Summer Seeds

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Newly collected hydrophilic seeds are in stock: Jeffersonia, Asarum, Sanguinaria and Stylophorum diphyllum, plus other species that require a warm moist stratification before the winter (cold/moist stratification), and can be easily found in the tab above the regular Seed List.
What hydrophilic seeds means? To make a long story short:

Various species have been proven to have hydrophilic seeds, which means that if they are let to dry (like for the majority of other species) and are kept this way for certain periods of time, they lose their viability and will either not germinate upon sowing, or will germinate poorly & over a longer period of time.
So, they have to be either sown soon after collecting, or if they will be used at a later date, they need to be kept moist. Hence our ‘Moist packed category’.

Sowing such seeds soon after collecting or keeping them moist throughout the summer mimics their natural growing conditions, will result most times in 100% germination. It is a lot of extra work but worth doing it.

Sanguinaria canadensis seeds are offered for free (1 pck., while quantity lasts) with any order for other seeds, during the Canada Day promotion.
Orders are accepted until July 5. Afterwards, I have to take care of some personal matters, so the Shop will close for about 2 weeks.

Pachyphragma macrophyllum

Other species that do not have hydrophilic seeds but give best results when sowed during the summer because they require first a warm/moist stratification period, have been added to the listing: Pachyphragma, Cardamine and Helleborus.
In other cases (Pseudofumaria, Pulsatilla) by sowing in the summer it is possible to obtain seedlings this season and thus shorten the time needed for full grown plants.

Helleborus seeds can be sown until late summer/early fall in our climate, but they are listed in case someone needs more seeds in order to optimize the shipping costs.

Sanguinaria canadensis 2024

Asarum canadense

Helleborus caucasicus

Jeffersonia diphylla

*Regarding the hydrophilic seeds, since they are freshly collected most will be shipped doubled packed in glassine envelopes/plastic bags (some may be moist packed in vermiculite).
**As usual, the remaining hydrophilic seeds will be moist-packed and available for the fall-winter sale (where enough seeds).
***All orders must conform with the Ordering and Shipping terms.

Those new to the Shop and website, please read more about these species on their pages, also have a look at the Germination page for more info on: Growing Helleborus from seeds, Growing Jeffersonia from seeds, Growing Caulophyllum from seeds…

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!

The ‘superfluous’ Penstemon

Upon inspection, Jeffersonia diphylla capsules will open soon. I  just collected Asarum canadense seeds (wild ginger) and Sanguinaria canadensis capsules look ready to burst. So, we will wait a couple of days to start a new wave of fresh seeds sale. Stay tuned…and check the Seed List for what’s coming.

Penstemon grandiflorus ‘War Axe’

Meanwhile, a beautiful North American Penstemon is flowering for the first time: Penstemon grandiflorus, the Shell-leaf Penstemon.
I was expecting lilac flowers but instead they are deep purple. Since I got the seeds from a friend (cultivated source), I thought a bit more research might be necessary even if all characters match for it.

It was easy, it seems there is a seed strain offered as ‘War Axe’, with the resulting seedlings in various colors from lilac to pink and deep purple. I have 2 plants and both are the same. So, this was clarified and the changes were made in the Shop.
Reading here and there, I become aware of another issue: some databases (WFO, POWO) are listing Penstemon grandiflorus Nutt. as a synonym name for Penstemon bradbury Pursh.

This on the account that Penstemon grandiflorus name is considered superfluous. The meaning of a superfluous plant name is that: if a new name is published for a species, and it included the type of an existing, valid name, then the new name is considered superfluous and illegitimate. This is because the author of the new name should have used the existing, valid name.

On the other hand, Flora of North America specialist for the genus accepted the name Penstemon grandiflorus while considering Penstemon bradbury an illeg., superfluous name: “The validity of the name Penstemon grandiflorus has been debated owing to the meager diagnosis by Nuttall. The name is accepted here, making P. bradburyi Pursh, an illegitimate, superfluous replacement for P. grandiflorus.”

Squabble between the specialists? 😉 Not the first time happening…
I usually prefer to follow the Flora of North America taxonomic treatments, regardless of the country/continent, as opposed to various databases compilations, so at least for now I keep P. grandiflorus.

