Save the Bees! Wildflower Mix

Nature & Nurture Seeds

$5.99

2.2 mL (covers 100sq ft)
VALUE SIZE: 11 mL (covers 500 sqft)

Bee the change you want to see in the world and plant for pollinators! This collection of plants provides food and habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.

This packet of Michigan native, perennial, wildflowers contains plants that attract and provide necessary food and habitat for bees, pollinators, and other insects. Native plants provide needed biodiversity that is so often lacking in many landscapes. In collaboration with Greg Vaclavek of the Native Plant Nursery, we have selected plants that will provide a display of bloom progressing through the growing season. Plants range in height from 3-6 feet tall and require a full sun location. Once established they are relatively low maintenance. Although they may re-seed, in our experience, none of these plants will become excessively “weedy.” Since perennial plants can take a few years to get established, we recommend sowing annual/biennial plants with this native plant seed to fill in the area and keep weeds out for the first few years - try Blanket Flower, Hopi Red Dye Amaranth, Dyer’s Coreopsis, Calendula, Cosmos or Evening Primrose. Seeds are Midwest genotype. Packet covers 100 sq ft

Mix includes: Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa), Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), Hairy Beard-tongue (Penstemon hirsutus), Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia Siphilitica), Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum), Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum), Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), Smooth Aster, (Aster laevis), Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida).

For more information about ecological restoration see http://www.wildones.org/.

For more info about native plants and beneficial insects, see http://nativeplants.msu.edu/.

The Native Plant Nursery database provides an excellent resource for ethical seed collecting:  http://www.nativeplant.com/plants/search/input.

Seeds require a “cold stratification” or cold treatment before they will germinate. To start seeds inside, mix the seeds into ½ cup of moist sand (or paper towel) and place in a sealed plastic bag and place in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks before planting May-July. Alternatively, sow seeds outside in late summer, fall or early spring (before March 1st) so they are naturally exposed to the cold. Plant in full sun location. Prepare area by removing weeds and loosen soil surface with a rake. Hand broadcast (sow) seeds evenly over area. Water seeds with a light sprinkle after sowing. From seed, these plants can take 1-3 years to become established and large enough to flower. We also recommend sowing annual plant seeds to fill in the area until the native plants get established. Try Blanket Flower, Hopi Red Dye Amaranth, Dyer’s Coreopsis, Calendula, or Cosmos. Seed packet covers 100 sq ft.