick but I can see the interest in growing these from seed.

I hope this helps.
Tom