What Native Forb Seeds are Ready for Harvesting at This Time?

Wildflower corners are easy to maintain, but once gone, they are hard to rebuild.

Aldo Leopold

Each year, I will post a few articles on an occasional basis each of which will feature a local wildflower whose seeds have ripened and will be ready for your harvesting at that time should you wish to add those native plants to your garden or home landscape.

Each article contains information regarding:

  • seed collection,
  • processing of harvested seed and storage, and
  • propagation by seed.

For my subscribers, you’ll automatically be notified when I post the next segment of this ongoing series.  Otherwise, simply check back and view the homepage to read the latest segment.  Past posts as well as those scheduled to be published are listed below.  Read on!

 

Ethics of Harvesting Wildflower Seeds

SOURCE:                                                                                https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-02/Native%20Plant%20Seed%20Saving%20Resources.pdf

PLEASE NOTE:  It is a violation of the Environmental Conservation Law §9-1503 to collect or destroy listed plants without the permission of the landowner. The regulation gives landowners additional rights to prosecute people who collect plants without permission.

Other Helpful Resources:

Also, please consider viewing this excellent 90-minute video entitled How to Collect and Sow Native Plant Seeds.  It is quite comprehensive in its content and, while it focuses on plants in Illinois, it nevertheless contains many species also found locally.

View my Native Forb Seed Harvesting Calendar.  PLEASE NOTE:  This calendar is subject to change with the addition of more featured species.  Please check back.

Native forbs whose seeds are ready for harvesting in –

May:

  • Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) = scheduled for 5/22/2024

June:

  • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) = scheduled for 6/12/2024

July:

  • Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis) = scheduled for 7/24/2024

August:

  • Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) = posted on 8/23/2023
  • Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) = scheduled for 8/7/2024
  • Goldthread (Coptis trifolia) = scheduled for 8/21/2024
  • Large Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) = scheduled for 8/28/2024
  • Tall Meadow Rue (Thalictrum pubescens) = TBD
  • White Avens (Geum canadense) = TBD

September:

  • Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea canadensis) = posted on 9/6/2023
  • Mad-dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) = posted on 9/13/2023
  • Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) = posted on 9/20/2023
  • Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) = scheduled for 9/4/2024
  • Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris) = TBD
  • Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) = TBD
  • Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea) = TBD
  • False Solomon’s-seal (Maianthemum racemosum) = TBD
  • Flat-topped Aster (Doellingeria umbellata) = TBD
  • Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) = TBD
  • Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) = TBD
  • Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata) = TBD
  • Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) = TBD
  • Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum) = TBD
  • Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) = TBD
  • Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) = TBD
  • Tall Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana) = TBD
  • Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) = TBD
  • Woodland Agrimony (Agrimonia striata) = TBD

October:

  • Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) = posted on 10/4/2023
  • Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) = posted on 10/11/2023
  • Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima ssp. altissima) = posted on 10/18/2023
  • Hairy White Old-field Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum) = posted on 10/25/2023
  • Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) = TBD
  • Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata) = TBD
  • Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) = TBD
  • White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata) = TBD
  • Wrinkle-leaved Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa var. rugosa) = TBD
  • Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) = TBD
  • Large-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla) = TBD
  • New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) = TBD
  • New York Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) = TBD
  • Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) = TBD

November:

As you prepare to transplant any seedlings that you may have raised indoors from your harvested seeds, please be mindful of when the last local frost occurs in the spring by checking out this online resource.

Happy harvesting!

Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.

Anonymous