Nova Scotia Native Species
Produced in partnership with Acadia University’s K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens, this limited edition line of seed packets features species native to Nova Scotia and the surrounding area. Spotted Joe-Pye Weed and Cut-Leaved Coneflower are perennial flower species native to the Wabanaki region, which spans the Maritime provinces, New York, and the northern New England states. Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed and Cut-Leaved Coneflower were selected for their colourful appeal in the garden and attractiveness to local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and moths. Because they’re local ecotypes, they’re well-adapted to grow and thrive in the Maritime climate. By growing native plants, gardeners can help to support biodiversity across our region and create havens for native species.
The seeds are hand-collected and cleaned by students at Acadia University from plants grown at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. One dollar from every packet sold supports student research at Acadia University’s K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre. The Centre and Gardens host research initiatives that promote the conservation of common native plants and the recovery of Species at Risk. The six-acre Gardens also provide an outdoor classroom for students and a protected environment for wildlife.
For our first run of locally sourced native flower seeds, packet quantities are limited. We look forward to adding more availability and more varieties in the future!
Native plants have evolved to harmonize with their local environment. They are well adapted to the climate and soil conditions of their region and typically require less care and water than introduced varieties. They are hardy throughout changing seasons, adaptable to shifting environmental conditions, and resistant to many common pests and diseases. Native plants play a foundational role in their environment, supporting insects, birds, mammals, and other animal species. Many native pollinators have evolved alongside these plants and rely on them as a food source and habitat.
Most native plant species reproduce by seed. Seeds are produced after pollination, a process that mixes the genetic information of multiple individual plants to create seeds which carry diverse genetic makeup. This genetic diversity is what allows native plants to continually adapt to their environment over time, with each new generation carrying slightly different traits.
By growing native plants in your own garden, you'll help to support biodiversity in your area and provide habitat to local species. You'll be rewarded with hardy and beautiful perennials that require little care and look stunning when in full bloom. Watch them grow through the seasons and note the bright green sprouts that appear in spring, followed by lush blooms in summer that are loved by pollinators, then seed pods in fall that feed the birds before winter arrives and beneficial insects form nests in the plants' hollow stems. Following the lifecycle of native plants across each year's changes helps us stay connected to our environment.
When you purchase a packet of these native seeds, you’re also supporting the next generation of environmental stewards. One dollar from every sale goes directly to student research conducted through Acadia University’s K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre. A variety of conservation research projects and experiential learning opportunities are achieved through the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre. For example, student volunteers are trained to identify and remove invasive plant species that would otherwise upset the ecosystem. Many students also work in the Acadia Seed Bank, which is a repository of native seeds from woody and herbaceous plants of the Wabanaki (Acadian) Forest Region. Student researchers are very involved in growing the seed bank and improving collective scientific knowledge, such as understanding the viability of seeds in long-term storage.
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum) is a perennial flowering plant native to the Wabanaki region, which spans the Maritime provinces and beyond. A member of the Asteraceae family, it is a tall, sturdy, and adaptable perennial. From late summer through fall it produces rosy pink/purple blooms in showy clusters that attract butterflies, skippers, moths and native bees. Its height (100-200 cm/3.5-6 feet) makes it a great addition to borders, meadows or along fence lines. In its natural habitat, Spotted Joe-Pye Weed can be found in open swamps, marshes, meadows, and floodplains. It prefers moist soil but is tolerant of various conditions. Plant in full sun to part shade.
Quick Facts
Plant Height: 6' (1.8m)
Plant Width: 3' (1m)
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Bloom Colour: Purpleish Pink
Bloom Time: Late Summer
Hardiness Zone: 3
Cut-Leaved Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) is a perennial flowering plant native to the Wabanaki region, which spans the Maritime provinces and beyond. A member of the Asteraceae family, it is a large, showy perennial. Bright yellow flowers appear in late summer to attract pollinators including butterflies, moths, and bees. Growing from 4' (1.2m) up to 10' (3m), it's a great choice for borders and fence lines. In its natural habitat, Cut-Leaved Coneflower can be found on river shores and in floodplains. It prefers moist soil. Plant in full sun or part shade.
Quick Facts
Plant Height: 4' (1m)
Plant Width: 10' (3m)
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Bloom Colour: Yellow
Bloom Time: Late Summer
Hardiness Zone: 3
Both Spotted Joe-Pye Weed and Cutleaved Coneflower seeds require at least 30 days of moist, cold stratification to simulate winter conditions before they will germinate. To stratify your seeds, mix them with damp sand or vermiculite and place them in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge for 30 days. After 30 days have passed, remove your seeds from the fridge and plant them in your growing medium to start indoors or sow directly in the garden in spring. Alternatively, you may sow your seeds outdoors in late fall for natural stratification. When starting Joe-Pye Weed, sprinkle the seeds lightly on the soil surface, as their seeds are small and require light to germinate.