A from….

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Arisaema ciliatum var. liubaense
Arisaema cf. amurense Silver leaf form (explanation about this offering on the product page)

and Asclepias exaltata

recently added to the inventory.

The Arisaema sp. germinate at room temp., so there is no hurry for them, but Asclepias exaltata will benefit from a healthy period of cold/moist stratification (like many other species). This is the perfect time to start the fall sowings (ie. sow, water and leave the pots outdoors throughout the winter).

Unfortunately Allium psedojaponicum didn’t make the short list, the seeds are still drying in a paper bag – coming soon. For other species recently posted, check out the Seed List.

Keep on sowing!

Arisaema ciliatum var. liubaense 2019

Arisaema cf. amurense Silver Leaf form

Asclepias exaltata

Asclepias exaltata seeds

*A reminder that the remaining moist packed seeds will not be available if/when the temperatures start plunging sharply in late November/December.

Doodling with Dioscorea capsules

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I blame the lack of sun for doodling with Dioscorea caucasica capsules recently (they were collected after a rainy day, otherwise when completely dry, they break easily).

‘Butterflies’ of Dioscorea caucasica capsules; notice the seeds still present in the top ones.  Each wing of the capsule contains 2 (or 1) seeds.

Dioscorea caucasica has established happily in the garden and is easy to germinate and grow.
Same goes for our only native species: Dioscorea villosa, which would happily climb on a tree trunk, dead or alive in a sun to part shade location.  Both species are in need of conservation and ‘propagation means conservation’ is our slogan.

Dioscorea caucasica

Dioscorea villosa

After successfully growing D. caucasica, I can say that it is an easy to grow species. Sow the seeds in late fall outdoors, be patient, they will germinate quite late in the spring, but after that they will grow vigorously and you can plant the whole sowing pot by fall (or in the next spring) in the desired location. Good luck will make it to obtain both female and male plants in your little clump (the flowers are really insignificant, but the capsules are quite decorative).

It has rain quite a lot lately and I will mention other species that prefer wet places:
For those interested, there is a small amount of Symplocarpus foetidus seeds available (no international shipping).
Iris versicolor is also back in the inventory. And you can always throw in the mix a handful of Lobelia siphilitica and Lobelia cardinalis seeds.

Parnassia and Triantha have been in demand this fall, but there are still some seeds available.

Symplocarpus foetidus

Lobelia siphilitica with bumblebee

Triantha glutinosa flowers

Lobelia cardinalis

Parnassia palustris flower detail

Iris versicolor

Weather allowing, it is about the time to collect the hog peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata) seeds….

The quartet, with emphasis on Trautvetteria

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I thought I’ll write about a triad but almost a week has passed by and it has become a quartet!
The following species, all good in part-shaded locations, are in the inventory: Gillenia trifoliata, Spigelia marilandica, Glaucidium palmatum and Trautvetteria caroliniensis.

The first 3 need no introduction for the garden aficionados; who doesn’t know about the butterfly-like flowers of Gillenia, the ‘hummingbird magnet’ Indian pink (Spigelia), and ethereal flowers of Glaucidium?


On the other hand, Trautvetteria caroliniensis (False bugbane) is not that well known and cultivated. It is the only species of the genus with a North American and Asian distribution. Trautvetteria populations from N. America and Asia were treated as different varieties for a while, but it seems that no differentiating characters could be found between them.

I found Trautvetteria to be an intriguing plant. The ‘naked’ inflorescences composed of only white stamens are very similar to those of Hydrastis canadensis; the palmate leaves are also hinting towards Hydrastis or Glaucidium, both from Ranunculaceae family. After all, an older synonym name is Hydrastis caroliniensis.

Of course, those not interested in botanical details are just growing it because it is a beautiful and interesting plant for part-shaded locations.

The fruit is called utricle and contains one seed; so in fact we will be sowing the fruits. It is not practical to remove the pericarp as seeds may get damaged if trying to do so. I only took a few out to take a picture.

Trautvetteria caroliniensis fruits and seeds

Like for many other species from Ranunculaceae, we have to assume that the seeds are best sown asap, probably requiring first a slightly warm/moist period before a cold one (otherwise we can expect germination in the second year). It is a rhizome forming species, so don’t expect it to flower sooner than 3-4 years.

