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Tag: native seed germination

Native Seed Germination Chart

Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis)
Bigelow's sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii)
Bigelow’s sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii)
Silver lupine (Lupinus albifrons)
Oregon checkermallow (Sidalcea oregana)

Klamath-Siskiyou Native Seeds

Native Seed Germination Chart

(Click on the title to view and download the chart in Excel format.)

 

It can be difficult to find information regarding seed germination for native plant species. Through our own native plant propagation and growing experience, as well as long-term seed germination experimentation, we have developed a seed germination chart for species we often have in our inventory. This chart specifies the pretreatment needs for seed through cold-moist stratification (chilling requirements) or heat treatment, for natural or artificial seed germination, as well as recommendations for planting seed outside for natural seed germination. Germination rates can vary so your own personal experimentation is encouraged!

Common Name Botanical Name Seed Germination Instructions
Vine maple Acer circinatum 30-60 days warm-moist stratification followed by 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Common yarrow Achillea millefolium No pretreatment required. Sow in fall or spring on or just below the soil surface. Needs warm soil and light to germinate.
Vanillaleaf Achlys triphylla 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Columbia monkshood Aconitum columbianum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Horse mint Agastache urticifolia 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Western joepiweed Ageratina occidentalis No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring. Germination may be improved with 30 days cold stratification
California dandelion Agoseris grandiflora No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring. Germination may be improved with 30 days cold stratification.
Tapertip onion Allium acuminatum 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Pacific mountain onion Allium validum 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Menzies’ fiddleneck Amsinckia menziesii 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall for best germination.
Sharptooth angelica Angelica arguta 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Woodland madia Ansiocarpus madioides 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Western columbine Aquilegia formosa 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
California spikenard Aralia californica 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall for best germination.
Goat’s beard Aruncus dioicus 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter. Plant on soil surface or lightly cover. Seed needs light to germinate.
Heartleaf milkweed Asclepias cordifolia 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Narrowleaf milkweed Asclepias fascicularis 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Showy milkweed Asclepias speciosa 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
California harebell Asyneuma prenanthoides 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter. Sow on soil surface or lightly cover. Seed needs light to germinate.
Deltoid balsamroot Balsamorhiza deltoidea 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Tall Oregon grape Berberis (Mahonia) aquifolium 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Cascade Oregon grape Berberis (Mahonia) nervosa 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
California brome Bromus carinatus No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Chinook brome Bromus laevipes No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall.
Tolmie’s cats ear Calochortus tolmiei 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
Marsh marigold Caltha leptosepala 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
Large camas Camassia leichtlinii 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
Deer brush Ceanothus integerrimus Soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours, then 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Birch leaf mountain mahogany Cercocarpus betuloides 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Soaproot Chlorogalum pomeridianum No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Fireweed Chamerion angustifolia 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Western redbud Cercis occidentalis Soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours, then 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Western clematis Clematis ligusticifolia 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Hound’s tongue Cynoglossum grande 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Mountain larkspur Delphinium glaucum 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Meadow larkspur Delphinium nuttallianum 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Henderson’s shooting star Dodecatheon hendersonii 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Squirreltail grass Elymus elymoides No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Blue wildrye Elymus glaucus No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Capitate sandwort Eremogone congesta 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Tall wooly buckwheat Eriogonum elatum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Arrowleaf buckwheat Eriogonum compositum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Barestem buckwheat Eriogonum nudum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Sulphur flower buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Oregon sunshine Eriophyllum lanatum 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Henderson’s fawn lily Erythronium hendersonii 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Scarlet monkey flower Erythranthe (Mimulus) cardinalis No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring. Seeds need light to germinate, surface sow.
Yellow seep monkey flower Erythranthe (Mimulus) guttata No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring. Seeds need light to germinate, surface sow.
California poppy Eschscholzia californica 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Western goldentop Euthamia occidentalis No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
California fescue Festuca californica 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Roemer’s fescue Festuca roemeri 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Cascara Frangula purshiana 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
Bluehead gilia Gilia capitata 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
