Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - November 27, 2009
From: Portland, OR
Region: Northwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Timing for planting wildflower seeds in the Pacific Northwest
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Do you think it is better to sow wildflower seeds in the Pacific NW in the Fall/early Winter or Spring?ANSWER:
Generally, the best plan for planting wildflower seeds is to follow Mom Nature's schedule, i.e., plant the seeds when the seeds would normally mature and be dispersed. Here is a quote from our How to Article, "Meadow Gardening":
"Fall is the best time to plant many native species in Central Texas. Some seeds need a chilling period (cold stratification) to break their dormancy, while others have hard seed coats that need to be worn down or scarified before they can germinate. Sowing seeds in the fall often provides the conditions necessary to break seed dormancy. Warm, wet, spring weather then induces the seeds to germinate. Ideally, native seeds should be planted following nature's seeding schedule."
Although this article was written with Central Texas in mind, the same principles would apply for planting seeds of native plants no matter what the region. You can determine the bloom times for most species of wildflowers found in your area by looking them up in our Native Plant Database and estimate that their seeds will begin to be ripe several weeks after the earliest bloom time. So, certainly, the fall-maturing seeds should be sown now, but also those that matured in the summer and lost their seeds then. There is a good chance that they need to experience cold temperatures in order for them to break their dormancy to germinate, grow and bloom next spring. That said, many wildflower seeds will germinate and grow just fine if you plant them in the spring, but your best bet is to plant them in the fall or early winter so that they experience winter temperatures.
You can search in our National Suppliers Directory to find native wildflower seeds for your area.
More Propagation Questions
Propagation of yellow columbine
November 03, 2004 - I purchased a yellow columbine, Aquilegia chrysantha and your website says it grows in moist upland soils, and yet it shows their habitat as Utah, Arizona, NM, and sw Texas. Tell me how it can...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Pacific dogwood
November 21, 2015 - When do I plant Pacific dogwood seeds?
How deep and far apart should they be planted?
The elevation will be around 5k.
view the full question and answer
Restoring and propagating rhododendrons
October 18, 2006 - I have 70+ year old native rhododendrons (16+ feet high) in my backyard. After all these years they are beginning to get dammaged by snow load and ice. Therefore I have 2 quesitons concerning these b...
view the full question and answer
What to do with agave after it blooms from Phoenix AZ
March 12, 2013 - Hello!
I have 2 century plants in the process of blooming. How exciting!! I've never really seen it before.
Anyway, what do I then do with the dying/dead plant. Simply dig it up and trash it?
T...
view the full question and answer
Growing Big Red Sage from Seed in San Antonio
November 04, 2010 - I harvested some seed this year from my Big Red Salvia (Salvia penstemonoides). I have searched multiple sites looking for information on growing this wonderful salvia but cannot locate any informati...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |