While many people think of planting in the summer, native seed plantings perform well when installed in the late Fall when soil temperatures fall below 50 degrees. This allows the seed to go through its natural stratification process during the winter months and encourages germination the following spring. As a matter of fact, many native species' seeds REQUIRE winter stratification in order to germinate. So, if you plant them in the Spring, and they have not yet been stratified (either outside or in the refrigerator for 2-3 months) you won't see them at all until the next year's Spring. Spring ephemerals (very early Spring bloomers) are a good example of species that need to be planted in the Fall because they germinate so early, sometimes as early as January or February.
Photo: Anne Milligan, April of 2021
Iris Virginica (Southern Blue Flag Iris) in one of our rain gardens. To learn more about native plant species:
Let the Earth Breathe: Gardening With Native Plants
