Seeds - Native Flowers and Grasses

The Seed Savers Exchange - Splendid 4-5" mauve-colored flowers bloom from papery, straw-colored buds that resemble woven baskets. Their sweet, honey-like fragrance draws bees and butterflies to gardens, borders, meadows, and wherever else these unique flowers are sown. Basketflowers stand out in arrangements, whether fresh-cut or dry, and dry well in bud, flower, or spent-flower stage. Characteristics:  Conventional Annual plants grow to 4 foot tall, selfs so profusely 4-5 inch flowers bloom from papery, basket-like buds Can be used as a fresh-cut or dry flower Attracts butterflies and bees 50 Seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when light frost is still possible. Plants prefer average soil and tolerates dry conditions. Will self-sow profusely. Remove spent blossoms regularly to prolong blooming. Sow 1/4" deep Germination 10-20 days Thin 18-24" apart Light - Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Arroyo Lupine is a California native that is found from Southern California to just north of San Franciso. It is an annual blooms the first year from seed. Pair with yellow lupine for lovely contrasting native blooms. Itis reseeds itself for blooms the following year. Hummingbirds and butterflies love this plant.  Gardeners love the east drough tolerant nature of this plant. Simply harvest to sow seeds where you'd like each year.  Botanical Names: Lupinus succulentus Characteristics:  Annual, self-seeding Plants grow to 2-4 feet tall Vibrant pastels of purple blooms Prefers full sun, rich loam is best that drains well 1 gram or ~32 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow directly in garden in early spring. No cold stratification is needed as Arroyo lupine is an annual.   Sow 1/4" deep Germination 14-25 days Thin 12-15" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Big Bluestem is a giant of the prairies! It’s what was the backbone of much of the prairies. It’s vital for native wildlife. It is native from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Its nickname is Turkey Foot as the seeds can look like a turkey’s foot.  Lush green 3-8' plants change color at first frost to red and copper tones that provides winter interests. Grows well in all soil types, just not standing water. Hardy to zone 3. Characteristics:  Perennial, hardy to zone 3 Heigh is to 3-8 feet Winter Interest Changes color after frost to red-copper Thrives in almost any soil types and drought tolerant Warm-season grass 250 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in a warm area (70-85°F). Transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Seeds can also be directly sown into a weed-free seedbed in late April-June. Tolerates most moisture levels and withstands drought. Alternatively Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost.   Sow 1/2" deep Germination 14-20d days Thin 24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

We offer this fabulous U.S. Native in various ways.  Best known of all the prairie flowers and the easiest to grow. A single plant can produce hundreds of blooms over the summer and into the fall. Excellent cut flower with 6-10 days of vase life. Plants grow 2-3'. Self-seeding biennial or hardy annual. Hardy to zone 3. Rudebckia Hirta is its common name and you will find the Glorioso Daisy that also has the same name. We also offer this in bulk quantities or with packets that are a bit more modest in nature.  Characteristics:  Self-seeding biennial or hardy annual Hardy to zone 3 Plants grow to 2-3 feet An excellent cut flower that lasts 6-10 days in a vase Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors just before last frost. Can also be started indoors and set out as small plants.  Plant in poor soil as rich soil will weaken stems.   Alternatively Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost.   Sow 1/2" deep Germination 10-20days Thin 18-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