The name may be ‘superfluous’ by some, but the beauty of the “Largest and showiest of the North American prairie penstemons” is not contested by anyone.

 

 

Hepatica seeds sale 2025

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Those interested can now browse this year list of Hepatica seeds; they are all posted in the inventory: Seed List
The seeds will be available during the month of June/while quantities allow. As explained, most offerings are in limited quantities due to the unfavorable spring weather.

Besides of the regulars on the Seed List, like H. acutiloba pastel mix and H. americana – the best blues mix, we have a comeback of H. americana pink form (quite a rarity), and the ‘Preciosa’ strain with a deeper color, plus a little surprise with H. acutiloba white/pink multipetal.

Hepatica acutiloba pastel mix

Hepatica americana

Hepatica americana – light violet 2025

Hepatica americana – pink 2025

Hepatica americana #2, 2025

Hepatica americana ‘Precioasa’ strain 2025

Hepatica acutiloba white multi, 2025

Hepatica nobilis multipetal

Hepatica nobilis ‘Walter’

Like in the previous years, the seeds won’t be embedded in moist vermiculite, but double packed in glassine envelopes and plastic bag. Sowing instructions are provided with the orders.

All other terms will proceed as usual; please do not combine Hepatica orders with many other species in order to expedite the shipping. Claytonia virginica seeds are also still available, so let’s get sowing!

Thank you again for making the effort to grow these spring beauties from seeds!

 

 

 

Getting ready for Hepatica

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We are getting very close to having all Hepatica seeds collected; only a few bags placed in the woods for H. americana have yet to be retrieved. In fact, it was an easier job this year because of the low seeds setting due to the very cold early spring, both in the garden and in  the wild.

Even plants that flowered very well, like Hepatica nobilis multipetal have been ‘shy’ to producing seeds: it is known that very low temperatures are not favorable for the pollen transfer to happen.

We should be happy with what we have, seeds wise. Who knows what’s going to be next year?!
On this line of thought, I will tell a short story about H. americana ‘Spring Dawn’, a multipetal form with large flowers I found in the wild in 2019; seeds were shared for 2-3 years.
A regular client of BotanyCa was very kind to send me in early spring a photo with his first flowering seedling obtained from those seeds.

Hepatica americana ‘Spring Dawn’ progeny

This very nice form of Hepatica americana doesn’t exist in the wild anymore. It is possible that at the same location, some young seedlings will flower similar at some point, but there’s no guarantee.

The 3 original plants were growing on a very steep slope, supported by tree roots and a few rocks. During a heavy rain period 3 years ago, they were dislocated by the floods and all I could find one spring was a piece of a plant hanging to its life with the roots exposed and partially desiccated. Of course, it was rescued, and it is now growing in a pot, still not recovered entirely.
Plants like Hepatica, which do not form buds at the root level, are very hard to revive in case the root system is partially destroyed.

Later in the season, I also had the occasion to admire on FB another plant grown from H. americana ‘Spring Dawn’ seeds by a friend.

So, I rest assured that this beautiful form has been saved and it will be preserved in our gardens, at least for a while.

Hepatica americana ‘Spring Dawn’ shown growing in the wild and a plant resulted from its seeds

The morale is that if/when you have to occasion to collect seeds of a special form of a given species you should do it! Even without various ‘accidents’, all plants have a given life span, and sooner or later they will vanish. The best advice is to practice “conservation through propagation”.

Special seedlings can appear in any given wild population as far as I noticed, or from unexpected crosses of garden grown plants.
You never know when a seedling will flower to be a new Hepatica americana ‘Spring Dawn’ or a Hepatica nobilis ‘Walter’. After all, that’s how it goes. 😊

In the featured image, a vivid magenta flower Hepatica nobilis obtained random from seeds. I collected the few seeds which will be gifted to the first person ordering Hepatica; a specimen with leathery foliage and drought resistant.

To conclude, the Hepatica list will be updated as soon as the last seeds are retrieved, tomorrow or on Saturday. The start of the sale will be announced.

Prosartes lanuginosa

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Prosartes lanuginosa in flower (yellow mandarin), garden cultivated.

