Old Blue Seed Co. is proud to announce the limited release of a 2012 Willamette Valley native wildflower seed mix. Until now, seed for these species were available only to habitat restoration projects and large lot owners, but these small batches of high-quality seed are perfect for homeowners and gardeners who want to propagate their own patch of truly native Willamette Valley prairie. The seed included in this mix is all grown from seed collected off remnant populations of imperiled wildflowers throughout the Willamette Valley ecoregion.
This showy mix of Willamette Valley native annual wildflowers will provide vital nectar and pollen resources for bees and other pollinators. For more information on the diversity of insect species attracted to these plants, see the Xerces Society website or Bug Guide.
Planting Instructions:
For best results, seed rows into cultivated ground with no grass or weed competition. You may also broadcast the mix and cover lightly with potting soil. Soil contact with the seed is important for germination, so pressing the seed into the soil or walking over the site after broadcasting is recommended. The best time to plant is September-November, although several species will germinate and bloom if seeded in March and watered during early dry spells. If seeded in fall, flowering will begin in late April and continue until late September. Old Blue Seed Co.’s 1/8 ounce seed packages will cover about 30 square feet, more if seeded in rows.
The Willamette Valley Pollinator Prairie Native Wildflower Mix includes: (plus Phlox gracilis)
Seablush (above: Plectritis congesta) attracts a wide diversity of bumblebees and is a nectar source for the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly. Seablush has also been purported to be a host plant for Checkerspot butterflies. It will be the first flower of the mix to bloom in spring.
Blue-eyed Mary (above left: Collinsia grandiflora) blooms along with seablush.
Blue gilia (above right: Gilia capitata) attracts a diversity of species, including the blister beetle pictured on the left. It blooms after seablush and blue-eyed Mary.
Varied-leaf Phacelia (above: Phacelia heterophylla) is common on disturbed sites in the foothills of the Willamette Valley. Although the brown flowers aren’t much to look at they really bring in the bees. Phacelia will start to bloom along with the Gilia and will continue for about a month.
Photo: Nathan Miller
Small flowered lupine (Lupinus polycarpus) lives up to its name with tiny delicate flowers.
Photo: Nathan Miller
Grand Collomia (above: Collomia grandiflora) shows a great contrast of colors, peachy salmon flowers with blue anthers inside.
The Clarkias (above: Clarkia amoena, below left: Clarkia rhomboidea) start blooming at the beginning of summer, hence the common name “farewell to spring.” They are visited by a wide variety of bees.
Showy tarweed (above right: Madia elegans) is an attractive species despite its unfortunate common name. The flowers open during the cool hours of the morning and evening. The various species of Madia in the northwest were used extensively by native tribes for their oil-rich seeds.
Photo: Nathan Miller
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a somewhat controversial species among Willamette Valley botanists. It is thought that most of the truly native populations have been extirpated or outcrossed with commercial strains. California poppy is included it in this mix because it is easy to grow and has a long bloom period, producing a significant quantity of bright orange pollen. According to most sources, it is native to open habitats south of the Columbia River.
Old Blue Seed Co. is developing several unique seed mixes for late summer/fall 2012. If you have any questions or input on what you would like to see in a native seed mix, email oldblueseedco@gmail.com.
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