for Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry Soils & nearly Full Shade

A healthy woodland in springtime transforms into a treasure trove of hidden gems gleaming through the leaf litter after a long winter. Spring ephemerals are little wonders of the forest floor, and their existence relies on moisture from snowmelt and the warm sunlight that gently filters through the still-bare but slowly budding tree branches. Once the trees leaf out and shade closes in, these spring marvels go to seed as quickly as they arrived, conserving their energy and magic for the next year.

Delicate and fleeting as they are, these wildflowers may take 3-5 years (or more) to fully establish, so this mix includes hardier, more competitive species to keep these shy bloomers company. After all, no shady woodland would be complete without a variety of blossoms and berries to attract pollinators, as well as sedges and grasses to keep things lush and lively throughout the seasons.

This mix includes several early spring flowering species, some of which are spread by a small-but-mighty dispersal partner: the ant! Ants seek out a fatty deposit called an elaiosome on the outside of the seed, and they carry the seeds back to their nest, assisting with seed distribution and aiding in germination success. The seeds benefit from the ants' protection, since most critters tend to avoid teeming anthills; the lofy, disturbed soil around an ant nest provides ideal conditions for new sprouts.

We suggest you also enhance this woodland seeding by transplanting species not available in seed such as Ferns, Trilliums, Hepatica, and Trout Lily. View the complete species list, including % by weight, under COMPONENTS. *For woodland restoration projects larger than the 1/8 acre listed here, contact us about custom seed mix design.

Although some of the native plants in this seed mix have ranges that extend beyond zones 3-7, the majority will do best in this zone range. For more detailed information please see the RANGE MAP for each species.

For seed mixes of 1/8 acre or less, we include a temporary cover crop at no additional charge. ReGreen is a sterile, short-lived perennial wheat hybrid that can be planted spring or fall.

Some seeds in this mix are kept under refrigeration (33-38 F) in our warehouse. The days in transit to you in colder or warmer conditions won’t harm the seed, but the bag of refrigerated seed should be removed from the seed mix bag and put back in refrigeration until you are ready to plant.

Add a Seed Mix Enhancement for that extra splash of color!

Establishing a native plant community from seed can take 3 years or more - learn more.

All mixes are subject to change without notice depending on availability of species.

Shady Woodland Seed Mix by Prairie Moon® Nursery 12.61 lbs per acre \| 124 Seeds per sq/ft (FILTER PLANTS IN THIS SEED MIX)
WILDFLOWERS
Botanical Name (Common Name)	% by wt.
Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry)	0.81
Agastache scrophulariifolia (Purple Giant Hyssop)	1.01
Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot)	0.50
Allium tricoccum (Wild Leek)	4.03
Anemone virginiana (Tall Thimbleweed)	2.01
Aquilegia canadensis (Columbine)	2.01
Campanula americana (Tall Bellflower)	2.01
Cryptotaenia canadensis (Honewort)	1.61
Dasistoma macrophylla (Mullein-foxglove)	0.50
Desmodium glutinosum (Pointed-leaved Tick Trefoil)	2.01
Dodecatheon meadia (Midland Shooting Star)	0.81
Eurybia macrophylla (Big-leaved Aster)	1.01
Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet Joe Pye Weed)	0.50
Fragaria virginiana (Wild Strawberry)	0.30
Gentiana flavida (Cream Gentian)	0.30
Geranium maculatum (Wild Geranium)	1.01
Hydrophyllum appendiculatum (Great Waterleaf)	1.51
Lobelia spicata (Pale Spiked Lobelia)	0.25
Maianthemum racemosum (Solomon's Plume)	4.03
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells)	0.50
Mitella diphylla (Bishop's Cap)	0.30
Osmorhiza claytonii (Sweet Cicely)	3.02
Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort)	0.30
Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy Beardtongue)	1.51
Persicaria virginiana (Woodland Knotweed)	1.01
Polemonium reptans (Jacob's Ladder)	0.35
Rudbeckia laciniata (Wild Golden Glow)	0.50
Rudbeckia triloba (Brown-eyed Susan)	0.20
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)	0.81
Smilax lasioneura (Common Carrion Flower)	3.22
Solidago ulmifolia (Elm-leaved Goldenrod)	0.76
Stylophorum diphyllum (Celandine Poppy)	0.81
Symphyotrichum drummondii (Drummond's Aster)	1.51
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (Calico Aster)	1.51
Taenidia integerrima (Yellow Pimpernel)	1.51
Thalictrum dioicum (Early Meadow Rue)	0.81
Triosteum aurantiacum (Early Horse Gentian)	1.51
Uvularia grandiflora (Bellwort)	2.52
Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders)	1.51
Total of WILDFLOWERS:	50.40 %

GRASSES, SEDGES & RUSHES
Botanical Name (Common Name)	% by wt.
Bromus pubescens (Hairy Wood Chess)	4.03
Carex blanda (Common Wood Sedge)	2.52
Carex davisii (Awned Graceful Sedge)	1.01
Carex grayi (Common Bur Sedge)	0.76
Carex grisea (Wood Gray Sedge)	2.01
Carex sprengelii (Long-beaked Sedge)	2.01
Cinna arundinacea (Wood Reed Grass)	0.50
Diarrhena obovata (Beak Grass)	5.54
Elymus hystrix (Bottlebrush Grass)	6.04
Elymus riparius (Riverbank Wild Rye)	2.01
Elymus villosus (Silky Wild Rye)	2.01
Elymus virginicus (Virginia Wild Rye)	16.11
Festuca subverticillata (Nodding Fescue)	4.03
Glyceria striata (Fowl Manna Grass)	1.01
Totals of GRASSES, SEDGES & RUSHES:	49.60 %

(FILTER PLANTS IN THIS SEED MIX)
Last updated 9/9/24

18 Questions asked on Shady Woodland Seed Mix

Stavros October 30

I'd really love to try this mix, but I only have about 90 sq ft. Pity you don't sell it in 100 sq ft quantities!

Prairie Moon October 30

Glad you're enthusiastic! With areas of that size, it typically doesn't make sense to plant a seed mix and wait 3 years for the planting to get going. We recommend trying bare roots or perhaps one of our garden kits for faster results. Our Semi-Shade kit could work for you. Garden Kits can be pre-ordered in the winter and they ship in May.

Matt April 23

Is this mix deer resistant?

Prairie Moon April 25

Hi Matt. Since there over 50 native woodland flowers and grasses in there, no, not all of them will be deer resistant. Some popular woodland natives that ARE deer-resistant however: Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Leek, Jacob's Ladder, Ferns, White Trout Lily, Sweet Joe Pye Weed, Columbine, Wild Ginger, May Apple, Short's Aster.

Cassy April 14

Would this mix do well under established pine trees in a windbreak? There are very few weeds growing there at the edges and none in the center of the rows, but our main issue is mulberry seedlings creeping up so we're trying to plant something to deter their return.

Prairie Moon April 15

Thanks for writing, Cassy. This mix can do fine in a shady area like the one you describe, but keep in mind that the typical establishment time for a diverse native mix is three to five years, so it will be a while before it provides competition for weeds or other unwanted plants. Shade-loving species are very conservative, so may take even longer to establish.

Jenelle April 22

I have a large patch of woods (mostly oak and sassafrass) that I've been wondering about seeding with the Shady Woodland Seed Mix. I've been religiously pulling out garlic mustard weed for several years, and it's finally starting to pay off, so I'm thinking that the site could be ready in the next year or so. Your planting directions seem very prairie focused. I'm wondering what kind of prep should one do for a woodland site before sowing the seed? Would I rake away the leaf litter to expose the soil? Thank you!

Prairie Moon April 23

Thanks for writing, Jenelle. Woodland areas tend to have less weed pressure than prairie sites, but the prep protocol is the same regarding removal of unwanted, competing species. You’ve been working on that already. Some woodland species, like Dutchman’s Breeches, require leaf litter to establish, but if the mulching is heavy, you may want to rake some off before broadcasting seed in the fall to allow good soil contact for species that don’t require the litter. The primary caveat for wooded areas is that the resident species are very conservative and may take even longer than the typical 3-5 years to fully establish. Some transplants as encouragement can help keep hope alive in the meantime.

Rico September 2

Are these perennials? If not 100% can you tell me the % makeup?

Prairie Moon September 4

Hi Rico, there are two annual species in this mix: Lobelia inflata (Indian Tobacco) and Impatiens pallida (Yellow Jewelweed). This equals 1.15% by weight. The other 98.85% are perennials. Thanks!