 Prosartes lanuginosa (the yellow mandarin) is in full bloom in my garden, looking more beautiful than ever and deserving a mention.
I looked back at propagation pictures and these older plants were tiny seedlings  in 2018! Formerly named Disporum, this is the only Prosartes species growing wild in Southern Ontario, and only in restricted locations.

Easily recognized by its graceful habit with usually 3 branching stems ending with 1-2 cream flowers (despite the name yellow mandarin) in late spring, followed by bright red/orange fruits in the fall. 

I mentioned on other occasions that I am partial to all Disporum and Prosartes species; there is a subtle elegance in the way they grow and carry themselves, not equaled by many other plants. Some may see it and some may not….obviously I like them very much!

Of course that one needs to see them grow and flower in order to appreciate their beauty, which is not an easy task. They are absent from regular garden centres and even specialized nurseries do not offer too many such species. Luckily they adapt well and are easy growing in the garden.

Yellow mandarin makes a great plant for the woodland garden. It flowers right after the Uvularia and Trillium grandiflorum have bloomed.  Other good native companions: Claytonia virginica, Asarum canadense, Jeffersonia diphylla, Hydrophyllum virginianum, Viola canadensis, Stylophorum diphyllum…to mention just a few.

It it is not difficult to grow from seeds: fresh seeds need to be sown in early fall and the pots kept outdoors to allow the natural variations in temperature (slightly warm – fall – cold -winter). Always keep an eye for the fresh seeds offered usually in September.

Prosartes lanuginosa (Michx.) D.Don seeds

Prosartes lanuginosa in habitat

Prosartes lanuginosa seedlings

Prosartes lanuginosa seedlings April 2020

Prosartes lanuginosa seedlings

Prosartes lanuginosa 3 years old seedlings

The season of ten thousand flowers

The season of ten thousand flowers has begun and the title of this haiku describes very well what is happening in this part of Ontario: the sudden rise of temperatures in mid April results in the overlapping flowering of many spring wildflowers.

This, of course, coincides with many garden tasks, which all need to be done asap, plus new plantings, all which are best done before the summer heat settles in.

The Corydalis tried to flower earlier, but then a wave of cold air stopped them for a while. Right now all are blooming together with Hepaticas, Sanguinaria, Helleborus, Jeffersonia dubia, various Draba and Primula species, plus few Pulsatilla…

Considering the time of flowering, Hepatica seeds will mature somewhere at the end of May this year.

With Corydalis we may never know; notably mama bumblebees (their major pollinator) haven’t made an apparition yet.

The next postings will feature previous writings on Hepatica, unless I have something notable new to add.

Enjoy the long-awaited spring, which will surely merge fast into the summer!

A short Corydalis summary especially for those new to the blog (also see the related posts).

Growing Corydalis solida & allies from seeds

Corydalis Easter edition 2022

Corydalis 2023

To finish about spring Corydalis

 

 

While waiting for spring…

Note: new orders are not accepted at this time (until further notice).

Considering the current weather, the ‘real’ spring will be delayed this year and most likely we’ll enjoy our beloved spring flowering native species a bit later than usual.

The spring of 2020, a Covid year, was similar. Combined with the traveling restrictions I had plenty of time to write and emphasize about various native species growing in my garden; most of them grown from seeds of course!
While doing it, I was enjoying the true spring harbingers, which are non-natives. Truth is, all very early spring flowering plants in our cold climate: the snowdrops, reticulate irises, crocuses…are non-native species, and I wouldn’t be without any of them. There is always plenty of space for both categories 😉

Looking back, it is nice to note the progress in my garden: the patches of wild ginger have greatly expanded and I already divided them, same goes for the mayapple and the waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum). Many seedlings shown back then are now at flowering and fruiting stage!

It is worth repeating, at the beginning of a new season when everyone gets easily excited, that depending on the region where we garden and the particularities of our garden, we have to think carefully what native (and non-native) species may adapt and grow well for us. As much as we would like, we cannot grow all of them.
Like I said at the time, “trying to use locations in the garden that reproduce the native habitat is the key to their happiness”.

Click on the green links, review, take notes, make garden plans and spring will soon arrive!
Spring in time of covid III – about Allium tricoccum (wild leeks), Stylophorum diphyllum (woodland poppy), Primula mistassinica, bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis).

