Northern Wildflowers

03/03/2025

We are excited to be attending the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA) AGM this week in Edmonton! 🎉

Come visit us at the tradeshow to chat about all things seed-based restoration—from native seed mix designs to ecological restoration solutions. 🌱

We can’t wait to connect with industry professionals and share how our high-quality seed can support your reclamation projects - find us at booth 18. See you there, March 5th-7th!

📍 CLRA AGM

03/02/2025

You may not be thinking ahead to the nutrient management or problem solving parts of garden planning just yet. But, we're here to remind you it's a lot easier to handle nutrient deficiencies or other garden problems organically if you do a bit of preparation to set yourself up for success. This means having things on hand to treat common issues as soon as they pop up, and starting off the gardening season with healthy soils and resilience in mind.

Wood ash, egg shells, leaf mulch, and cardboard can all be excellent free garden supplies, but only if you think to hold onto them leading up to the gardening season.

Check out our blog post on 5 Components of Healthy Soil for some background on setting yourself up for strong soils. https://cstu.io/714429

02/27/2025

Heirloom Highlights: Red Kuri Squash 🎃

Red Kuri Squash is a stunning heirloom variety known for its deep reddish-orange skin and smooth, nutty flavor. This teardrop-shaped winter squash originates from Japan. The Red Kuri was developed on the island of Hokkaido and was bred from a hubbard squash to be smaller, thinner skinned, and have a nuttier flavour. It's also sometimes called the Hokkaido Pumpkin!

Its sweet, chestnut-like taste and creamy texture make it perfect for roasting, soups, and purees. Plus, it stores beautifully, offering homegrown flavour well into the colder months.

For growers, Red Kuri is a reliable producer with vigorous vines and good disease resistance. It thrives in warm weather and is ready for harvest in about 90–100 days. Give it plenty of space, and you’ll be rewarded with 3–5 pound squash that keep well for months.

Have you grown Red Kuri Squash? Share your experiences and favorite recipes in the comments!

02/26/2025

02/26/2025

Monarchs aren't the only migratory butterflies. Red Admirals and many other butterfly species observed in spring have made a long journey to us. The Red Admiral is one of the most commonly seed butterflies in North America.

Unlike monarchs, they don’t have a single known overwintering site. During migration, they can be found in a wide range of habitats, from tundra to the subtropics. In Canada, migrating Red Admirals typically appear in May, and in milder winters they can survive overwintering here.

The caterpillars of this species feed on plants in the Nettles family, but adult butterflies use a wide variety of plants for nectar including the Dense Blazingstar pictured.

02/25/2025

Some wildflowers can be both edible AND ornamental. Grow the Wild Tea Garden of your dreams!

When designing a garden, it is always fun when you can incorporate plants that serve multiple purposes. This simple design incorporates some of our wildflowers that double as delicious and medicinal teas, while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

These are our favourite wildflowers for teas, but some other additions could be Sweetfern, Wild Raspberry (raspberry leaves are commonly used for teas), and Wild Roses for rose hips.

https://northernwildflowers.ca/products/wild-tea-wildflower-collection?_pos=2&_sid=f90434840&_ss=r

02/24/2025

Chocolate Cherry Tomato 🍅🍫

If you're looking for a unique and delicious heirloom tomato variety to add to your garden, the Chocolate Cherry Tomato is a must-grow! With its rich, deep mahogany colour and sweet, slightly smoky flavour, this cherry tomato stands out both in taste and appearance.

Why Grow Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes?
🍅 Incredible Flavour – These little tomatoes are packed with a complex balance of sweetness and tang, making them ideal for snacking, salads, or roasting.
🍅 High-Yielding – Expect an abundant harvest! Chocolate Cherry plants produce clusters of small, juicy tomatoes throughout the season.
🍅 Beautiful & Unique – Their rich chocolate-brown colour adds an extra colour to your tomato harvest basket mixed with other varieties.

Growing Tips 🌱
Plant in full sun for the best production.
Provide sturdy support like a trellis or cage, as these plants grow tall.
Prune to one or two leaders to keep plants healthy.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes are a rewarding and flavourful choice that will keep your garden (and your taste buds) happy all summer long! And they're included in our Buy 3 Get 1 Tomato Seeds offer for 4 more days!

Have you grown Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes before? Let me know your favourite ways to enjoy them!

02/23/2025

Virginia Wild Rye seed is back in stock!

This cool-season grass grows in spring and fall, then turns a warming shade of tan and crimson later in the fall. It’s a great choice to help with erosion control and stream bank stabilization as it is fast-growing.

02/22/2025

If you're looking to add a bold and beneficial wildflower to your landscape, the Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is a great pick. This tall, sunflower-like perennial is a standout in prairie gardens, pollinator patches, and naturalized landscapes. Its most unique feature? The way its leaves form little "cups" around the stem, catching rainwater for birds and insects to drink from.

Why Grow Cup Plant?
🌻A pollinator magnet – Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects love its nectar-rich blooms.
🌻Built-in bird feeder – Goldfinches and other seed-eating birds flock to its seeds in late summer and fall.
🌻Low maintenance – Once established, it’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in a variety of soils.
🌻Big and bold – Growing up to 10 feet tall, it makes an impressive statement in any garden.
🌻Great for rain gardens – It handles damp conditions well, making it a good choice for areas with occasional flooding.

Growing Tips
🌱Plant in full sun for the best growth.
🌱Give it plenty of space—Cup Plant spreads easily and can take over smaller gardens.
🌱Cut it back in late fall, or leave it standing for wildlife shelter through winter.