A U.S. native that resides from the Mississippi eastwards to the Atlantic Liatris Spicata goes by Marsh Blazingstar as it prefers wet or rich garden soils. This is the most commonly seen native in gardens as its dense flowers and rich in nector and pollen. We offer it in seed year round or corms in the spring. Corms will allow you to see flowers the first year while seed will take 2-3 years to flower.  Blazing Star or Liatris Spicata will bloom all summer, provide food for butterflies, perform great in dry conditions, and naturalize well in sunny to partial sunny areas. The blooms are great in arrangements and the plant is ignored by rodents, rabbits, and deer. This plant will work hard for you without having to work hard for it. A must have in every garden. Blazing star is a family of natives that you will find in a large area of the U.S prairies, meadows, forest edges and grasslands. The species 'Spicata' is a great nectar and pollen source.  USDA Zones 4-9  Mid-Summer flowering  Bloom Duration: All Summer Cold Hardy Full Sun (some partial sun is ok) Bloom Color: Purple Additional Information Great for Naturalizing, Mass Planting, Borders, or Cut Gardens 29-36” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun to partial shade, 2-3" inches deep with the roots pointing down (sometimes you have to look carefully to find them). Space each bulb 12" apart and plant in the drier parts of your garden.  Instructions: Germination is increased by a 30- day cold treatment in slightly damp paper towels in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Seed can also be directly sown into a prepared seedbed in fall, or in early- to mid-spring. Requires a rich loam, clay, or slightly moist sandy soil. Alternatively Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before planting out or direct sow after treating the seeds or in early spring or late fall Germination: 20-25 Days Plant Outdoors: 2-3' Apart Light: Full Sun

Blue Grama Grass is a warm-season native bunchgrass that can be found in the central, southwest. It has expanded its natural range to both coasts but is not found in the Pacific Northwest. You can find this in prairies, open forests, along roads, and plains. The seed head turns a beautiful honey gold brown.  Its seeds look like soldiers in a row as they hand from the stem. It is a dominant species in our short grass prairies. it is used commonly in xeriscaping due to its ability to survive on low amounts of water. Plant in full sun and well-drained soils. Recommended for prairie plantings, xeriscape gardens and lawns and as a component of wildlife forage mixes. This is a very hardy perennial and easily survives down to USDA Zone 3.   Botanical Name: Bouteloua gracilis Characteristics:  Hardy to zone 3, perennial 2-3 in height Winter interest Native ornamental 800 Seeds per packet, 1/2 gram, will cover 10 sq ft with no plants or 100 sq ft with other grasses, 1 oz will cover 500 sq ft, or 5,000 sq ft with other grasses.  Instructions - Seeds can also be directly sown into a weed-free seedbed in May or June as they germinate in warm weather. You can seed earlier or later, but do make sure it is with the companions or oats to provide cover and prevent weeds from growing. Prefers sand and loam.  Alternatively Start Indoors late winter to early spring Sow 1/2" deep Germination 14-20 days Thin 24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Blue Vervain is a wonderful native that thrives in moist settings, woodland edges, prairies with rich and moist loam or in most gardens. It is often used in rain gardens, retention areas, waterland restorations, banks of streams, creeks or ponds. Blue Vervain is a bienniel that easily reseeds every year.  It is a medicinial sought after by herbalists. Wildlife such as birds, butterflies and bees are attracted to it while deer do not bother it much. It is native to much of the United States.  USDA Zones 3-8. grows to 2-4'  Botanical name: Verbena Hostata Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 3 Plants grow to 4' tall Prefersmost and rich soils Blooms in July through September  1/4 gram, ~500 eeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats 1/4" deep, moisten the soil, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 30 days. Thereafter, provide light and 50-75°F. This moist stratification is not absolutely necessary but will help to increase germination.  Alternatively sow before frosts end in late winter or early spring, or sow in late fall.   Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Buffalo Grass - is a warm-season grass and is a dominant specieis of shortgrass prairies of the Great Plains and Midwest and is native throughout most of the United States. It is very drought tolerant and is ideal in garden landscapes, prairie restoration, xeriscaing and range mixes as its a forage for White-tailed Deer, Bison, and Prairie Dogs. Domesticated animals will also use it for forage. This is the larval host for the Green Skipper Butterfly. Edging should be used in areas in where it is not wanted as it is stoloniferous in nature.  In winter it does go dormant and will turn brown but by late spring into summer it will remain green even in the driest conditions. It is as home in the south as it is in the north.  This is a very hardy perennial and easily survives down to USDA Zone 3.  Buchloe dactyloide Characteristics:  Hardy to zone 3, perennial 2-3 foot tall clumps Blue-Green foliage turns copper-red in the fall Erosion control plantings 55 Seeds per packet, .5 grams will cover 5 sq ft densely, 1 oz will cover 250 sq ft densely.  Instructions -Seeds can also be directly sown into a weed-free seedbed in May or June as they germinate in warm weather. You can seed earlier or later, but do make sure it is with the compansions or oats to provide cover and prevent weeds from growing.  Not recommended for heavy clay.  Alternatively Start Indoors late winter to early spring Sow 1/2" deep Germination 14-20 days Thin 24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Bumblee Buffet Seed Mixture Our Bumblebee Buffet Mixture was designed for home garden use and is composed of flowers that are attractive to many species of bumble bees. The assortment of flowers in the mix is based upon research done in trial gardens over the last decade. The mix contains both annuals and perennials and consists of adaptable, native species as well as an attractive assortment of garden flowers. Flowers: White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida), Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus), Balsam 'Camellia Flowered Mix' (Impatiens balsamina), Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea), Dwarf Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), Gayfeather (Liatris spicata), Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), Rocket Larkspur (Delphinium consolida), Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus), Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), Spurred Snapdragon (Linaria maroccana), Yellow Lupine (Lupinus microcarpus densiflorus), Zinnia 'Dahlia Flowered Mix' (Zinnia elegans) Seeding Rates: 7 oz for 1,000sq ft 9-18lbs per acre (depends on density of existing plantings) 1 Acre with Grass - 9 lbs per acre 1 Acre with Flowers - 18 lbs per acre 1 oz packets when planted with flowers it will do 130 sq ft Instructions - Sow seeds anytime: fall before winter sets in, spring or summer.  The area should be worked to either be free of all plants or prepared to allow seed contact to soil when planting in existing beds. Some grasses will germinate in the cool weather, while others will remain dormant until the is warms.  Sow 1/4" deep Germination 10-20 days

