Seeds - Native Flowers and Grasses

Globe Gilia - Soft blue flowers attract pollinators and butterflies. It is found from western Canada down to California. It prefers dry to slightly moist soils, Soil should be well-drained. These are used in gardens for cutflowers, pollinator plots, and wildflower plantings.  Plant this in your vegetables gardens to help bring the pollinators in.  Botanical Names: Gilia capitata Characteristics:  Annual, Self-seeding Plants grow to 2-3.5 feet tall Purple blooms It tolerates and grows in almost any soil except standing water.  1 gram or ~1500 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Simple rake anytime of the year the soil can be worked. You will get flowers that last for a few weeks.  Sow 1/8deep (needs light to germinate) Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

The Glorioso Daisy is a tetraploid cultivated Black-eyed Susan. Its vibrant reds and yellows are wonderful in your garden. The origin of this species is from the 1950's and was developed from the Black-eyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta, hence why it has the same botanical name. These are best described as self seeding annuals or biennial.  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 250 Seeds 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 - 4-6  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

High Mountain Native Grass Seed Mixture (Rocky Mountains) This grass mixture is for elevations between 8,200 and 12,000 feet in the mountainous regions of the Western U.S. Contains Blue Wildrye, Mountain Brome, Alpine Bluegrass, Idaho Fescue, Canby Bluegrass and Tufted Hairgrass. Can be combined with flower seeds to create a colorful meadow. Seeding Rates:  1lb will seed 3,600sq ft for grasses only 1lb will seed 7,200 when planted with flowers too 1 Acre with Grass Only - 12lbs per care 1 Acre with Flowers - 6lbs per acre 1 oz packets will do 225 sq ft of grass, 1 oz packets when planted with flowers it will do 450 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.  Sow 1/4" deep Germination 10-20 days

Hoary Vervain is a beautiful native that thrives in woodland edges, prairies with rich and loam or in most gardens.  Hoary Vervain is a perennial that reseeds itself as it is short-lived and lives for four or five years.  This is the host plant for the Common Buckeye Butterfly. 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 4-8. grows to 2-4'  Botanical name: Verbena Stricta Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 4 Plants grow to 4' tall Prefersmost and rich soils Blooms in July through September  Host plant for Common Buckeye Butterfly 1/2 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

Honey Bee Flower Seed Mixture The Honey Bee Seed mix is the result of many years of research on honey bee flower preferences in our test garden. It is a blend of adaptable, annual and perennial flowers that provide nectar and pollen to honey bees. These flowers provide nectar and pollen to honey bees all season long.  It is ideal for honey beekeepers and others interested in honey bee health.  This mix can be used in garden beds, borders, and other maintained areas. Flowers: Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Cape Forget-Me-Not (Anchusa capensis), China Aster (Callistephus chinensis), Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile), Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas), Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Purple Giant Hyssop (Agastache rugosa), Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), Scarlet Cinquefoil (Potentilla thurberi), S iberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii), Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Sweet Mignonette (Reseda odorata) Seeding Rates: 4 oz for 1,000sq ft 6-12 lbs per acre (depends on density of existing plantings) 1 Acre with Grass - 6 lbs per acre 1 Acre with Flowers - 12 lbs per acre 1 oz packets when planted with flowers it will do 250 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

Idaho Fescue Grass is a cool-season silvery blue native bunchgrass that grows to heights of 40" and has very fine blades of grass. There no rhizomes and reproduces from seed. It remains green all winter. It is found in the Rocky Mountain corridor and westwards and grows in elevations up 5,000 to 10,000 ft. It can also be found in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Animals depend on this grass for forage and cover throughout the year. Idaho Fescue has a very deep and wide root system and is great for erosion control, natural restoration, gardens and homes.  This is a very hardy perennial and easily survives down to USDA Zone 3.   Botanical Name: Festacua Idahoenis Characteristics:  Hardy to zone 3, perennial 36-40" in height Native grass 500 Seeds per packet, 1/2 gram, will cover 40 sq ft with no plants or 300  sq ft with other grasses, 1 oz will cover 2,000  sq ft, or 5,000 sq ft with other grasses.  Instructions - Seeds can also be directly sown into a weed-free seedbed at all times of the year soil can be worked.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Illinois Bundleflower -This flower has many names such as Prairie Mimosa, False Sensitive Plant and is found through out restored prairies.  It does have height and can grow up to 5' tall.  It has feathery white blossoms that remind you of a plant from a Dr. Seuss story. The Reakirt's Blue Butterfly relies on this flower as a host plant.  Botanical Names: Desmanthus illinoensis Characteristics:  Perennial Plants grow to 3-5 feet tall White feathery blooms Prefers dry soils.  1 gram or ~125 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Direct sow when the soil can be worked. If you can cold stratify the seed it will help increase your germination rates substantially.   Sow 1/4 deep Germination 8-17 days after cold stratifcation Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Indiangrass is a wonderful additional to any garden border where you need height and some drama. It can create backdrops and wind breaks for other plantings. Its giant golden seedheads provide beauty and will help feed wildlife all winter long. This is a very easy grass to get established and is beloved by birds, bees, insects, and mammals.  It is native in most of the US and can be found in 44 states, it is not found in WA, OR, ID, HI, and AK. This is a very hardy perennial and easily survives down to USDA Zone 3.  Sorghastrum nutans Characteristics:  Hardy to zone 3, perennial Does well in all soil types 5-7' in height with ornamenta seed heads.  Erosion control plantings, forage, prairie restoration Combine with Little Bluestem for a striking companion 1g or ~300 Seeds per packet, covers 10 sq ft, 1 oz of seed will cover 300 sq ft 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

Large-Flowered or Shell-Leaf Penstemon is a gem in the garden, wildlife plantings, forests and meadows. It's large pink flowers are showy and is a wildlife magnet. It is found in the central United States and can be growing USDA Climate Zones 3 to 8. It prefers dry well-drained soils and is commonly found in pollinator mixes.  Botanical Names: Penstemon grandiflorus  Characteristics:  Perennial Plants grow to 2-3 feet tall Showy Pink blooms Prefers well draining dry soils 1 gram or ~800 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Direct sow in fall or as soon as the ground is workable. It needs cold stratification to germinate. If you miss the window from nature to do this, simply mix the seeds with moist sand, place in a bag or container, and place in the refrigerator for 45 days.    Sow on top of soil as this needs light to germinate.  Germination 11-22 days after cold stratifcation Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Lavender Hyssop - A native commonly found in the north central United States. It prefers dry woodlands and prairies and readily adapts to garden environments without standing water.  The leaves are scented like licorice and it is often referred to Anise Hyssop because of this. Butterlfies and other pollinators will stay busy gathering pollen and nectar. It is used by a variety of beneficial insects as well. It is often used in boquets Botanical Name: Agastche foeniculum Characteristics:  Biennial/perennial that self seeds easily Hardy to zone 4 Plants grow up to 3 feet Purple flowers and leaves that smell of licorice .75g or 250 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds indoors just beneath surface of soil. Seeds can also be directly sown outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Does best in well-drained soil. Sow seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost Germination 30-90  days Plant 12" apart Full Sun to Partial Shade Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Leadplant - Plants like Leadplant are amazingly beneficial in your gardens and beds. It looks great, is functional by adding nitrogen back to your soil and is a pollinatore and butterfly magent while in blooms. If you are looking for natural solutions for nitrogen fixing, then this is a great option. The silvery leaves add a contrast color to your gardens. Its roots also go deeper than 12' making it ideal for drought situations and erosion control.  Botanical Names: Amorahpa canescens Characteristics:  Annual, Self-seeding Plants grow to 2-3.5 feet tall Purple blooms It tolerates and grows in almost any soil except standing water.  1 gram or ~350 Seeds per packet  Instructions - For increased germination, Leadplant seed should be stratified and scarified. Pour ~180 degrees F water over the seed, let it soak it overnight, and direct sowing it in the fall. If sowing in spring then mix the seed with sand sand and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 weeks, 6 is best. Soak it overnight and direct sow after the last frost. Alternatively, start the seed indoors, sow it just below the surface of a flat; keep the soil evenly moist and around 70 degrees F. Germination should take place within 20-30 days.  Sow 1/12 deep (need slight to germinate) Germination 20-30 days after cold stratifcation Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Little Bluestem is perhaps the most popular native grass in the USA.  It's beautiful blue-green foliage turns coppery red in the fall and provides wonderful winter interest. This is a must native plant for anyone who wants to encourage wildlife and beneficial insects as it provides tons of cover and forage. It was the most dominant of all the grasses 100 years ago across the United States and of course Canada.  The only states it is not native to is California, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. This can be used for forage but if hayed, it does need to go to rest every few years or it will die off.  This is a very hardy perennial and easily survives down to USDA Zone 3.  Schizachyrium scoparium Characteristics:  Hardy to zone 3, perennial 2-3 foot tall clumps Blue-Green foliage turns copper-red in the fall Erosion control plantings 250 Seeds per packet  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

The Seed Savers Exchange - Lupine’s dense spires of bright blue flowers signal the coming of spring. Lupine is the only food plant for the larvae of the endangered Karner Blue butterfly. Plants grow 2' tall on sandy loams to very dry sandy soils. Will not grow well in clay soils. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4. Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 4 Plants grow to 2 feet tall Spires of bright blue flowers Prefers sandy loam to dry sandy soil 25 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Germination is greatly increased by a 7-day cold treatment in a slightly damp paper towel in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Cold-treated seeds can be directly sown in spring or early summer. Untreated seeds can be sown outdoors in fall.   Sow 1/4" deep Germination 14-60 days Thin 12-15" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability

Monarch Butterfly Seed Flower Mixture Monarch populations have been in decline for a number of years, and the loss of nectar sources and milkweeds has been indicated as a major contributor to these declines.  This mixture is composed of native wildflowers, garden flowers and milkweeds which supply nectar sources for adult monarchs.  Milkweeds are utilized for egg-laying and provide food to monarch caterpillars.  This mixture is appropriate for home gardens, commercial landscaping, golf courses and other maintained sites. Add some native grasses to and you have a great all around mix! Little Bluestem is great as it is native to all 48 US states. Or just keep it strictly to 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 butterlfies 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: 8 oz for 1,000sq ft 12-24 lbs per acre (depends on density of existing plantings) 1 Acre with Grass - 12  lbs per acre 1 Acre for just Flowers - 24 lbs per acre 1 oz packets when planted with flowers it will do 155 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