*Ernst Rudolf von Trautvetter (1809-1889), was a botanist from Estonia who specialized in flora of the Caucasus and Central Asia; during his life he served as director of the Botanical Garden in St. Petersburg and Professor and director of the Botanical Garden in Kiev.

Enough talk, let’s get going  with the sowing! Time flies.

The first 2 orders containing the trio of North American species: Gillenia, Spigelia and Trautvetteria – receive a free pck. of Glaucidium seeds!!!

 

Back to the bakeapple

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More and more, after trying various unsuccessful methods to germinate this species, I wonder why some people would bother to attempt growing it from seeds; except perhaps from curiosity.

The latest update (#3) on Rubus chamaemorus germination was added in the same post with update #2 and can be found HERE.

I hope that one day I will have the occasion to taste the fruits which are hailed as a delicious and with multiple health qualities. But I am realistic that I won’t harvest them from my seeds grown plants!

Rubus chamaemorus is a species with circumboreal distribution* and it cannot be grown in warm and /or humid climates; plus, it is dioecious and one would need male and female plants to produce fruits.
Even in the wild, in some years the fruit yield is very low. The primary means of reproduction is by vegetative rhizomes, and they can form large clonal colonies; this is also not favorable for fruits set.

The majority of fruits are still harvested in the wild in Nordic regions, where it grows abundantly; for many reasons the situation will probably remain the same in the near future.

There are plenty of reads on the internet for those interested in this species; just avoid the websites where they say you can grow it easily ;) Or who are trying to sell you 5 seeds ;)

Unfortunately, the hype that most times accompanies fruits/seeds/plants which are considered ‘wondrous’, leads to unrealistic expectations from the ‘consumers’, and dishonest marketing from those offering the seeds/fruits/plants or derived products.

That being said, those willing to spend 4 CAD to play with the seeds are welcome to give them a try.
If someone is interested in more than 2-3 pck. of seeds, please get in touch by using the Contact form.
Those hoping to taste cloudberry fruits, I suggest a visit to a Nordic country, or even somewhere to Northern Canada (I don’t know precise locations though).

*“Ecology and habitat. Substrates: wet meadows, around the margins of ponds, marshes, along streams, slopes, ridges, dry meadows; imperfectly drained moist areas, dry, moderately well-drained areas; moss; with high organic content, peat; acidic. Rubus chamaemorus grows in moist, peaty and turfy soils, including sphagnum bogs and hummocks with pH 2.5–4.5, muskegs, mossy tundra and black spruce bogs. The species occupies a broad spectrum of sites from dry to wet, but is most common on wetter sites, particularly raised bogs, and freshwater marshes. Good growth has been observed with the pH as high as 6.1. Rubus chamaemorus sometimes occurs in periodically dry lichen carpets on acid rocks. The species is considered to be a pioneer that rapidly colonises bare soil.”
From Flora of Canadian Arctic Archipelago: https://nature.ca/aaflora/data/www/roruch.htm

 

September seeds

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To state the obvious, it is already September!

With the attention on the Seeds List directed toward the species which need to be sown in the fall/early winter, I feature the buffaloberry, Shepherdia canadensis, which is a most valuable shrub: spring early flowering sustaining the first pollinators, edible berries, drought tolerance, nitrogen-fixing….

Shepherdia canadensis

Shepherdia canadensis


I never had the occasion to taste the famed ‘Indian ice cream’, said to be made from a crushed mixture of raspberries and buffaloberries beaten to form a foamy top, but it certainly sounds delicious!
Seeds freshly collected in beautiful BC. They need a good period of cold/moist stratification to germinate well (ie. sow in late fall and keep the pot outdoors, let the weather do the trick); some also recommend scarification before sowing.

On the letter L section you can find the newly added:
Lonicera involucrata, Lonicera utahensis and Lonicera dioica.

Lonicera involucrata

Lonicera involucrata

Lonicera utahensis

Linum hypericifolium

Those who don’t have the space or desire to grow shrubs from seeds, can find new among perennials this year – Linum hypericifolium.
Yes, Linum doesn’t have to be blue or yellow, it also comes in pink :)

Stay tuned for the Friday announcements on Trillium luteum and Primula section.

 

 

 

 

 

Time to sow & colorful baneberries

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The well-rooted habit of sowing seeds mostly in very late fall and winter has unfortunately  given rise to misconceptions about the germination requirements of some plants, claiming that they need 2 seasons for germination (or that they are very difficult to germinate in case of hydrophilic seeds).
The truth is that they only need to be sown at the right time, which is: from late summer to late fall in a temperate climate.

