What is it?
The Wardsville Woods Community Wildflower Garden is a community garden where you can collect seed from native wildflowers to plant in your own garden. You’ll find a variety of wildflowers native to Skunk’s Misery grown from seeds that were collected locally and responsibly.
How do I use it?
Collect seeds from your favourite wildflowers by following instructions below.
Why plant native wildflowers?
- They are just as beautiful as exotic species
- They support the needs of local wildlife
- They won't impact natural areas if they escape from the garden
- They often require less care than exotic species
- They require less water than exotic species
- They don't require chemical pesticides and have natural defenses to local pests
Butterfly Weed
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds in the fall when the pods are hard and break easily.
- Separate the seed from the coma by putting them into a bag and shaking vigorously.
- Keep seeds dry and at room temperature until you are ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Cover seeds with soil but no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Click here for more information about Butterfly Weed.
Indian Grass
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds mid-September to October.
- Scrape off seeds with fingernails.
- Keep seed dry and at room temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil no deeper than 1/4 inch.
Click here for more information about Indian Grass.
Common Milkweed
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds in the fall when the pods are hard and break easily.
- Separate the seed from the coma by putting them into a bag and shaking vigorously.
- Keep seeds dry and at room temperature until you are ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Cover seeds with soil but no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Click here for more information about Common Milkweed.
Grey-headed Coneflower
Collecting your seeds:
- Cut the flower heads off in the fall after they become brittle.
- Break open the seed head, collecting the seeds as they fall, allow seeds to dry.
- Keep seeds dry and at ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil, no deeper than a 1/4 inch.
Click here for more information about Grey-headed Coneflower.
Virginia Mountain Mint
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds toward the end of October.
- Place seeds in a paper bag and allow to dry.
- Keep seeds dry at ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds can be planted at any time but planting in the spring or fall is preferred.
- Cover seeds in soil but no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Click here for more information about Virginia Mountain Mint.
Cylindrical Blazing Star
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds in the fall when the stalks have turned brown.
- Collect the stalks and allow to dry.
- Place dried stalks in a bad and shake to separate seeds.
- Keep seeds dry and at ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil, no deeper than 1/4 inch.
Click here for more information about Cylindrical Blazing Star.
Grey Goldenrod
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds in the fall when the flower turns white.
- Remove the flower head and allow to dry.
- Rub seeds through a screen to separate the seed from the culm.
- Keep seeds dry and ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil, no deeper than a 1/4 inch.
Click here for more information about Grey Goldenrod.
Brown-eyed Susan
Collecting your seeds:
- Harvest seeds in the fall, 3-4 weeks after the flower has bloomed.
- Remove the seed heads and place in a bag.
- Vigorously shake the seed heads to dislodge the seeds.
- Remove plant debris and store.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil, no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Click here for more information about Brown-eyed Susan.
Foxglove Beardtongue
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect brown pods in the fall and allow to dry.
- Break open pods to collect seeds, which are small and resemble ground black pepper.
- Keep seeds dry and store at an ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Cover seeds with soil but no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Click here for more information about Foxglove Beardtongue.
Little Bluestem
Collecting your seeds:
- Run your hand along the stem to collect seeds in the fall.
- Dry the seeds upon collecting.
- Keep seed dry and at room temperature until you are ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds are best planted in a weed-free bed in the late fall.
- Cover seeds with soil but no deeper than 1.5 inches.
Click here for more information about Little Bluestem.
Tall Sunflower
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds in the fall when the seed heads are completely dry.
- Remove seeds from the head by simply picking them off the head and removing the hard outer shell.
- Keep seeds dry and at ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil no deeper than 1/4 inch.
Click here for more information about Tall Sunflower.
Oxeye Sunflower
Collecting your seeds:
- Collect seeds in the fall when the seed heads are completely dry.
- Remove seeds from the head by simply picking them off the head and removing the hard outer shell.
- Keep seeds dry and at ambient temperature until ready to plant.
Planting your seeds:
- Seeds require cold moist stratification so they are best planted in the fall.
- Plant in bare soil, no deeper than a 1/4 inch.