Seeds

Perennial
1-3 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms July to September
Dry to Medium Site
Approx. 50 seeds per pack
Zones 3-10

Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) is a great wildflower for new gardeners. It is easy to grow from seed, requires little maintenance once established, is drought tolerant and thrives in poor soil. This wildflower is native to Western portions of Canada and the United States where it is found in dry prairie habitats. Blanketflower has a long bloom period and attracts butterflies.

Growing Instructions

No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.

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
2-5 feet tall
Full Sun
Blooms August to October
Dry to Medium Site
Appox. 45 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9

Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) adds so much character to the garden! It belongs to the same family as celery and carrots and the stem has a carrot like fragrance when crushed. Rattlesnake master is native to the Central United States, but is hardy up to zone 3 and its range is projected to expand North as a result of climate change.

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
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
4 feet tall
Full Sun to Part-Shade
Blooms August to October
Dry to Medium Site
Zones 3-9
Approx. 325 seeds per pack

Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) has leaves that are smooth to the touch, distinguishing it from most other Aster varieties. The stem also often takes on a shade of blue. This is a non-aggressive plant that is slow to spread so it is a nice one to have in the garden with companions. The beautiful purple-blue flowers attract many different pollinators and the plant is host for the Silvery Checkerspot and Pearl Crescent Butterflies.

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 Sun to Part Shade
Blooms May to July
Dry to Moist Site
Approx. 75 seeds per pack, covers 20ft2
Zones 3-8

Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana) is a great spring plant with delicate white and yellow flowers. After flowering the seed heads add a lot of personality to the garden, they resemble elongated thimbles that persist into the winter.

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 to Part Shade
Zones 2-6
Blooms June to August
Medium to Moist Site
Approx. 200 seeds per pack

Wild Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) has edible berries that burst with their signature sweet flavour and ripen from June to August depending on your region. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, these berries are definitely a must-have for your garden (or forest garden) if your conditions are right. Blueberries do best in acidic soils with the optimum soil pH being 4.5 to 5.0, but plants usually do fine a little above or below this range. If pH is above 5.5, leaves become chlorotic and plants lose vigor. Very acidic soils (pH < 4.0) can also reduce growth, particularly those with significant amounts of clay. These plants will benefit from the addition of compost, leaf litter, and pine needles. Note that it may take 3 years for the plants to produce fruit. 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 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
2-5 feet tall
Full Sun to Part Shade
Blooms August to September
Medium to Wet Site
Approx. 75 seeds per pack
Zones 3-9

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), like all milkweeds is a host plant to the monarch butterfly, but has the advantage of being less toxic than it’s more popular cousin Common Milkweed. Swamp milkweed thrives in moist sites and is an important species for wetland restoration. It is easy to grow from seed, will thrive in wet clay-rich soil and its brilliant pink flowers are loved by bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.

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.