Cup Plant is a tough, easy-to-grow native that brings life to the garden in more ways than one. If you love supporting pollinators and wildlife, it’s well worth planting.
https://northernwildflowers.ca/products/cup-plant?_pos=1&_sid=3214bb08f&_ss=r

Ever grown Cup Plant? Let me know how it did in your garden!

02/21/2025

Years ago, we developed our own innovative, eco-friendly seed coating designed to improve the success of native plant restoration. This biodegradable coating, made from natural minerals, enhances small-seeded varieties by making them easier to handle, broadcast, and plant. By increasing seed-to-soil contact and improving moisture retention, our coating helps boost germination rates, ensuring better establishment in restoration projects.

Unlike synthetic coatings, our in-house designed and applied formula is completely biodegradable, breaking down naturally in the environment. No microplastics needed!

Whether for large-scale ecological restoration or smaller native planting projects, our coated seeds provide a practical, effective solution for improving plant establishment while staying true to our commitment to sustainability.

02/20/2025

We've got more garden plans for you! Our new blog post outlines vegetable varieties that are ready to harvest in 20 days to 65 days, and offers some garden layout plans and growing strategies that help maximize harvests in record time! If you’re looking for a garden that delivers fresh, homegrown produce in the shortest time possible, a “Fast Food” Garden is the way to go.

By selecting these quick-maturing varieties and using smart planting strategies, you can enjoy harvests in just a few weeks. Whether you're planting in early spring, mid-summer, or even for a fall crop, this guide will help you design a productive garden that keeps the fresh food coming - fast.

Check out "Fast Food" Garden - Quick Yielding Vegetables & Garden Plans
https://cstu.io/6d5717

02/19/2025

02/17/2025

🌱 If you haven't already, check out the Seeds of Diversity 2025 Member Seed Exchange—Canada’s largest seed exchange!

With over 3,000 unique seeds shared by home gardeners, you’ll find everything from vegetables and flowers to rare plants you’ve never heard of. Renew your membership today to access the full exchange.



Learn more: https://cstu.io/16a027

02/16/2025

🍅✨ Heirloom Highlights ✨🍅

In this series, we’re spotlighting some of our favorite heirloom vegetable and fruit varieties and their unique stories.

Costoluto Fiorentino Tomato

Known for its beautifully ruffled shape and deep, classic flavour, the Costoluto Fiorentino is a true standout in any garden or kitchen. This Italian heirloom produces large, meaty tomatoes that are perfect for sauces, slicing, and fresh eating. Its high acid content gives it that rich, old-world tomato taste chefs and gardeners alike love. 🍴

The story of this tomato goes back centuries in Florence, where it has been cherished for generations (the name roughly translates to ribbed tomato from Florence). Its distinctive ribbed appearance and intense flavour made it a staple in traditional Italian cooking, especially for homemade passata and summer salads.

A proven performer in both home gardens and market stalls, the Costoluto Fiorentino thrives in sunny conditions and rewards gardeners with bountiful harvests. 🌞 It’s a beautiful reminder of the timeless taste of Italian cuisine.

For a touch of Italian tradition in your garden, Costoluto Fiorentino is a must-grow heirloom treasure! 🍅✨

***Get this variety at a discount in our February deal - Buy 3 Get 1 Free on all Tomato seeds!

02/15/2025

We're Hiring! Native Seed Production & Processing Technologist

Join our team and be part of Canada’s growing native seed industry. This hands-on role is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, tackling physical tasks, and problem-solving in the field. No prior experience required—just a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn.

What You'll Do:
-Work in the field and processing facility to support native seed production
-Train and lead seasonal staff in tasks like planting, weeding, harvesting
-Operate and maintain farm equipment for seed production and processing

What We're Looking For:
-Comfort with physical labor, including lifting and working in various weather conditions
-Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
-Mechanical aptitude or experience with farm equipment is an asset but not required

Why Join Us?
-Full training provided—no experience necessary
-Work with a supportive, family-owned company that values work-life balance

📅 Apply now! View full job posting here: https://cstu.io/12dcb5

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Ideal start date: March 15, 2025.

02/14/2025

🌸❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day from Northern Wildflowers! ❤️🌸

Just like seeds, love grows when nurtured. Wishing you a day filled with love, growth, and the promise of a vibrant spring. 🌿

Don't forget we have a special offer on all Tomato seeds until the end of the month - Buy 3 Get 1 Free! https://cstu.io/96a620

02/13/2025

Looking to bring more buzz to your garden? Black-Eyed Susans are a pollinator magnet! 🐝🦋

These golden beauties are popular for a reason. They attract native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects with their vibrant petals and rich nectar supply.

Their long bloom time means your garden stays lively all season long, and as a native wildflower, they’re low-maintenance and drought-tolerant too! Plant them in full sun and watch your garden come alive.

Your local pollinators will thank you! 💛

02/12/2025

🌿 Our Full Catalogue is Now Available for Download! 🌿

Thank you for the incredible response to our Northern Wildflowers Catalogue & Growing Guide! We're so grateful for all the enthusiasm and kind words.

All remaining print copies are on their way to our amazing customers, and while we're pausing print requests for now, you can download the full PDF anytime on our website! It’s packed with all the same inspiring content, growing tips, and bonus resources.

https://northernwildflowers.ca/pages/2025-digital-catalogues

If you’d love a hard copy in the future, be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming print runs.

📥 Download now & happy planting! 🌱💚