Seeds

Perennial
3-6 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms September- October
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 90 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a an important native prairie habitat grass species, that is popular in restoration and ornamental applications. Little Bluestem forms blue-green clumps in the summer and in the fall it turns beautiful shades of red and copper, which remain throughout the winter. Little Bluestem has very high value for wildlife, its seed are eaten by songbirds and it is the host plant of several butterflies including the Dusted Skipper, Cobweb Skipper, Ottoe Skipper, Indian Skipper, Swarthy Skipper and Crossline Skipper.

For larger stands of Little Bluestem, sow at a density of 3.5-4 KG/acre or 1 KG/ 11,000 square feet.

Growing Instructions

No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at 1/4 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.

Perennial
4 feet tall
Full Sun to Partial Sun
Zones 3-9
Blooms June to July
Medium-Wet to Dry Site
Approx. 20 seeds per pack

White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba) has beautiful, pea-like blossoms on long spikes that bring a showy pop to any garden space. Popular with pollinators, bumblebees and caterpillars of butterflies feed on nectar and the foliage. A quick-growing plant, the new shoots can be mistaken for asparagus in the spring. Looks stunning around garden borders. Part of the legume family.

Growing Instructions:

Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.

OR

Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
1-3 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms July to August
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 120 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9

Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) is a low-maintenance and totally stellar grass for landscaping. It is short, clump-forming and easy to grow but does not readily self-seed in the garden. Prairie dropseed can be planted around walnuts as it is tolerant to juglone. Seeds provide a food source for birds and if the foliage is not cut back, it maintains its fountain shape throughout the winter. Native to much of central North America, this tallgrass and mixed prairie species is hardy from zones 3-9.

Growing Instructions

No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing. Since prairie dropseed is a warm season grass it needs soil temperatures that are at least 70°F (21C) to cue germination and germination may take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks. Prairie dropseed germination rates can be greatly improved by starting trays on a heat mat or sowing later into the spring for warmer soil temperatures.

Perennial
2′-3′ tall
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Blooms July to August
Dry to Medium Site
Zones 3-8
Approx. 200 seeds per pack, covers 30ft2

White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) is a beautiful clover to bring into your garden space, especially when mixed with its sister, Purple Prairie Clover. This plant will often grow in patches of 8-10 plants and can get up to three feet tall. Blooming from June through to September, this clover’s bright, white flowers start growing at the base of a cone-shaped flower, and continue to wrap upwards as the season progresses. This plant is part of the legume family, meaning it can fix nitrogen into the soil, improving growing conditions for other neighboring plants. This plant will keep pollinators and birds happy!

Growing Instructions

No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.

Perennial
1-3′ feet tall
Full to Part Sun
Blooms June to July
Medium to Moist Site
Approx. 80 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a hardy, easy to maintain native plant and does well in a variety of poor soil conditions, from sand to rock gardens. Its shallow roots make it a good option for planting on septic beds and it also transplants very well. The yellow and orange flowers are some of the first to come up in the spring and are popular with hummingbirds.

Growing Instructions

Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
1-2′ tall
Full Sun
Blooms July to August
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 125 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) is both beautiful and practical. The plant is very easy to grow, drought tolerant and grows well in a variety of soil conditions including rock gardens. A member of the clover family, purple prairie clover fixes nitrogen, hence enhancing the soil for other neighbouring plants. The unique bright purple flowers and the plants clump forming habit make for a beautiful addition to the garden.

Growing Instructions

No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at 1/4 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.

Perennial
3-8 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms August- September
Dry to Wet Site
Approx. 25 seeds per pack
Zones 4-8

Prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) is just as desirable for its foliage as it is for its flowers. The plant has huge fan-like basal leaves that are a nice addition to the garden throughout the year, then in late summer sends up clusters of bright yellow flowers on delicate stocks. The flowers are popular with bees and the seeds are eaten by finches and other songbirds. Note prairie dock can grow to be over 8 feet tall and requires adequate space.

Growing Instructions

Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
2-3 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms June to August
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 100 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9

Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) has a unique shape and is easy to grow from seed. The plant is a native of the Canadian Prairies but grows well in zones 3 to 10. Prairie coneflower’s deep taproot allows it to survive well in dry conditions. Flowers may exhibit yellow, red or mixed coloration.

Growing Instructions
No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at 1/4 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.

Perennial
3-5 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms June to July
Dry to Moist Site
Approx. 50 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) flowers are a unique dusty purple and emerge in early summer. It forms a deep taproot which allows for great drought tolerance, but it does not do well in undrained soil and resents being transplanted. It is a food source of the adult Ottoe Skipper butterfly, which is listed as endangered in Canada and threatened in the United States. There has been much debate over the years about whether Pale Purple Coneflower is historically native to Southern Ontario or not, as documented historical specimens are rate yet it can be found in bordering states and throughout much of the central United States. Most restoration practitioners consider it to be native or ‘near native’ to Ontario.

Growing Instructions

Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
3-6 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms September- October
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 175 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9

Maximilian’s Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) can grow anywhere from 3-10 feet tall and produces countless flowers throughout the late summer and fall. Maximilian’s sunflower is palatable to livestock and can be incorporated into grazing areas. This native produces a heavy crop of seed annually, which provides an important food source for birds and small mammals.

Growing Instructions

Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
1-3 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms July- August
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 80 seeds per pack
Zones 3-8

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) has a shrub forming habit and can grow up to 3 feet tall. Leadplant is native to the central parts of Canada and the U.S. and is hardy in zones 3-8. It is tolerant to a range of soil types and is happiest in full sun. Deep roots allow for drought tolerance and the ability to survive fires. Leadplant is also a member of the pea family, allowing it to fix Nitrogen, making it available to other neighbouring plants. Note, this long lived perennial may take up to 4 years to reach maturity and flower.

Growing Instructions

Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
1-2 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms June to August
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 30 seeds per package
Zones 3-9

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) are easy to grow, and do well in rocky, sandy or poor soil. We collected our original wild seed crop off the edges of a cliff! Lanceleaf Coreopsis plants grow into somewhat orderly looking clumps and deadheading will prolong flowering.

Growing Instructions

Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.

Perennial
2 feet tall
Full Sun to Part-Shade
Blooms June to September
Medium to Dry Site
Approx. 100 seeds per pack
Hardiness Zones 3-8

Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) is a gorgeous prairie native that is more compact and than its more popular relative Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata). Hoary vervain is the host plant of the Common Buckeye butterfly and its seeds are an important food source for small mammals and birds. While it self-seeds readily, hoary vervain does not compete well against more aggressive wildflower varieties and tall native grasses. Note, seeds are very small.

Growing Instructions

Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.