Philippe Guyony October 16

Hi, what is the weight of the 500sqf packet of the shady woodland mix and what is the best period to seed?

Prairie Moon October 16

Thanks for your question, Philippe. The weight of the 500sqft mix will be around 6oz. There will be a few packets that make up the mix. We prefer seeding in late fall, but spring can also be a suitable option. See our blog post here: Pros and Cons to a Fall vs Spring Seeding

Keep in mind, this diverse mix may take three to five years to fully establish as many species exhibit double dormancy.

Will July 7

Hi there, I planted this seed mix in my yard this spring (mid-April) and am attempting to identify the seedlings that are coming up during this first season. There are a large number of seedlings that could be columbine, early meadow rue, or possibly false rue anemone (or maybe even blue cohosh, though I think that's less likely). I'm wondering if there are any surefire ways to tell the seedlings for these species apart so early in their life cycle? I'm curious only for knowledge's sake, but any tips are appreciated. Thank you.

Prairie Moon July 8

Hi Will. If you just planted this mix mid-April it's not likely you have many of those natives mentioned yet. They need an overwintering period to germinate, and some in this Woodland mix need 2 years of cold-warm seasons to break dormancy.

We do currently carry 2 seedling ID books that we like. Click on the TOOL SHED category, then BOOKS sub-category, and finally the SEEDLING ID.

It is important to mow or weed whip the whole planting site this year. Next year you won't have to mow and can ID some seedlings.

Heather February 25

Hi there! We're in the northeast Twin Cities Metro Area and have a section of our property that is somewhat shady and has medium-wet soils (it is bordered by a somewhat seasonal pond--doesn't ever fully dry out, always moist, even when the water recedes late summer). We spent most of last season working on buckthorn management in that area and are wondering if this would be a good mix to throw down before the snow melts (we got a little behind in our planning due to the pandemic). It was recommended to us to at least do a broadcast of Virginia wild rye. There are a lot of great natives already in this section (jack-in-the-pulpit, for example) and we are trying to avoid tarping and herbicides (due to the proximity to the pond). I'm wondering if we should wait on this mix until we've had another season or two to continue drowning out the buckthorn seedbank with something a bit more fast-growing? Many thanks!

Prairie Moon February 25

Hi Heather, This is a really good question. Honestly, I don't think our standard Shady Woodland Seed Mix is going to be the best choice to follow-up after buckthorn removal. This mix contains many conservative spring ephemerals that, while beautiful, might not be the most competitive choice. This is also the most expensive mix we sell at approximately $7,000/acre. Instead, you might consider a Buckthorn Replacement Mix (I'll email you this Custom Seed Mix template separately). This custom mix was designed with inspiration from the University of Minnesota's "Cover it up!" project. This mix contains grasses and wildflowers that are much easier to establish and that are likely to be more competitive against Buckthorn seedlings. It's also much more affordable per acre. Depending on your level of shade, or desired price point, we could adjust this mix design to suit your needs.

Paula March 8

A year ago we'd removed oriental bittersweet, and remaining buckthorn and honeysuckle, and thinned out our hillside woodland (oaks, hawthorn, cherry). We have Trout lilies, Solomon seal varieties, may apple, and Jack in the pulpit. We also have a very aggressive amount of Virginia knotweed the we have to weed whack back around our new transplants (ferns, and spring ephemerals). Would this Shady Woodland Seed Mix be appropriate? It seems that fall seeding would be best. What preparation would we need so we don't loose the woodland natives we have?

Prairie Moon March 9

Hi Paula, How wonderful that you have some high-quality natives underneath all those invasive species! That’s very hopeful. Yes, I think the Shady Woodland Seed Mix would be a nice choice for you. If you have existing plants that you don’t want to disturb, you might consider an “inter-seeding” approach. You can read more about that in this excellent how-to guide by The Xerces Society. Although this was written with prairie habitats in mind, the concepts are the same in woodlands. Kind Regards, Kaitlyn

Cynthia April 25

I am going to be removing grass and expanding a shade garden (t500 sq ft) this spring via sheet composting and having a 2" layer of mulch put in. Can this seed mix be scattered on top of the mulch with the assumption that it will "fall into" the mulch?