Primula mistassinica, late April/May

Sanguinaria canadensis

Stylophorum diphyllum

Spring in time of covid IV – about native plants for moist areas, Indian paintbrushes (Castilleja), Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) and other Irises, Parnassia, Lobelia, Zigadenus….Castilleja coccinea has even flowered one year and few self-sown seedlings may continue the show.

Castilleja coccinea garden, June 2023

Iris versicolor, late April, May

Parnassia glauca, summer

Spring in time of covid V – about other woodland species like Asarum canadense (wild ginger), Caulophyllum (blue cohosh), Prosartes lanuginosa (yellow mandarin).

Asarum-canadense-Maianthemum

Caulophyllum giganteum

Prosartes lanuginosa seedlings April 2020

More about other native species in the “Wildflowers” category posts.
Hepatica species have a whole page dedicated to them!

Also use the “Search” tab: write the plant name you are interested in and if something was written, it will show up. Want to know about the golden seal? (Hydrastis canadense) just write the name and all post will line-up.

Note: new orders are not accepted at this time (until further notice).

Friday’s seeds and Rhamnus alnifolia portrait

Did you know that we have a Canadian native buckthorn? It is not weedy, it doesn’t have thorns, and more than this, it grows as a small size shrub, so it doesn’t take a lot of space. It is never a good idea to stereotype 😉
The seeds were limited as availability, and of course, those who watch the Seeds List got hold of them, but winter is a good time to talk and learn about another not so well-known native plant.

Rhamnus alnifolia, the Alder-leaves Buckthorn or Dwarf alder, is a very cold hardy, native shrub of many regions of Canada, from BC to Newfoundland (plus North Central US). Widespread in some regions and localized in others, it is easy to recognize if one happens to stumble upon, mainly by its nice, shiny foliage (of course, you will have to check all the other characters).

The Alder-leaves Buckthorn is a thornless, deciduous shrub with shiny, conspicuous alternate leaves: lanceolate-oblong to elliptical with (4)5-7 secondary veins, margins crenate. As you notice, the common name alludes to the alder leaf similarity. It is a small size,  +/- 1 m shrub, that inhabits wetlands, fens (generally calcareous) swamps, wet meadows, forest edges and streambanks.

Rhamnus alnifolia

Rhamnus alnifolia flowers

Rhamnus alnifolia fruits

As seen  in the image above, the flowers are inconspicuous: female and male flowers develop on different plants in May-July (plants are dioecious). They are solitary or in small inflorescences and have 5 greenish sepals; fruits are bluish-black, ornamental, and develop in the fall.

Rhamnus alnifolia stones; 1 mm grid

Rhamnus alnifolia habitat

The bluish-black drupes can contain up to 3 ‘stones’ (which we call seeds). Most surely, the stones require cold/moist stratification for good germination (i.e. sowing in late fall/early winter).

In cultivation, the Alder-leaves buckthorn would be a great shrubby addition for those with a relatively wet area in the garden and for naturalization projects.

If we draw inspiration from nature, good companion plants for the Alder-leaves buckthorn would be: various goldenrods (Solidago), White snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), Lobelia species, Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa, i.e. Dasiphora), Thalictrum pubescens, Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor), Gentianopsis, Triantha glutinosa, Ladies tresses (Spiranthes), Sarracenia, Myrica gale and many other species for moist locations.

 

 

Friday’s seeds & plant portrait: Eriophorum virginicum

I am very happy to notice that more people are willing to grow species listed in the Grasses & related genera category, which contains various grasses per se and sedges, most of them unrepresented in our gardens for no good reason.

Eriophorum virginicum on the shoreline of Lake Huron, ON.

Eriophorum virginicum, Tawny cottongrass, Rusty cottongrass, or Hare’s Tail cottongrass has been added, mostly by mistake, from my desire to use a few seedheads in a vase.
The whitish fluffy seeds-heads, contrasting with the first fall colors of surrounding landscapes are always very attractive. Of course, I should have known better…. they disintegrate easily at maturity.

So, those with possibilities, meaning a wet area (which doesn’t have to be very large) and acidic substrate, have something new to grow and add to their collection of native plants.

