Allium cernuum – Nodding Wild Onion
Wait for the flower stalks to turn tan or straw-colored, indicating the capsules are ready to open. Collect the seeds when they are black. Squeeze the seed capsules open to release the seeds into a container like a paper bag. You can also place a bag over the seed head and clip it to separate later.
Asclepias spp. – Milkweed
Large seed pods form after well after blooms are spent. Remove pods whole only once they turn brown and either split open or easily open with gentle pressure. Place entire pod in paper bag to dry.
Bouteloua curtipendula – Sideoats Grama
Wait until seeds turn tan and dry. Gently use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to remove seeds from the stem into a paper bag to be further dried.
Coreopsis lanceolata – Lance-Leaved Coreopsis
Continue monitoring into September. Flower heads will turn brown and begin to dry. When seed heads are dry and ‘crispy’, snip heads and place in a brown paper bag to dry further. Once seed head is completely dry, gently shake or rub the seeds loose.
Lance-Leaved Coreopsis Species Info
Tall Coreopsis Species Info
Echinacea spp. – Purple Coneflower, Pale Purple Coneflower
After blooming period, seed heads turn brown followed by the stems. When stems begin to turn color, snip seed heads and place in a paper bag for continued drying.
Purple Coneflower Species Info
Pale Purple Coneflower Species Info
Eutrochium spp. – Joe Pye Weed
Blooms start to brown and give way to seed heads that are more dull gray/brown in color. Snip the seed heads into a paper bag and shake to release the fluffy seeds which can be cleaned later.
Hollow Joe Pye Weed Species Info
Spotted Joe Pye Weed Species Info
Sweet Joe Pye Weed Species Info
Helenium autumnale – Sneezeweed
Wait for the seed heads to turn brown and dry, revealing the small black seeds. Snip seed heads into a paper bag to further dry. Once completely dry, gently crush seed heads to release the seeds.
Lamiaceae – Monarda, Pycnanthemum, Blephilia, Scutellaria, etc. – Mint Family including Bee Balms, Mountain Mints, Wood Mints and Skullcaps
Continue monitoring from August through September. As flowers brown but before nutlets fall out, clip the flower from the plant and store in a paper bag. Once the flower completely dries in the bag, shake or gently crush flower heads to release the nutlets and remove the chaff.
Liatris spp. – Blazing Stars
Wait until the flower heads are dry, fluffy, and brown. Cut the stems into a paper bag, then shake or rub the heads to release seeds and separate them from chaff and the feathery parachutes.
Lobelia spp. – Great Blue Lobelia, Cardinal Flower
Seeds and seed heads are small and attached closely to the stem. Carefully snip stems and place in paper bag. Once fully dried, seeds should easily shake loose from the pod.
Cardinal Flower Species Info
Great Blue Lobelia Species Info
Physostegia virginiana – Obedient Plant
Seeds and seed heads are small and attached closely to the stem. Carefully snip stems and place in paper bag. Once fully dried, seeds should easily shake loose from the pod.
Schizachyrium scoparium – Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem seeds should be firm, but you should be able to dent them with your thumbnail. When they are ready, gently use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to remove seeds from the stem into a paper bag to be further dried. Seeds are light and fluffy so be careful to keep the bag close to where you are collecting.
