Category: Wildflowers of North America

More seeds

Back in stock by popular request:
Viburnum acerifolium and Asclepias exaltata, Poke milkweed

Viburnum acerifolium fall foliage

Asclepias exaltata, fall color

New and exciting, at least for those of us looking to add more species to our native woodland corner:
Helianthus divaricatus, the Woodland sunflower
Eurybia macrophylla, Large-leaved wood aster
Solidago caesia, Wreath goldenrod

Helianthus divaricatus

Eurybia macrophylla

Solidago caesia

Ptelea trifoliata, Hop tree (male specimen, no fruits)

Not counting as new because once in a while they end up in our SEED LIST, two small size native trees.

Ptelea trifoliata, Hop tree
Staphylea trifolia, American Bladdernut

Plus, the wild rose mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos, a good company for Verbena hastata.

More to come soon….

Older posts:
Asclepias exaltata and other happenings
Growing small trees from seeds

October 23, 2026

October seeds

Wildflowers of North America

October brings more seeds to BotanyCa Seed List:
Back in stock from the wild side (images, descriptions on each species page, click the links).
Amphicarpaea bracteata, Hog peanut
Euonymus obovatus, Running strawberry- bush
Pycnanthemum virginianum, Mountain-mint
Taenidia integerrima, Yellow pimpernel
Viburnum lentago, nannyberry

New: Verbena hastata – Tall blue vervain, with particular candelabra-like flowering stems and a pollinator magnet.
And Sporobolus heterolepis, Prairie dropseed – with special thanks to the seeds donor! It would be great to see this rather rare native grass growing in more gardens.

Verbena hastata2

Sporobolus heterolepis

Sorbus koehneana

From other parts of the world, two species for the fall décor and not only:
Arum ex. ‘Chamaeleon’ and Sorbus koehneana

Many thanks to all our followers and customers and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and a beautiful fall season! Keep the sowing going!

*Notice for the moist-packed seeds – the warm fall weather won’t last forever 😉
**Available starting in the second part of October/November, for those making wish lists: Smilax tamnoides, Asclepias exaltata, and fingers crossed, Lilium philadelphicum
(maybe a few more but we’ll keep it with the certainties…)

October 9, 2026

The Canadian burnet

Wildflowers of North America

Good news: raising a couple more plants from seeds paid off and this fall we collected Canadian burnet seeds (on-going). There is no hurry to sow it in the fall, being a warm germinator, but people are discovering it in the SEED List without any announcement. I just wanted to make sure everyone knows before running out of seeds.

A (revised) plant portrait from 2022.
Here we call Sanguisorba canadensis, Canadian burnet, Sanguisorbe du Canada (Fam. Rosaceae). On the other side of the border, some call it American burnet. We are all talking about the same species :) See the bottom of the post for a note on Sanguisorba stipulata.
With its grayish-green pinnate foliage and fragrant, fluffy, bottlebrush-like inflorescences in late summer (visited by many pollinators), the Canadian burnet makes a great addition to any garden.

Canadian burnet has an Eastern distribution in Canada (NB, NS, QC and NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon and US. Records mention that in various states of the US it is considered threatened or endangered. Given the general loss of wetlands, the situation may become worse here as well.
It grows wild on river shores, stream banks, swamps, wet meadows and other wet locations. I can vouch that it adapts perfectly to garden cultivation, in a slightly moist location; maybe it will not grow to its maximum height and it will spread less (not a bad thing).

Sanguisorba canadensis, Canadian burnet

More excellent pictures for the Canadian Burnet taken in the wild can be seen here:
https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/783544-Sanguisorba-canadensis/browse_photos

Canadian burnet seedlings (started early under lights) in 2023; they flowered this year (2026).

The plant portrait on Canada Burnet came as a continuation to the posts on Zigadenus elegans ssp. glaucus and Zigadenus companions. As mentioned in those posts, we can grow in our gardens many species that in their natural habitat prefer wet places, they just need a proper location (for example, in case of Sanguisorba, a downspout extension leading towards the bed where mine grows).

For seeds we have to patiently wait until September/October. Canadian burnet spreads by rhizomes and forms (vegetative) colonies, reason why I think, it doesn’t always set a lot of seeds. Having different plants raised from seeds it is a better option for this purpose.
Otherwise, it is very easy to grow from seeds (warm germinator, fast growing seedlings!). After a few years, you can also share divisions with friends.

*Flora of North America differentiate Sanguisorba canadensis and Sanguisorba stipulata (Sitka burnet) as geographically distinct species with notable morphological differences, especially in leaflet shape and flower count. Sanguisorba stipulata is considered the western sister species to Sanguisorba canadensis (which is found exclusively in the eastern states and provinces).

September 30, 2026

Seeds announcement

Wildflowers of North America

A brief announcement (there are other fruits waiting to be cleaned/processed at this time)

In stock:

Lindera benzoin, Northern spicebush
Prosartes lanuginosa, Yellow mandarin (limited as always)

Good native companions are: Mitchella repens, Medeola virginiana, Clintonia borealis, Uvularia grandiflora, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Trillium grandiflorum, Arisaema triphyllum, various Viola species, to mention just a few.

Disporum uniflorum, Korean fairy bells

Also, in the moist-packed category, the Korean fairy bells.
Disporum uniflorum

For those unfamiliar with these species, more info and images in the previous posts:
Lindera benzoin plant portrait
Prosartes lanuginosa plant portrait
Korean Fairy Bells

Plus, another species that needs to be sown asap (slightly warm/cold stratification required):
Daphne tangutica

Other species from the moist packed category that may become available later in October:
Calla palustris (Water arum)
Symplocarpus foetidus (Eastern Skunk cabbage)

September 18, 2026

Updates & new seeds

Wildflowers of North America

First a reminder especially for new customers purchasing moist-packed seeds — the small envelopes in which the seeds are shipped are not suitable for long term stratification!
Ideally, these seeds should be sown in pots, which then kept outdoors until spring. But those wishing to do the slightly warm and then the cold stratification in bags, attention: the seeds need to be transferred to slightly larger bags, adding more moist vermiculite (follow the directions from Growing Hydrastis canadensis from seeds).

*The moist-packed seeds inventory has been updated; species in limited quantity are sold out but there are still plenty native species available to try and grow from seeds.

**For those interested: seeds of Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush) and Prosartes lanuginosa should be available next week.

About the new seeds now

For the carnivorous plants afficionado, an exciting news I think:
Pinguicula vulgaris and Utricularia cornuta are back on the BotanyCa Seed List!

Also, the inventory has been replenished with seeds of Houstonia canadensis (Canada summer bluet), Lobelia kalmii and Viola nephrophylla.
They would all enjoy similar conditions in the garden, in a moist, sunny area (at least seasonally moist). Grow them together with Campanula rotundifolia, Solidago simplex var. ontarioense, Primula mistassinica, Ageratina altissima and Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth aster) for a very powerful native plants combo!

Viola nephrophylla, Primula mistassinica

Cornus rugosa fruits are on a beautiful display right now, so it is a good time to emphasize this underutilized small size native tree as an excellent choice for a woodland corner and/or wildlife gardens.

September 11, 2026

Moist packed seeds

Propagation, Wildflowers of North America

Clintonia borealis and Cornus canadensis seeds were just added to the SEED LIST and it is time to get started with the fall sowing!

Like always, the emphasis right now is on the moist packed seeds and all other species that benefit from an early fall sowing (Daphne, Paeonia, Helleborus, Actaea, Ilex, Cornus, Hydrophyllum, Euonymus…).

And also like always, we remain committed to the “No DODs” for all species with hydrophilic seeds.

All species with hydrophilic seeds will be kept in the top tab of the SEED LIST throughout the fall for better visibility and easy links.

We prefer orders with these species for now, although of course, they can be combined with any other available species. However, large orders for only dry seeds will be processed last.

Thank you all! To the seeds and sowing!

Podophyllum peltatum flower

Medeola virginiana flower

Clintonia borealis (Blue beads) fruits

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Uvularia grandiflora flower close up

Trillium grandiflorum

Trillium cuneatum, Sweet Betsy

Hydrastis canadensis flowers

Trillium erectum

* The terms for ordering/shipping remain as outlined. Please look for various species starting from the SEED LIST for all announcements.
**A few species are still in the cleaning stage and the seeds are kept in bulk and individually packed for orders; the inventory will be ‘fluid’ for a while.

September 4, 2026

Sneak preview

Wildflowers of North America

We are waiting for all possible seeds from the ‘moist-packed’ category to be ready, before making them available in the early fall SEED List in early September.

Like in all other years, there will be an emphasis on the species with hydrophilic seeds that are best sown in the fall. They are stored in moist vermiculite, but the shipping can go on only as long as the weather permits. Last year the winter arrived early in November and the shipping of such seeds had to be stopped.

For all these species, again, the requirement for best germination is: a slightly warm/moist cycle (fall) followed by a cold/moist cycle (winter). So, those thinking about growing any of these species (written in green) please purchase them first, and let the dry seeds wait for the late fall.

Diphylleia cymosa dormant rhizomes after one year of seedlings growth.