The scientific name of the genus Eriophorum derives from the Greek words erion (cotton or wool) and phoros (bearing). The common name is a reference to the cottony nature of the fruiting heads.
All species have +/- the same cotton-like fruiting heads and they are mostly white color. In case of the Tawny cottongrass they are brownish-yellow in color (at full maturity).

Tawny cottongrass can be found in open areas in bogs, conifer swamps, low, wet depressions on rocks, wet meadows.
This species is easily distinguished from other North American Eriophorum species because it is flowering and fruiting later in the season; the spikelets are usually maturing in August and have a rather brownish color. There are of course other methods of ID, but we can keep it simple in this case.

It is a sedge, with slender, grass-like leaves; rhizomatous. The fruiting heads are covered with a cottony mass, and the fruits are 3-angled, brown to black achenes with silky, tawny, hair-like bristles longer than the achenes; one of those situations when the fruits are commonly called seeds. The hairs help with the distribution by wind or water.

Eriophorum virginicum fruithead and achenes

Besides their ornamental fruitheads, Eriophorum species also have wildlife value, with the foliage consumed by many small and large mammals and various birds feeding on their seeds.
There are also reports of consumption by Indigenous People of the young stem bases and the roots of the Slender Cotton-grass, E. gracile (raw or cooked).
Also, the seeds hairs have been used to make candle wicks and for stuffing pillows.

 

Old & new

Those interested can find the following native species seeds back in stock:
Diervilla lonicera, Lilium michiganense, Lespedeza violacea and Thalictrum pubescens.

New for this year:

Ageratina altissima (aka. Eupatorium rugosum)

Ageratina altissima, formerly Eupatorium rugosum, the White Snakeroot, is a plant mostly found growing in part-shaded woodland settings with conspicuous clusters of small white flowers which are very beneficial for the pollinators in late summer to early fall.

However, being extremely adaptable it can also grow in full sun, in which case it needs more moisture.
It is from such a mother-plant, growing on Killarney’s granitic shorelines, that the seeds were collected: notice how part of the foliage takes a beautiful, dark purple color in this case.

There is in fact a cultivar of this species named ‘Chocolate’ with dark foliage year- round.

 

 

 

Greater fringed gentian

I am also very happy to offer seeds of the Greater Fringed gentian – Gentianopsis crinita from the beautiful garden of Anna’s  Perennials & Gardens!

The Greater fringed gentian  attracts attention with a magnificent flower display in late summer. The mauve, large flowers with fringed petals are a sight to behold.
It is a biennial species that reseeds in proper conditions (moisture needed), so do not be shy to give it a try. It is one of the first species I will sow this fall.

The days and nights are getting cooler and it feels like true fall now – a reminder that the moist packed seeds in stock will remain available until early winter only depending on the temperatures!

Things I’d like to grow

Alas, it is not possible at my location; or some species would need an artificially constructed bog.

Chamaedaphne calyculata, leatherleaf

Firstly, the beautiful evergreen leatherleaf: Chamaedaphne calyculata which inhabits edges of the ponds, bogs and swamps. It’s been quite a few years since I got the chance to collect a few seeds, actually 2017 when I also provided a plant portrait: Belated Friday’s seeds.
 
The sole member of the genus Chamaedaphne (Ericaceae), leatherleaf is a low growing evergreen small shrub (up to 1.5 m tall). It is native to the cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere from North America, NE Europe to N. Japan, Mongolia and Siberia, where grows in all types of bogs, sedge fens, and open wetlands.

It is characteristic of mature and late stages of moss – shrub communities, where it forms colonies, with rhizomes spreading in the sphagnum moss. It actually helps the installation of other species with whom is found growing, like: Sarracenia, Drosera, Kalmia polifolia, Oclemena, Ledum groenlandicum, Myrica gale, American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and other Vaccinium species.

For those who have proper conditions, it is more than worth to try and grow the leatherleaf from seeds (I never heard of a specialized nursery offering plants).

Drosera rotundifolia

With the same requirements, new to the Seeds List, Drosera rotundifolia, of which I never had the pleasure to collect seeds until this fall.

