• 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.

Click here for more information about Oxeye Sunflower.