Everything you need to know to grow a beautiful flower garden with the Seed Library. Helianthus Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 110 Light: Sun Spacing: 18” Height: 24” - 144” Depth: ½” Water: 1” per week Germination: 7 - 21 days Notes: Wide mix of color and size; may require support. Aquilegia Canadensis Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors 3 - 4 weeks before the last spring frost or start indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 10” - 17” Height: 24” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 21 days Notes: Likes cold stratification; doesn’t bloom first year. Agastache Foeniculum Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 90 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 12” - 16” Height: 36” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 1 - 4 weeks Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. Phlox Drummondii Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors 2 weeks before the last spring frost or start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 50 - 60 Light: Sun Spacing: 18” Height: 6” - 18” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week Germination: 5 - 10 days Notes: Drought & heat tolerant. *Please use caution when handling* Iris Domestica Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or start indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 90 Light: Sun, part shade Spacing: 24” Height: 12” - 24” Depth: ¼” Water: ½” per week Germination: 30 - 60 days Notes: deer resistant. Slow to germinate. Baptisia Australis Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or start indoors 5 weeks before the average temperature is consistently 50°F Harvest Days: 3 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 24” - 36” Height: 48” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 1 - 2 weeks Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. Asclepias Tuberosa Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 3 years Light: Sun Spacing: 12” - 36” Height: 24” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 14 - 21 days Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. Iberis Amara Annual Planting: Start indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 70 - 77 Light: Sun Spacing: 18” Height: 12” - 18” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week. Notes: Prefers dry, sunny locations. Campanula Medium Biennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 12” - 15” Height: 32” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 14 - 21 days Notes: Deadhead for more blooms. Lobelia Cardinalis Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors in the fall before the ground freezes Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 6” - 16” Height: 48” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 21 - 35 days Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. Short lived perennial with average life span of 3 to 5 years. Tolerant to seasonal flooding. Cleome Hassleriana Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors 3 - 4 weeks after the last spring frost or start indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 70 - 80 Light: Sun Spacing: 18” - 24” Height: 36” - 60” Depth: ⅛” Water: 1” per week Germination: 7 - 14 days Notes: Store in fridge until planting. Barely cover seeds to aid germination. *Please use caution when handling* Asclepias Syriaca Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors before the first fall frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 4” - 6” Height: 5’ Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 15 days Notes: Needs cold stratification; doesn’t bloom first year. Tagetes Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 80 Light: Sun Spacing: 15” - 18” Height: 24” Depth: ¼” - ½” Water: 1 ½” per week. Germination: 7 - 21 days. Notes: For earliest blooms, begin indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Great companion or sacrificial plant; Large blooms all summer. Shown to release a chemical compound that repels harmful nematodes if planted in the same area every year. Dianthus Barbatus Biennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 6” - 12” Height: 20” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 5 - 10 days Notes: Needs well-drained soil. Does not transplant well. Tropaeolum Minus Annual Planting: Start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost or direct sow. Harvest Days: 60 Light: Sun Spacing: 6” - 8” Height: 12” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week. Germination: 10 - 14 days. Notes: Relocate seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost. Thrives in poor soil; good choice for hanging baskets. Edible flowers taste like black pepper. Lathyrus Odoratus Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors once the soil is workable Harvest Days: 90 - 100 Light: Sun Spacing: 6” - 12” Height: 16” Depth: ½” - 1” Water: 2” per week Germination: 10 - 15 days Notes: Perfect in containers. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting. Mirabilis Jalapa Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 75 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 12” - 18” Height: 24” Depth: ½” Water: 1” per week. Germination: 7-14 days. Notes: For earliest blooms, begin indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Loved by pollinators; thrives in poor soil; blooms open in the afternoon. Often reseeds for years of blooms. Alcea Rosea Biennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 18” - 36” Height: 60” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week. Germination: 10 - 14 days. Notes: Massive, showy flowers; may bloom first year; may require staking. Rosa setigera Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors in the fall before the ground freezes Harvest Days: 3 - 4 years Light: Sun Spacing: 48” - 60” Height: 12’ Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: Double dormancy needed. Seeds will not sprout until spring of year three. Notes: Benefits from hard pruning every few years. Can be aggressive in smaller gardens. Eutrochium Maculatum Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or before the first fall frost Harvest Days: 3 years Light: Sun Spacing: 36” - 48” Height: 60” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 30 - 90 days Notes: Store seeds in the fridge for 30 - 60 days before planting. Benefits from cold stratification. Coreopsis Lanceolata Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 10” - 16” Height: 24” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 5 - 25 days Notes: Benefits from cold stratification *Please use caution when handling* Delphinium Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 80 - 90 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 10” - 12” Height: 48” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” - 1 ½” per week Germination: 14 - 21 days Notes: Seeds & leaves can irritate skin. *Please use caution when handling* Lupinus Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 12” - 14” Height: 40” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week Germination: 15 - 25 days Notes: Wash hands after handling; keep out of reach of pets. Soak seeds for 24 hrs before planting. Dahlia Variabilis Annual Planting: Start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 90 - 100 Light: Sun Spacing: 6” - 8” Height: 18” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 