Butterfly Seed Flower Mixture The Butterfly Mixture contains annual and perennial flowers that will provide nectar to many species of butterflies, including brushfoots, monarchs, skippers, sulphurs and swallowtails. Nine species of plants in this mix are larval host plants which provide food for many species of butterfly and skipper larvae. Add some native grasses to and you have a great all aorund mix! Little Bluestem is great as it is native to all 48 US states. Or just keep it strictly flowers. This mix is ideal for all parts of the United States as it has a wide range of native plants that aren't harmful for butterflies on their migration paths.  If you want to improve this mix for you regions, please add packets or bulk seed of specific natives.  For example, if on the west coast please add Narrowleaf Milkweed. If east of the Rocky Mountains, please add Common or Red Milkweed.  Flowers: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Candytuft (Iberis umbellata), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), Dwarf Godetia (Clarkia amoena), Gayfeather (Liatris spicata), Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), Roundheaded Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata), Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), Sweet William Pinks (Dianthus barbatus), Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) Seeding Rates: 7 oz for 1,000sq ft 10-20 lbs per acre (depends on density of existing plantings) 1 Acre with Grass - 10  lbs per acre 1 Acre for just Flowers - 20 lbs per acre 1 oz packets when planted with flowers it will do 175 sq ft Instructions - Sow seeds anytime: fall before winter sets in, spring or summer.  The area should be worked to either be free of all plants or prepared to allow seed contact to soil when planting in existing beds. Some grasses will germinate in the cool weather, while others will remain dormant until the is warms.  Sow 1/4" deep Germination 10-20 days

The Seed Savers Exchange -  From midsummer until early fall, beautiful bright-orange flowers cover butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa). This North American native attracts bees, hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies and is an essential host plant for Monarch butterflies. Blooms reliably from seed the first year, if sown early. Plants will reach 2-3' tall and grow well in dry, sandy soil and in well-drained loams. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4. Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 4 Plants grow to 2-3 feet Bright orange flowers in summer and fall Pollinator-friendly; extremely attractive to bees, hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies 50 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath the surface of the soil in pots. Germination will occur with no treatment but benefits from cold stratification. Place pots in plastic bags and refrigerate for three weeks. Remove plastic and provide light and 50-75°F thereafter. Do not overwater. Transplant outdoors when light frost is still possible. Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost Sow 1/4" deep Germination 10-40 days Plant 12-24" apart Light: Partial Sun to Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

