Overlooked Hardy Perennials

Tiger Lilies are the easiest of all lilies and probably of all bulbs to care for. They are dependable bloomers year after year. You will be rewarded with dozens of downward facing blooms on each stem. Our Yellow Bruse' Tiger Lily is great in all environments - They are super hardy from Zone 1 and thrive all the way to Zone 9.  Our bulbs are 5” in circumference ( 14-16 cm) which makes them some of the biggest available.  USDA Zones 1-9 Mid-Summer flowering  Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun to Partial Shade Bloom Color: Yellow Additional Information Great for Naturalizing, Mass Planting, Borders, Hummingbirds & Cut Gardens.  40-60” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun to partial shade, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6" apart. Well drained soil is essential.  Shipping Information  We start shipping in March and we wrap up by early May unless we run out which we typically sell 90% of our stock as pre-orders. 

Perhaps the most wondrous sight in any prairie is a mass planting of Prairie Blazingstar. They are resilient, pollinator magnets, provide cover for birds, insects of all types and grow deep roots.  They can reach 4’ tall and are hardy to USDA Zone 4. These perennials are a crowd please in a natural setting or a garden border. They are excellent cut flowers and excel in dried arrangements.  There are several different Liatris and all can play an important part in any ecosystem. Characteristics:  Perennial and hardy to zone 4 Plants grow to 3-4 feet tall Spikes of purple-magenta flowers Excellent for dried and cut flower arrangements 150 seeds per packet  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.  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 Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Prairie Ironweed really doesn't deserve weed in its name. It is a stalwart of planting in tough places like clay, loves moist and damp soils and will do well even in gardens with great loam.  It is beautiful for mass plantings and can be used for cut flowers. It develops really deep roots that help erosion and filter water. Despite the number of seeds it produces, it doesn't spread agressively and typically you need to be a bit more intentional with planting.  This is a must for any butterfly, pollinator or wildlife garden as it attracts numerous amounts of butterflies and is the host plant for the American Painted Lady.  It's native range is the Midwest, but due to its non-aggressive nature ithas been introduced in gardens and restoration projects across much of the eastern half of the United States.  Most gardeners will divide this to increase its numbers or collect seed to moist stratify.  Botanical Names: Veronia fasciculata USDA Zones 3-7, some success to zones 9 Mid-Summer flowering  6' stalks, you can cut in late spring for shorter plants Bloom Duration: All Summer Cold Hardy Full Sun (some partial sun is ok) 1 packet will cover 25 sq ft, 1 oz covers 1,000 ft Bloom Color: Purple Key Planting Tips 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - This stunning bicolor perennial bears deeply lobed, dark-green leaves and, in summer, double lavender flowers with blue outer petals. Its showy flower spikes make it a popular choice for cottage-style gardens and cutting gardens. Plants grow to 5' and should be staked their first year. Note: Entire plant is poisonous. Characteristics:  Open-Pollinated Double-lavender flowers with blue outer petals Plants grow to 5 feet tall Perfect for cottage-style or cutting gardens New for 2021 Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors one week before last frost. Give space to allow airflow, and grow in rich moist soil. Stake tall plants. Direct Seed 1/8" Deep Germination 10-14 days Thin 18-36" Apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability

Spotted Joe Pye Weed is a one often preferred for gardnes that its relative, Joe Pye Weed, as it is half the size coming up 4-6'.  It loves the moist to wet soils inlcuding clay, loam or sand.  It is one again that is underserving of weed in its name as its not aggressvie in seeding out. It does grow into large clumps that are able to be divided depsite the deep roots it sends out.  This is a must for any butterfly, pollinator or wildlife garden as it attracts numerous amounts of butteflies, bees and pollinators. Bumblebees will use this for cover so if you are workign on helping rare bumblee species, this is a good plant that should be part of your plan.  It's native range is the Midwest, but due to its non-aggressive nature it has been introduced in gardens and restoration projects across much of the the United States.  Most gardeners will divide this to increase its numbers or collect seed to moist stratify.  Botanical Names: Eutrochium maculatum USDA Zones 3-7, some success to zones 8 Mid-Summer flowering  6' stalks  Bloom Duration: All Summer Cold Hardy Full Sun (some partial sun is ok) 1 packet will cover 50 sq ft, 1/2 oz covers  1000 ft Bloom Color: Red-Pink Key Planting Tips 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 to partial sun