14 days Notes: Beautiful in bouquets. Benefits from regular deadheading. Eschscholzia Californica Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or start indoors 2 - 3 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 56 - 70 Light: Sun Spacing: 8” Height: 12” Depth: ¼” Water: ½” per week Germination: 14 - 21 days Notes: Readily reseeds. Do not overwater as they are prone to root rot. Deadhead flowers for extended bloom period. *Please use caution when handling* Ipomoea Alba Annual Planting: Start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 84 Light: Sun Spacing: 15” - 18” Height: 72” Depth: ½” Water: 1” per week; slightly more if leaves start to droop Germination: 4 - 14 days. Notes: Relocate outdoors after the last spring frost. Needs trellis support. Leaves and flowers are poisonous if ingested. Seeds germinate best when scratched with sandpaper or are lightly nicked with nail clippers, then soaked in water for 24 hours prior to planting. Blooms will not appear until days begin to shorten. *Please use caution when handling* Nicotiana Tabacum Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 75 - 90 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 12” - 18” Height: 24” - 36” Depth: ⅛” Water: 1” per week Germination: 1 - 3 weeks Notes: Avoid fertilizing; easy care. *Please use caution when handling* Tanacetum Coccineum Perennial Planting: Sow indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost or sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 1 - 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 12” Height: 3’ Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 14 days Notes: Wash hands after handling; keep out of reach of pets. Petunia x Hybrida Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors once soil temperatures reach 70° F or start indoors 10 - 12 weeks before the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 98 - 105 Light: Sun Spacing: 10” Height: 12” - 15” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” - 2” per week. Plants in containers may need more to remain hydrated. Germination: 14 days Notes: Water near soil to avoid leaf and root rot. Ideal in containers or at the front of a garden bed. Drought tolerant. Zinnia Elegans Annual Planting: Start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 65 Light: Sun Spacing: 8” - 10” Height: 15” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week Germination: 5 - 10 days Notes: Cutting blooms produces more flowers. Great flower for beginner gardeners. Avoid watering from above to avoid mildew. Liatris Pycnostachya Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors in the fall before the ground freezes Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 12” - 18” Height: 48” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week until plant is established Germination: 20 - 45 days Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. *Please use caution when handling* Asclepias Sullivantii Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors before the first fall frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 12” - 24” Height: 36” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 15 days Notes: Likes cold stratification; doesn’t bloom first year. Echinacea Purpurea Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or 6 weeks before the first fall frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 18” - 24” Height: 48” Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 21 days Notes: Great for beginner gardeners. Eryngium Yuccifolium Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 2 - 3 years Light: Sun Spacing: 18” - 24” Height: 48” Depth: ¼” Water: ½” per week Germination: 14 - 28 days Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. Hosts Black Swallowtail Butterflies. *Please use caution when handling* Asclepias Incarnata Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors before the first fall frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 18” - 36” Height: 36” - 60” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 15 days Notes: Likes cold stratification; doesn’t bloom first year. Cosmos Bipinnatus Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost Harvest Days: 85 Light: Sun Spacing: 12” Height: 36”- 48” Depth: Barely cover Water: After the plant has germinated it can go without being watered regularly. Water once or twice a week if the weather is unusually dry. Germination: 14 - 21 days. Notes: For earliest blooms, begin indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Easy growing; heat and drought tolerant. *Please use caution when handling* Asclepias Speciosa Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors before the first fall frost Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 24” - 36” Height: 36” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 10 - 15 days Notes: Likes cold stratification; doesn’t bloom first year. Silver Dollar Lunaria Annua Biennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors 1 - 2 weeks after the last spring frost or start indoors under a grow light in late winter Harvest Days: 85 - 95 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 4” - 6” Height: 1’ - 3’ Depth: ¼” Water: 1” per week Germination: 7 - 10 days Notes: Benefits from cold stratification. Antirrhinum Annual Planting: Start indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 100 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 3” - 4” Height: 8” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 7 - 14 days Notes: Blooms in cool temperatures. Helichrysum Bracteatum Annual Planting: Start indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Harvest Days: 75 - 80 Light: Sun Spacing: 12” - 18” Height: 40” Depth: ⅛” Water: 1” per week Germination: 6 - 15 days Notes: Dried blooms are long lasting. Lobularia Maritima Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or start indoors 5 - 6 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 56 Light: Sun, partial shade Spacing: 6” to 10” Height: 12” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 8 - 10 days Notes: Prefers cool temperatures. Verbena x Hybrida Annual Planting: Sow directly outdoors after the last spring frost or start indoors 8 - 10 weeks before the last spring frost Harvest Days: 60 - 90 Light: Sun Spacing: 10” - 12” Height: 8” Depth: ⅛” Water: 1” per week Germination: 14 - 28 days Notes: Long germination; start indoors. Monarda fistulosa Perennial Planting: Sow directly outdoors as soon as ground can be worked Harvest Days: 2 years Light: Sun Spacing: 12” - 36” Height: 48” Depth: Barely cover Water: 1” per week Germination: 7-14 days Notes: Leaves can be used for tea. One of the easiest natives to grow from seed. Can sustain periods of drought.All Sorts Sunflowers
American Columbine
Anise Hyssop
Annual Phlox
Blackberry Lily*
Blue Indigo
Butterfly Weed
Candytuft
Canterbury Bells
Cardinal Flower
Cleome
Common Milkweed*
Cracker Jack Marigolds
Double Tall Sweet William
Dwarf Nasturtiums
Dwarf Sweet Peas
Four O’Clocks
Hollyhocks
Illinois Rose
Joe Pye Weed
Lance-leaf Coreopsis
Larkspur*
Lupine*
Mignon Dahlia
Mission Bells Poppy Mix
Moonflower*
Nicotiana*
Painted Daisy*
Petunia Mix
Pompon Zinnia
Prairie Blazing Star
Prairie Milkweed*
Purple Coneflower
Rattlesnake Master
Rose Milkweed*
Sensation Cosmos
Showy Milkweed*
Silver Dollar
Snapdragons
Strawflower
Sweet Alyssum
Verbena
Wild Bergamot