Failing to do so, these species will indeed need to spend 2 years in pots in order to germinate, and may also have a reduced percentage of germination. Medeola, Caulophyllum and those with double dormancy will still germinate in the second year/or over a period of two years.

I compiled a short list with the seeds which germinate best when sown asap, see below. It is by no means exclusive; I am sure there could be many others having this requirement.

Regarding Actaea (baneberry), this fall we have the occasion to sow baneberries with fruits of all colors: red, white, magenta, and even black (see Actaea spicata). Highly underused plants for the gardens, baneberries are tough, cold and drought resistant, have beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers followed by colorful fruits!

Among offerings this fall there are also seeds collected in SE British Columbia: Actaea rubra ssp. arguta and A. rubra ssp. arguta fo. neglecta; read about them on the product pages (click the links).

Actaea rubra ssp. arguta

Actaea rubra ssp. arguta BC

Actaea rubra ssp. arguta fo. neglecta

Stay tuned for Shop re-opening this week and a few more announcements!

Genera/species which require to be sown by late summer/early fall, for best results.

 Warm stratification followed by cold stratification Genera with hydrophilic seeds Genera with hydrophilic seeds
Actaea ssp.    
Anemonastrum Asarum Jeffersonia
Cornus Aconitum (most species) Lindera
Crocus Aristolochia Medeola
Daphne mezereum, Daphne tangutica
 Saruma Paris
Delphinium (tuberous ssp.) Caulophyllum Panax
Galanthus Claytonia Podophyllum
Euonymus Corydalis (some species) Prosartes
Helleborus Clintonia Sanguinaria
Hydrophyllum Dicentra Stylophorum
Ilex Diphylleia Uvularia
Lilium (most species) Erythronium (most species)  Trillium
Paeonia (except P. tenuifolia) Epimedium  
Streptopus Hydrastis  
Viburnum Hepatica  

*This is not an exclusive list.
Some species may still germinate in the second year after sowing, or from various other reasons may not germinate at all, but at least we did our best by sowing at the right time.

 

Colorful fruits

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August and September are the best to admire and/or collect many colorful fleshy fruits.
These are some of the latest waiting to be processed.  All beautiful and requiring much more work for extracting and cleaning the seeds than the dry fruits.

All species shown in this picture germinate best when sown in late summer/early fall. They require a slightly warm cycle followed by a cold one; failing to sow them as such results in germination only on the second spring after sowing ;) Mark them on your wish list!

*Actaea pachypoda fo. rubrocarpa fruits were collected from a garden-cultivated plant grown from seeds; it comes true to the form and is a nice addition to the regular A. pachypoda with white fruits (not mature yet).

**Actaea rubra fo. neglecta is the rare form with white fruits of A. rubra; wild collected fruits.

 

 

What’s new?

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First of all, seeds of Erythronium americanum are in stock, in limited quantity. The spring weather wasn’t favorable for the early flowering species pollination.

Then, a few Helleborus are already in stock: H. x hybridus ‘Cherry Blossoms‘, H. niger, H. foetidus and in limited quantity – H. purpurascens!
How rewarding to see the Helleborus purpurascens grown up and starting to produce seeds! Seeds from mother-plants which were grown from wild collected seeds are the next best thing, beside the wild coll. seeds.

Helleborus ‘Cherry Blossom’

Helleborus niger

Helleborus foetidus

Helleborus purpurascens ex. Carpathian Mts.

They should be sown during the summer months in order to obtain germination in the next spring. I wish there were more Helleborus to offer. They are so easy to grow from seeds and even if some cultivars won’t come true to the mother plants 100%, there are only nice surprises to expect.

Also, the formerly Corydalis, now Pseudofumaria alba and the NA Rock harlequin, Capnoides sempervirens are also in stock. Pseudofumaria lutea will follow shortly.
These species behave similarly in regards to the germination: fresh seeds sown right away will mostly germinate during summer time and form a leaf rosette; next year they will start flowering. Seeds sown later in the fall/early winter will mostly germinate after a cold period.

For those who need encouragement to start growing plants from seeds, I always recommend to try a few of the “easy” species, like these ones. Throw the seeds in the garden (in a location you will water at least occasionally) and is almost impossible not to obtain a few plants (same goes for Papaver species).
Especially for those problem places where nothing seems to grow, try these “Corydalis” and you will not be disappointed. What else would grow so bountiful around the house foundation? The ‘unwanted’ are easily removed.

