What's New with Native Flowers

One of the characteristics is that they have a favourite source of plants and gardening supplies. This is a place that they trust for quality, information and a good chance to find something new. A favourite spot of mine is Wildflower Farm. I found this nursery several years ago when I first embarked upon using native plants in my garden.

Like a bee to pollen, I was first attracted to them because their website is a great source of information about different types of native plants and how to care for them. I then had the opportunity to visit their farm and see first hand the wonderful selection and quality of plants they have, not to mention knowledgeable staff who helped me choose those plants that would have the most chance of survival in my garden. The plants that I picked up on that first visit still thrive all these years later!

A few weeks ago at the Canada Blooms Show I had the opportunity to speak with Miriam Goldberger, one of the owners of Wildflower Farm. She filled me in on what native plants she is most excited about this year. In our brief conversation she identified four that were at the top of her list. They are:

Purple Poppy Mallow: sun loving plant that grows less then 1', that produces non-stop show of bright cup-shaped violet flowers from July to October.

Tennessee Coneflower: this is a long blooming pink flower that grows 1'-2' and likes full sun. It was thought to be extinct for half a century and is still listed on the endangered species list of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. All the plants provided by Wildflower Farm are come from seed produced on the farm

Wild Petunia: the trumpet shaped violet coloured Wild Petunia grows about 1' high in dry soil conditions with full sun. Because of it's size and water requirements it is a good choice for rock gardens.

Hairy Beardtongue: This plant has lavender coloured trumpet shaped flowers has a height of 1' - 3', happy in full sun to part shade, moderately dry soil conditions. For the most impact it is recommended to plant this flower in groups.

Happily, these are just a few of the hundreds of native plants available!

If you have the chance to visit their farm just north of Barrie in Coldwater, Ontario I highly recommend it!