The seeds stock has also been replenished for Drosera intermedia – shown in the featured image. Looking at the picture one might wrongfully assume that it is a rockery plant! In fact it grew in a crack of bare rock sitting in a wet area. It can definitely fool us :) Carnivorous aficionados have the occasion now to grow a trio of: D. linearis, D. intermedia and D. rotundifolia.

Another wetlands inhabitant is the interesting bog aster which bears the name Oclemena nemoralis. Looking at the flower anyone could call it aster, while the foliage, almost linear leaves with recurved margins, tells a different story. It is a species flowering in late summer-early fall, and only a few heads were ‘fluffy’, but maybe someone wants to give it a try.

 

Oclemena nemoralis flower

Oclemena nemoralis foliage

Oclemena nemoralis seed heads

Exploring the nature always gives a chance to learn about new plants, you only need to keep your eyes wide open! If we have proper conditions in our garden, we can then try to recreate small ‘pieces’ of wilderness. If we don’t, at least we learned something new!

Campanula rotundifolia complex

Well, I don’t like it but I should write something about this Campanula, which is offered in the Shop (seeds).

Once upon a time, when life was easier, Campanula rotundifolia L. was considered a single species with a widespread distribution and with many variable forms depending on the geographic range.

The situation is reflected by the many synonyms accumulated over the years for this species including: Campanula alaskana, C. arctica, C. gieseckeana, C. intercedens, C. petiolata and so on….

Time has passed, and like with many other things in life, people from various parts of the world started to look more closely at the harebell, with newer tools and fresh eyes. It is an extremely variable pretty plant, so we cannot blame them.

Among other articles, I also managed to find on-line, a partial treatment for Campanulaceae for Flora of North America, which I recommend to be read entirely.
https://inaturalist.ca/posts/86696-campanula-partial-treatment-for-flora-of-north-america

For those who want a very short resume:
Firstly, it seems that the species has colonized NA in a single event from European ancestors, then it diverged into separate morphotypes.

Campanula rotundifolia populations in North America are represented by diploids, tetraploids and hexaploids which occur in a ‘matrix’ according with S. G. Shetler who studied C. rotundifolia in North America and is of the opinion that “the tetraploids form a ‘groundmass,’ and the others might turn up anywhere”. (!)

He has been able to differentiate four ‘races’ in NA based on plants morphology: the “Alaskan Race”, the “Arctic Race”, the “Eastern Race” and the “Cordilleran Race” (please follow the above link for more explanations and relative descriptions).
Very important I think is this note: “in any particular location plants may be found with any combination of morphologies mentioned above, or populations with the features of one or more “races” may occur together or in the same general area”.

If all these ‘races’ will be formally recognized as distinct species, I don’t know. I notice that on WFO C. rotundifolia and C. gieseckeana are listed as accepted.

Campanula rotundifolia L. in Bruce pen., likely what is given now as Campanula gieseckeana

I will personally wait for a general consensus and a complete treatment of Campanulaceae published in Flora of North America, so we can follow the traditional keys for identification. We will follow closely this ‘story’ of and wait for the ‘happy ending’.

With this in mind, it is important to note the seeds collection locations.

Regarding the seeds offered in BotanyCa Shop – all seeds offered as Campanula rotundifolia, of any year, were collected in Ontario on the shorelines of Lake Huron (Bruce peninsula and Killarney).

I also grew plants from the latest collection and after a very close look with the measuring tape in hand out in the garden, our current plants/seeds qualify ‘somewhat’ into to the “Eastern race” as described by S. G. Shetler, with the decumbent stems and very particular ‘ribbonlike leaves’  (currently presented as Campanula intercedens on iNaturalist).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=905640

I would also note that height and vigor will vary greatly depending on the garden location: shorter, more upright plants in a full sun/dry location versus a much taller plant in part-shade and more moisture.

Campanula rotundifolia – Killarney, ON in full sun

Campanula rotundifolia, C. intercedens in part-shade

Campanula rotundifolia, C. intercedens, Killarney

So, for now I changed the title in the Shop to:
Campanula rotundifolia L.– Killarney, ON
somewhat equivalent to Campanula intercedens Witasek
If you grew plants from seeds purchased in the last two years from BotanyCa Shop, please mark this change in your labels/records.