Pseudofumaria alba

Capnoides sempervirens

Pseudofumaria lutea

Few other usual species of mid to late June are also collected and will be available next week: Sanguinaria canadensis (just coll. yesterday), Stylophorum diphyllum, S. lasiocarpum and hopefully Asarum canadense.

The peonies

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In the last few weeks I have been under the spell of peonies. Every time they flower, the wonder is anew.

Their flowers are most times fleeting (especially when we get 30C in May!), and there is little time to enjoy them. Most Paeonia species have flowered already, and I have had two very nice surprises: first, my first peony grown from seeds has flowered: a sweet P. mlokosewitchii. Second, a couple of divisions gifted to me by a dear friend, have also flowered: a chance cross of P. japonica and P. mascula (which were growing close toghether in her garden).

Paeonia mlokosewitschii flower

Paeonia japonica x mascula

Paeonia japonica had the chance to flower just before the heat wave and it was superb! P. mascula, a bit late, was rushed through and the same happens now with P. tenuifolia and P. officinalis.

Paeonia japonica

Paeonia mascula (2)

Paeonia tenuifolia

Paeonia officinalis

As I write, my only precious Paeonia rockii is in flower: what a peony!

“The peony is this big” / the child’s arms/ outstretched. – Issa

Paeonia anomala and P. lactiflora cultivars will follow shortly and there will be 2 more flowering surprises: a young P. officinalis ssp. huthii and a white tree peony (P. suffrutescens)! They were grown from seeds, and the satisfaction to see them reaching flowering stage can hardly be described.

There are even more peonies youngsters in the garden; each will flower in their own time. And the wonder will be anew…

Then the peonies
Extinguishing all others
Opened their petals.
              –  Basho

 

Out in the woods: Trillium grandiflorum and companions

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Do you need ideas about NA native woodland species to introduce into your garden? Take a hike into the woods; nature is the best expert in providing answers ;)

Trillium grandiflorum, the large white trillium and some of its companions are in flower right now and, with the current summer-like temperatures will not last long.
(other species not seen in the gallery: Erythronium americanum, Actaea rubra and A. pachypoda, Sambucus, Lonicera canadensis, Thalictrum dioicum, Hydrophyllum virginianum…)

Trillium grandiflorum and Caulophyllum giganteum

T. grandiflorum with Asarum canadense

Podophyllum peltatum, the Mayapple

T. grandiflorum with Tiarella cordifolia

T. grandilflorum, Uvularia grandiflora, Hepatica acutiloba

Trillium erectum with T. grandiflorum

Dryopteris marginalis, wood fern

Trillium grandiflorum and Maianthemum racemosum

Arisaema triphyllum

Uvularia grandiflora and Viola pubescens

Viola rostrata

Trillium and Polygala paucifolia

Notes for the Seeds Shop

  • The inventory of dry seeds will not be updated from now on (with the exception of two stage germinators: Lilium and Paeonia). This is the time to concentrate on the first seed collections, and most species, as it happens, require moist storage; it is a lot of work.
    Updates and new additions to the Seeds List will follow in late summer–early fall.
  • Some Corydalis seeds have been collected; they will be available at the same time with the first Hepatica seeds in June. And fingers crossed that Claytonia virginica will also be available again this year.
  • The collection of Hepatica seeds will most likely start at the end of the month/early June, and will be followed by Asarum, Stylophorum diphyllum and towards end of June: Sanguinaria canadensis and Erythronium americanum (if possible to collect).
    The availability of these species will be announced. They all require moist storage and are best sown right away.

This is how most Hepatica plants are looking at this time: new foliage has developed and the pedicels holding the fruit heads are hiding under the new leaves. This makes them hard to spot and is a good sign to keep in mind that the collecting has to be done soon.
Until the seeds are collected, I suggest a visit to the Hepatica page  where you can read more on the subject.

Hepatica acutiloba with new foliage

Hepatica acutiloba seeds catching

Goldenseal, and much more…

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It is always interesting to see that some species always germinate at about the same time the mother plants emerge in the garden. Hydrastis canadensis, the goldenseal, is one of them. The seeds have started to germinate last week, at the same time the plants started to appear in the garden.

