Let’s Plant BC Wildflowers

Showy Milkweed (Belle Asclépiade)

Asclepias speciosa

Image of Showy Milkweed from the Let's Plant Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Prairie Wildflowers page

Showy Milkweed photo courtesy of Let’s Plant

How to germinate

Most wild plant seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. To grow these plants anywhere, you must first break this dormancy mechanism, which will allow the seed to grow. This species has specific germination instructions. It has a germination code of C(30), which means you have to artificially stratify the seeds for 30 days, or sow seeds outdoors in the fall to over-winter naturally to see germination the following spring.  Please review the online germination code handbook for more information. 

How to plant

Once stratification is complete, sow the seeds outdoors into well-weeded, thin rows, ⅛ inch deep into the soil. Ensure the seeds are spaced 20–45 cm apart.

  • This plant needs full sun exposure, and medium, medium-dry, or dry soil conditions to grow. 
  • Can it be chelsea chopped? Yes
  • Can it be aggressive? Yes

Characteristics

  • Life cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 3 feet (90 cm)
  • Spread: 1–2.5 feet (30–75 cm)
  • Blooming time: June–August
  • Blooming colour: Purple
  • Stratification: Yes

Lance-leaf Coreopsis (Coréopsis lancéolé)

Coreopsis lanceolata

Image of Lance-leaf Coreopsis from the Let's Plant Ontario, Quebec, and BC Wildflowers page

Lance-leaf Coreopsis photo courtesy of Let’s Plant

How to germinate

Most wild plant seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. To grow these plants anywhere, you must first break this dormancy mechanism, which will allow the seed to grow. This species has specific germination instructions. It has a germination code of C(30), which means you have to artificially stratify the seeds for 30 days, or sow seeds outdoors in the fall to over-winter naturally to see germination the following spring. Please review the online germination code handbook for more information. 

How to plant

Once stratification is complete, sow the seeds outdoors into well-weeded, thin rows, ⅛ inch deep into the soil. Ensure the seeds are spaced 20–45 cm apart.

  • This plant needs full sun exposure, and medium-dry or dry soil conditions to grow.
  • Can it be chelsea chopped? Yes
  • Can it be aggressive? Yes

Characteristics

  • Life cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 2 feet (60 cm)
  • Spread: 1–2 feet (30–60 cm)
  • Blooming time: May–August
  • Blooming colour: Yellow
  • Stratification: Yes

Wild Bergamot (Monarde Fistuleuse)

Monarda fistulosa

Image of Wild Bergamot from the Let's Plant Ontario, Quebec, BC, Prairie, and Maritime Wildflowers page

Wild Bergamot photo courtesy of Let’s Plant

How to germinate

This species has the germination code A, meaning no pre-treatment is required for it. Please review the online germination code handbook for more information.

How to plant

Direct sow on weed-free plot at a depth of ⅛ inches. 

  • This plant needs full or partial sun exposure, and medium-wet, medium, or medium-dry soil conditions to grow.
  • Can it be chelsea chopped? Yes
  • Can it be aggressive? Somewhat, but can be easily contained.

Characteristics

  • Life cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 2–4 feet tall (60–120 cm)
  • Spread: 2–3 feet wide (60–90 cm)
  • Blooming time: July–September
  • Blooming colour: Purple
  • Stratification: None

Common Evening Primrose (Onagre Bisannuelle)

Oenothera biennis

Image of Common Evening Primrose from the Let's Plant Ontario, Quebec, BC, Prairie, and Maritime Wildflowers page

Common Evening Primrose photo courtesy of Let’s Plant

How to germinate

No pre-treatment is required for this species, but the seeds are very small or need light to naturally germinate. This means that the seeds should be surface sown with no soil cover applied, or just a light dusting. This species has the germination codes A, D, and G. Please review the online germination code handbook for more information.

How to plant

Outdoor sowing between late fall and early spring, on a weed-free plot, clear of vegetation is recommended for this plant.

  • This plant needs full or partial sun exposure and medium-wet, medium, medium-dry, or dry soil conditions. Rocky or sandy soils are recommended. 
  • Can it be chelsea chopped? Yes
  • Can it be aggressive? Yes

Characteristics

  • Life cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 6 feet (180 cm)
  • Spread: 1–2 feet (30–60 cm)
  • Bloom time: June–October 
  • Bloom colour: Yellow
  • Stratification: None

Grey Stemmed/Old Field Goldenrod (Solidage ruguese)

Solidago nemoralis

Image of Grey Stemmed Goldenrod from the Let's Plant BC Wildflowers page

Grey Stemmed Goldenrod photo courtesy of Let’s Plant

How to germinate

Most wild plant seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. To grow these plants anywhere, you  must first break this dormancy mechanism, which will allow the seed to grow. It has a germination code of C(60), which means you have to artificially stratify the seeds for 60 days, or sow seeds outdoors in the fall to over-winter naturally to see germination the following spring. It also has the germination code D, meaning these seeds are very small and may need light to naturally break the dormancy mechanisms. Please review the online germination code handbook for more information. 

How to plant

Once stratification is complete, surface sow the seeds ⅛ inch deep into the soil, ensuring they are only lightly covered with soil.  

  • This plant needs full or partial sun exposure, and medium-dry or dry soil conditions to grow.
  • Chelsea Chopped (a pruning method)? Yes
  • Can it be aggressive? No

Characteristics

  • Life cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 2 feet (60 cm)
  • Spread: 1–2 feet (30–60 cm)
  • Blooming time: June–October
  • Blooming colour: Yellow
  • Stratification: Yes 

Smooth Blue Aster (Aster à feuilles lisses)

Symphyotrichum laeve

Image of Smooth Blue Aster from the Let's Plant Ontario and Quebec Wildflowers page

Smooth Blue Aster photo courtesy of Let’s Plant

How to germinate

This species has the germination code A, meaning there is no pre-treatment required for the seeds. Please review the online germination code handbook for more information.

How to plant

Outdoor sowing in spring, on a weed-free plot, clear of vegetation is recommended for this plant species. Place seed no deeper than ⅛ inch into the soil and light cover with soil. Gently water after seeds have been sowed.

  • This plant needs full or partial sun exposure in medium-wet, medium, or medium-dry soil.
  • Chelsea Chopped (a pruning method)? Yes
  • Can it be aggressive? No

Characteristics

  • Life cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 4 feet (120 cm)
  • Spread: 1–3 feet (30–90 cm)
  • Bloom time: August–October
  • Bloom colour: Blue
  • Stratification: None