Prairie Moon April 26

Hi Cynthia, No, we do not recommend planting any of our seed mixes into mulch. The seed will need to make good contact with the soil to successfully germinate. Eventually, you will probably see some things pop up through the mulch, but usually the purpose of mulch is to prevent weeds, and it can have that same effect on desirable plants as well. It is best to leave your top layer of soil bare and compact. Sow the seed mix on top of this bare ground and lightly rake in (for a spring seeding).

Regina July 5

I have several shaded areas in my garden that need a splash of color; please let me know what is the difference between seed mix and seed mix enhancement. thank you.

Prairie Moon July 8

Hi Regina, Our seed mix enhancements are meant to increase the number of some showy wildflowers when added to our seed mixes or to an established planting. They have much lower diversity than our seed mixes, and do not contain any grasses/sedges, which are an essential part of native ecosystems. Clicking on the "Components" tab of both the mix and the enhancement may help you determine which one is right for you.

Dirk July 21

It appears this mix has pretty much all cool season grasses in it. Would it be a good method to spread this seed in early Sept., cover lightly with a clean straw mix and have the grasses germinate in the fall weather? This would avoid the seeds being eaten by birds over winter if seeded after leaf fall say in November.

Prairie Moon July 21

Hi Dirk, There are lots of pros and cons to different planting times and strategies. Sounds like your method could work fine, although your grasses will have a leg up on your wildflowers, which could lead to a more grass-heavy planting. In our observations, birds don't get to a significant amount of seed in a late fall planting before the freeze/thaw action works it into the soil (and snow covers it). Additionally, if the grasses germinate too late in the season, the young seedlings may be susceptible to winter kill. Please call us if you'd like to discuss in detail!

Andy October 23

Just realized I've been refrigerating all the packets in this seed mix, instead of just the one. Is this okay or should I take the others out of the refrigerator? I am not sure when I'm going to sow. It might be all the way until next spring depending on how the mulch smother goes (I only just started it this weekend in zone 5a).

Prairie Moon October 24

Hi Andy. You could keep the entire mix in the fridge - but be very sure that it stays dry. If there is any risk of liquids spilling or condensing on or near the seed mix, it would be preferable to remove the seed packets that do not require refrigeration to a cool, dry location.

Andrew October 26

Are there situations when you should and should not use crop cover, for woodland areas?

Prairie Moon October 27

Hi Andrew. Cover crops are very useful for erosion control and providing competition for any weeds remaining on site. If those are not issues in your woodland, a cover crop is not as necessary. If your site is a pristine woodland (more or less) and natives are already thriving, a cover crop would not be advised since it would compete with the natives.

Mabel October 27

I chose this seed mix because, well, I have lots of trees! I'm planting today (October) after having cleared the leaves from below the trees. However, it raises a question that I haven't seen addressed on your site: Should I remove the leaves in Spring? (I typically blow the leaves, but am open to whatever message you suggest.) I'm hoping that the seed will embed in the soil over winter, but I'm afraid I may remove the wildflower seed with the leaves in the Spring. On the flip side, I'm also afraid that the leaves may inhibit the growth of the wildflowers. What are your thoughts?

Prairie Moon October 27

A thick or matted layer of leaves over your seed would likely prevent/delay the germination of many species in your seed mix. The ideal method of leaf removal would be to do a controlled burn next spring. If that is not an option, you could rake or blow them (even just running over them with a lawnmower would help). It doesn’t have to be perfect. Theoretically, the freeze/thaw action of the soil will have worked the seed in a little, and your leaf removal shouldn’t displace the seed very much, but it would be wise to practice a little caution.

Native plant communities provide the inspiration for our seed-mix designs. All our mixes feature high seeding rates and a diverse balance of native species, which, when mature, will provide blossoms throughout the year. No matter what you want from a seed mix, you will need to make sure it fits the soil-moisture holding capacity and sun conditions of your site.

E stablishment of the diverse native-plant communities represented in our seed mixes can take three to five years. The most critical process before planting is preparing the site by removing unwanted species and working to deplete the soil’s weed seed bank. Find detailed site prep, planting and care instructions for our seed mixes through the following links:

ESTABLISHING A NATIVE SEED MIX - 3 YEAR PLAN

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR HAND SOWING A NATIVE SEED MIX

*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.

US Shipping & Handling Charges

SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00
Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!

Custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100, add 5% of the total seed cost
(for orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required)

BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50.00 and under: $9.00
over $50.00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required.)

TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).

**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kits transit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) outside the contiguous US or to CALIFORNIA due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

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