In order to offer more seeds, we have to increase our stock (conservation through propagation ;) plus they are such delightful plants to grow.

Hydrastis canadensis seedlings 2021

Hydrastis canadensis garden grown 2021

Because there are always questions regarding the seeds collections, the goldenseal fruits mature somewhere at the beginning of August (in this region/ also depending on the weather). So, they could be available in the September update of the Seeds List.

With regret, we cannot answer questions like: When….seeds will be available? simply because no one can tell.
The collection of seeds it is always under the influence of weather conditions (and various garden/woodland critters). For those interested to purchase or to collect their own seeds, here are few species to keep an eye upon during May and June in SW Ontario (with a margin of +/- 2 weeks).
In some years there are seeds from all, but most often not all are setting seeds/can be collected regularly.

May:
Corydalis solida and other species of Corydalis, Eranthis
Hepatica americana and H. acutiloba, Claytonia virginica, Dirca palustris
June:
Asarum canadense, Sanguinaria canadensis, Anemonella thalictroides
Erythronium americanum, Stylophorum diphyllum, Anemone quinquefolia
Lonicera canadensis, various Viola species, Polygala paucifolia…

Many trees are expanding their leaves, but the weather has remained cool and probably some seeds will mature later than usual. Stylophorum diphyllum is blooming; Uvularia grandiflora is just starting and we can look forward to a prolonged show of Trillium grandiflorum. If you want an early flowering Clematis, you can always count on C. occidentalis.

I also have to mention that the first blooms of Paeonia japonica are opening!  The nearby Viola sororia fo. priceana was looking gorgeous, and to not discriminate, I took a picture. And wait, Glaucidium is also starting to bloom!

Trillium grandiflorum

Uvularia grandiflora

Clematis occidentalis

Paeonia japonica

Viola sororia f. priceana

Glaucidium palmatum ‘Album’

On the sunny side: Papaver chakassicum decided to keep company to the little Iris suaveolens f. rubromarginata ex. Dobrogea. Pulsatillas are still flowering and there will be many more flowers to come!

Papaver chakassicum, Iris suaveolens f. rubromarginata

Aquilegia canadensis ‘Little Lanterns’, Pulsatilla ex. styriaca

Silene suecica, Dianthus, Aurinia…

The “season of ten thousand flowers” has begun :) Enjoy!

Mid-April report: spring beauties

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The unusual warm weather experienced in SW Ontario for a while has determined many spring beauties to explode into fast growth and flowering. Then, the torrential rains arrived, and now we are heading backwards to the winter…(snow showers outside at the moment).

This is, most years, the early spring time in Ontario!

The earliest spring beauties are in flower: Lindera benzoin, Lonicera canadensis, Claytonia virginica, Caulophyllum, Hepatica americana and H. acutiloba.  Sanguinaria canadensis has almost finished flowering (depending on the region) and yesterday I noticed the first trout lilies blooming, plus Trillium erectum and T. grandiflorum with buds just about to open! The wild ginger is well on its way of carpeting the woodland floor/garden.

Lonicera canadensis

Caulophyllum giganteum

Lindera benzoin, early spring

Hepatica acutiloba

Claytonia virginica

Hepatica americana

Erythronium americanum

Sanguinaria canadensis

In the garden, few Primulas and Helleborus have been flowering for a couple of weeks now alongside Corydalis.  Other spring beauties are appearing almost on a daily basis. *Our native Primula mistassinica is in flower as well but I didn’t take a picture yet.

Helleborus purpurascens

Helleborus x hybridus large purple

Hepatica acutiloba fo. rosea

Hepatica acutiloba ‘Purple Star’

Dicentra cucullaria

Pachyphragma macrophyllum

Primula macrocalyx and Lathyrus vernus

Primula sibthorpii

Primula amoena

Draba haynaldii

Jeffersonia dubia

Pulsatilla ex. styriaca

Young shoots of Caulophyllum thalictroides/giganteum

*Young seedlings have also appeared and some new sowings are starting to germinate.
Especially for those who have sown Caulophyllum in the ground two years ago (and the few lucky ones who received one year-old stratified seeds) –  be careful because the young shoots are dark colored (almost black) for a while and they can be easily stepped upon. Same goes for other directly sown native species in the ground, even if green colored/or sown in pots: Asarum  and Stylophorum diphyllum, Hepatica, should be germinating around this time, or soon.