A short sneak preview for the moist-packed category of this (early) fall.
Due to a reasonable rainy season, various Trilliums seeds will also be available in limited quantity, besides the more regular Trillium grandiflorum.

Thanks to a kind soul who donated again seeds of Diphylleia cymosa (American umbrella plant), more people will be able to grow this statuesque beauty.

We sowed it last fall for the first time to follow the germination pattern, and pictures were posted over a few posts. The seeds germinated promptly in the spring; the seedlings remained at the cotyledon stage, then went dormant somewhere in July. They had quite a long growth period compared with a few other rhizomatous species.
I hoped the ‘curiosity won’t kill the cat’ 😊, so I transplanted the small rhizomes to show an image with them dormant. You can leave them in the same pot for one more years or transplant to a larger pot (or in the ground, if more courageous); they will have a nice growing start next spring.

According to my scouting, at least a few Podophyllum peltatum fruits will also be available to collect at the end of August (the same germination/growth pattern as Diphylleia).

And yes, Hydrastis canadensis seeds will also be available.

* All these species will be kept in the top tab of the SEEDs List throughout the fall for better visibility and easy links.

Get ready for the moist-packed seeds – fall 2026!

* *A few other species from the same category have fruits that mature later in the fall and although there is good hope, we cannot guarantee they will be available (late September-October).
Lindera benzoin, Medeola virginiana
Prosartes lanuginosa
Disporum uniflorum
Maianthemum species

*** FAQ – Moist packed seeds
Germination page

August 21, 2026

Summer Seeds sale

Wildflowers of North America

Asarum canadense, wild ginger.

We are starting the summer sale of fresh seeds for various native and non-native species that require sowing during the summer for best germination. The species are listed in the top section of the SEED LIST.

Thanks to very kind donors, we have more seeds of Jeffersonia diphylla and also from the nice light pink form Sanguinaria canadensis ex. ‘Armstrong Pink’.
To pay it forward: the first 3 orders will receive a free seed pack. of Sanguinaria! (write on the note that you are interested).

Some of the seeds will be shipped moist packed, some will be shipped doubled packed in glassine envelopes/plastic bags. The remaining seeds will be available for the fall-winter sale, moist packed. Generally speaking, there are less seeds this year, so better do not wait too long.

Details for all offered species available on their product page, as usual.

Jeffersonia dubia

Jeffersonia diphylla in April

Thalictrum thalictroides

To maximize the shipping cost, any other seeds can be added to your order.
Suggestions: Helleborus – the seeds can be sown until late summer/early fall, but please keep in mind that the Seeds shop will close at some point and re-open only in late August-early September. In the same idea, it would be best to purchase and sow the Paeonia seeds that are still in stock. Also Viburnum, Aralia, Actaea, Euonymus, Smilax…

Any other seeds in stock can be added to your order in fact (keep the cold germinators in the fridge for fall sowing).

The SEEDS Shop will close for orders at some point in August and will reopen a bit later in the fall this year. Various species show delayed fruits maturation because of the cold spring, so most probably various seeds collections will be done later than usual.

Many thanks again to all who support BotanyCa in the endeavour of offering fresh seeds of various native and other plants species. We can all make a small contribution to sustain the biodiversity simply by growing a few plants from seeds!

July 10, 2026

Waiting…

Wildflowers of North America

Thalictrum thalictroides (Rue anemone)

Our usual early summer seeds sale for various species that need to be sown fresh (or be moist packed for fall sale) will be postponed a bit due to a very cold spring start.

Some of the Jeffersonia diphylla and Jeffersonia dubia seeds have been collected, also Stylophorum diphyllum and Thalictrum thalictroides (Rue anemone).

Although the Rue anemone it is such a lovely native spring wildflower, I stopped offering seeds because there was not great demand (and the seeds are not easy to catch). People prefer to grow the double-flowered varieties (often called Anemonella); maybe with the pollinators in mind, that will change.

The wild ginger (Asarum) fruits are just starting to break open (keep on eye on them if you want to collect for yourself). There will also be few Epimedium seeds for those interested.

Meanwhile, June is high peak flowering time in the rockery. A few easy flowering species (besides the Dianthus) that can make anyone look like a ‘pro’, with little effort. Polygala major has self-sown in the rockery in a carpet of thyme. Small plants for big effects!

When seeds are available, or if you find young plants to purchase, do not hesitate to try them. Most of these species are actually from the category: ‘easy plants to grow from seeds’.

