Flower, Native Wildflower and Grass mix

Description
This native wildflower and native grass mixture is designed for gardens in central and eastern Canada, from zones 3 to 5, providing an array of benefits for pollinators and local wildlife. Featuring a balanced mix of wildflowers and native grasses, this blend will do well in full sun and a wide array of soil type. It includes species that bloom from early spring to frost, ensuring continuous nectar availability for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance and contributes to biodiversity and ecological resilience. One packet includes 18g, suitable for 150 square feet (14 square meters). 

Growing recommendations
This mix is suited for both spring and fall sowing, with fall being the preferred time for most of the species. For fall sowing, apply after mid-October, but before snow cover to allow seeds to overwinter. If sowing in spring, a period of cold stratification may be required for optimal germination. Cold stratification is the process of exposing seeds to a moist, cold environment for a specific period to mimic natural winter conditions and stimulate germination. For best results, seed in early spring (over a light layer of snow is ok, so long as the melt doesn’t runoff with the seed). 

Native and perennial plants take longer to establish than cultivated species - to help the plants get established, prepare the soil by removing existing vegetation and lightly working the soil to prevent compaction. Prairie flowers and grasses establish themselves more effectively when planted in loose, well-drained soil rather than compacted ground. Broadcast the seed evenly across the area, ensuring good soil contact but leaving the seeds exposed to light. To improve distribution, the seeds can be first bulked up with dry sand or soil before broadcasting. Natural processes like rain, snow, and frost will gently settle the seeds into the soil, encouraging successful germination. Water the area regularly during the first two weeks after spring sowing until the seedlings are established. For fall sowing, watering is typically not necessary. 

During the first year, mow the site to a height of 15 cm once or twice to manage aggressive weeds while native plants establish themselves. In the second year, an additional mowing may be needed. Spot removal of persistent weeds by hand could also be necessary. A little bit of attention in the first two to four years will go a long way toward establishing your area of native wildflowers and grasses. 

Species in the mix

• Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

• Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

• New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

• White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

• Side Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

• Anise-hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)