A stunning native in your wilflower gardens and deserves a place in even more refined garden spaces. Plant this beauty along your driveway to see endless blooms every time you come home.  Its native range is the central US to the south central regions down to Texas. It excels in xeriscapes, dry prairies, along roadsides and in general problem areas. It can create beautiful backdrops for you gardens as well as being the spotlight if you choose. It blooms continously all summer!  We also offer this in bulk quantities or with packets that are a bit more modest in nature.  Botanical Name: Rudbeckia amplexicaulis Characteristics:  Short-lived perennial that reseeds easily Award winning native as it creates dense blooms and will keep blooming when deadheaded Hardy to zone 3 Plants grow to18-30 inches tall Coverage: 1 Packet will cover 50 sq ft densely 1 oz will cover 1,000 sq ft when planted by itself, 2,500 sq ft when planted in existing beds.  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors just before last frost. Can also be started indoors and set out as small plants.  Plant in poor soil as rich soil will weaken stems.   Alternatively Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost.   Sow 1/2" deep Germination 10-20days Thin 18-24" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Native to the eastern half of the U.S. where it thrives in most any-well drained soil, this familiar milkweed species, also known as butterfly flower, produces clusters of stunning, sweetly scented, nectar-rich flowers in shades of pink on 3-4’ plants. Monarch butterflies depend on milkweed plants for forage and to lay their eggs, making this a natural choice for habitat gardens or any border where butterflies are enjoyed. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4.  Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 4 Plants grow to 3-4 feet tall Preferred food source of Monarch butterflies 50 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors in flats 1/4" deep, moisten the soil, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 10 days. Thereafter, provide light and 50-75°F. This moist stratification is not absolutely necessary but will help to increase germination.  Start Indoors: 8-10 weeks before planting out Germination: 10-15 Days Plant Outdoors: 12-24” Apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Eastern Pollinator Seed Mixture The Eastern Pollinator Mixture is for pollinator conservation in the eastern United States and southeast Canada. The western planting boundary would be a line straight south from the eastern borders of North and South Dakota. It contains a balanced blend of native annuals and perennials that provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season.  If you have specific mix requirements for pollinator conservation projects, please contact us regarding a custom mix for your area. Flowers: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis), Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus), Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Lavender Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense), Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata) Seeding Rates: 5 oz for 1,000sq ft 7-14lbs per acre (depends on density of existing plantings) 1 Acre with Grass - 7 lbs per acre 1 Acre - 14 lbs per acre 1 oz will seed 200 sq ft Instructions - Sow seeds anytime: fall before winter sets in, spring or summer.  The area should be worked to either be free of all plants or prepared to allow seed contact to soil when planting in existing beds. Some seeds will germinate in the cool weather, while others will remain dormant until weather warms.  Sow 1/4" deep Germination 10-20 days

Firefly Farm & Mercantile - Eastern Red Columbine is native to the central and eastern Untied States. It is a late spring to early summer flowering perennial. Bees and other polliantors rely on these woodland species for valuable nectar and pollen. This is very abundant at Firefly Farm & Mercantile. You would see this along our Wild Flower Trail in mid May to mid June typically.  They are 10-18” tall and will casually reseed to keep an abundance of blooms going for years to come. The flowers face downwards and have longer spurs that form the classic combine curl.  The self-sowing variety prefers even moisture and grows best in full sun to partial shade, ideally with afternoon shade in hot climates. Perennial. Botanical name: Aquilegia canadensis Perennial Full sun to partial shade is optimal Instructions: Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost. Columbine prefers well-drained average soil. Water regularly, keeping leaves dry. Remove spent blossoms frequently to prolong blooming. Start Indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination: 3-4 weeks Plant Outdoors: 8-10” Apart Light: Full Sun