June 26, 2026

June updates

Propagation, Wildflowers of North America

Jeffersonia dubia

Many thanks to all who participated in the Hepatica seeds sale!
Follow the instructions, sow the seeds when they arrive, and be patient. In a few years you will be rewarded with charming, colorful spring beauties!

In the near future, we expect a few other species with ‘best germination when sown fresh’ during early summer to be available.
Considering the current heat wave, and by the look of the fruits, it is most likely that we’ll have all such species (many of them natives), offered in a single wave this year: Jeffersonia, Asarum canadense, Stylophorum diphyllum, Sanguinaria….and so on.

As always, the seeds will be announced beforehand.

June is by definition Dianthus flowering month. Most of them have fragrant flowers and are great companions for all other garden plants. Is there a need to repeat that they are easily grown from seeds? Only two from my favourites; I prefer the wild forms over the countless cultivars available on the market.

Talking native species, the Golden Alexander, Zizia aurea, is flowering right now, filling the gap between the natives early spring and late summer bloomers.
It is an excellent pollinator friendly plant for short-tongued insects, doing well in a variety of locations, from full sun to part-shade. Serendipity made it for a tall blue Aquilegia to flower close to one of them; blue and yellow is a great combination in the garden.

I like it so much that last fall I also sowed the Heart-leaf Golden Alexander or meadow Zizia (Zizia aptera). The more the better 😊 The meadow Zizia it is supposedly more tolerant of soil dryness compared to Zizia aurea.

From the tall and beautiful category, Gladiolus caucasicus and Salvia nutans deserve a special mention this year.

And of course, Paeonia peregrina (in the featured image) was right on time to lead the June blooming in the garden (do not forget to sow your peonies seeds during the summer time).

June 12, 2026

Welcome to May, 2026

Wildflowers of North America

After a cold April, May arrived with the same weather pattern. Comparing with other years, Hepatica americana and Hepatica acutiloba flowered poorly, in some cases with a few late buds opening after the first wave of flowers. There are still a few flowers on some Hepatica nobilis, Hepatica americana and Hepatica transsilvanica in the deeper shade!

Native species wise, Iris lacustris and Primula mistassinica enjoyed the record amounts of snow of last winter and both flowered spectacularly and for a long time. Besides various Trillium species, Asarum canadense (wild ginger), Uvularia grandiflora, Mitella diphylla, Viola labradorica,Viola rostrata, Stylophorum diphyllum, Anemone quinquefolia (to name just a few) are in bloom at this time. I just noticed the first open flower on Prosartes lanuginosa today and Hydrastis canadensis will follow shortly by the look of it.
Information about most of these native species, and not only, is available by clicking on their name in the Seed List (images, description, propagation from seeds).

The Large flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum, remains the ‘star of May’ in Ontario. Many images, including its spring companions were added over the years on this website. The companion plants are the same, they only flower at slightly different times depending on the region & weather.
For those wishing to review and maybe get inspired for adding various native species to their gardens, please follow the links below:
Out in the woods: Trillium grandiflorum and companions (2023)
Trillium grandiflorum 2022
Out in the woods: Trillium grandiflorum and companions (2021)

Garden wise, the cooler weather has been a blessing for planting and transplanting/dividing larger perennials. On the other hand, the seedlings are growing very slow; advantages and disadvantages.

Welcome to May, much to admire, do, and so little time….just a small selection of native and non-native species.

Corydalis solida white form

* The bulbous Corydalis flowering was OK, but due to the April weather the seeds set is not looking great, with some exceptions; the same applies for most Hepatica species (and other very early flowering species). By the end of the month we’ll have a clearer picture and decide if worth offering a limited selection of such seeds this year.

As usual, there will be an announcement for the first fresh seeds of the season.

May 15, 2026

Spring beauties

Propagation, Wildflowers of North America

As our April weather roller coaster continues, more and more spring beauties, literally 😉 and figuratively, are showing up. Foliage, flowers, seedlings; it is hard to keep up with them all. Just a few pictures, there are already plenty images with Corydalis and other spring flowers on this website.

Although I enjoy them blooming, sometimes I wish the peonies will remain in this early stage for the whole season!

Paeonia tenuifolia

Paeonia ex. wendelboi

Paeonia officinalis ssp. huhtii

Seedlings news

I have also sown 5-6 seeds of Diphylleia cymosa for testing last year and they are germinating. So, those who purchased seeds (and sowed them like advised) keep an eye on it. Yesterday I also noticed signs of germination on the Daphne mezereum (white) sowing pot.
Various Corydalis seeds should have already germinated a while ago; a picture here with Corydalis malkensis seedlings (seeds sown in a more ‘controlled fashion’ last summer; never enough Corydalis, eh?)