White rushlily Hastingsia alba 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Bigelow’s sneezweed Helenium bigelovii 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Cowparsnip Heracleum maximum 120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Alum root Heuchera micrantha 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall. Seeds need light to germinate, surface sow.
Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Broad leaved lotus Hosackia crassifolia Soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours, then 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
Scarlet gilia Ipomopsis aggregata 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Red beardtongue Keckiella corymbosa 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Bush beardtongue Keckiella lemmonii 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Bolander’s tarweed Kyhosia bolanderi 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Siskiyou lewisia Lewisia cotyledon 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Blue wild flax Linum lewisii 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
California lomatium Lomatium californicum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Fernleaf biscuitroot Lomatium dissectum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Bigseed biscuitroot Lomatium macrocarpum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Nineleaf buscuitroot Lomatium triternatum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Common lomatium Lomatium utriculatum 60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Pink honeysuckle Lonicera hispidula 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Sickelkeel lupine Lupinus albicaulis Soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours, then 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Silver bush lupine Lupinus albifrons No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Velvet lupine Lupinus leucophyllus Soak in hot (not boiling) water for 24 hours, then 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Elegant tarweed Madia elegans No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Large false Soloman’s seal Maianthemum racemosum Seed takes two years to germinate. Sow outside in fall. 6 months cold-moist stratification, followed by 4 months warm-moist stratification, followed by another 5 months cold-moist stratification.
Giant blazingstar Mentzelia laevicaulis 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Coyote mint Monardella odoratissima 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Coyote tobacco Nicotiana attenuata No pretreatment required. Sow outside, or start in a greenhouse in spring.
Indian tobacco Nicotiana quadrivalvis No pretreatment required. Sow outside, or start in a greenhouse in spring.
False turtlehead Nothochelone nemorosa 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Douglas’ grasswidow Olsynium douglasii 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Siskiyou Mountains owl’s clover Orthocarpus cuspidatus 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Indian warrior Pedicularis densiflora 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall. Hemiparasite, needs host plant to thrive. Parasitic on members of the heath family, such as manzanita or madrone.
Siskiyou penstemon Penstemon anguineus 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Hot rock penstemon Penstemon deustus 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Mountain blue penstemon Penstemon laetus 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Small flowered penstemon Penstemon procerus 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Western sweet coltsfoot Petasites frigidus No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Varilieaf phacelia Phacelia heterophylla 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring. Seeds need light to germinate, surface sow.
Tall phacelia Phacelia procera 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall. Seeds need light to germinate, surface sow.
Mock orange Philadelphus lewisii 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Pacific ninebark Physocarpus capitatus 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Hooker’s fairybells Prosartes hookeri 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Bitter cherry Prunus emarginata 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Golden currant Ribes aureum 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Wax currant Ribes cereum 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Sierra gooseberry Ribes roezlii 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Sticky currant Ribes viscosissimum 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Waxy coneflower Rudbeckia glaucescens 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Western coneflower Rudbeckia occidentalis 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Blue elderberry Sambucus nigra spp. caerulea 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Pacific blacksnakeroot Sanicula crassicaulis 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Lambstongue ragwort Senecio integerrimus 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Arrowleaf ragwort Senecio triangularis 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Oregon checkermallow Sidalcea oregana 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Bell catchfly Silene campanulata 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
West coast Canada goldenrod Solidago elongata No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Western mountain ash Sorbus scopulina 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Douglas’ spiraea Spiraea douglasii 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Subalpine spiraea Spiraea splendens 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to late winter.
Lemmon’s needlegrass Stipa lemmonii 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Claspleaf twistedstalk Streptopus amplexifolius Seed takes two years to germinate. Sow outside in fall. 6 months cold-moist stratification, followed by 4 months warm-moist stratification, followed by another 5 months cold-moist stratification.
Leafybract aster Symphyotrichum foliaceum No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Fringe cups Tellima grandiflora 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
Western false asphodel Triantha occidentalis 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Vinegarweed Trichostema lanceolatum 60-90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow in fall to late winter.
California false hellebore Veratrum californicum 30-60 days warm-moist stratification followed by 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in early fall.
Western verbena Verbena lasiostachys 30-60 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall or early spring.
American vetch Vicia americana No pretreatment required. Sow outside in fall to early spring.
Narrowleaf mule’s ears Wyethia angustifolia 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Beargrass Xerophyllum tenax 90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.