Native Plant Seedling Gallery

Gallery of Seedings

 

Most eastern US native plant species do not bloom during their establishment year. For most individuals this makes it difficult to determine if any of the desired species in their meadow are growing. To assist those who lack experience with seedling identification, we have produced this seedling gallery.

Our seedling gallery has images of some species commonly used in upland, riparian, and wetland mixes. When reviewing your meadow be sure to have a copy of your seed mix. This will ensure that you are looking for the correct species from this gallery. Do not expect to recognize each species in the field. Instead look for evidence of a few species growing well. If you see these species there is high probability that the other species in the mix are present.

  • Many of our upland meadow mixes contain a few grasses and wildflowers whose seedlings are easily recognized. If you find these species, try looking for others.

    • Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
    • Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
    • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
    • Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
    • Virginia Wildrye (Elymus virginicus)

  • Many of our riparian meadow mixes contain a few grasses and wildflowers whose seedlings are easily recognized. If you find these species, try looking for others.

    • Bonset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
    • Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
    • New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis with looks like Vernonia gigantea)
    • Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
    • Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

  • Many of our wetland mixes contain a few grasses and wildflowers whose seedlings are easily recognized.

    • Bonset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
    • Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)
    • Sedges (Carex species) and/or Bulrushes (Scirpus species).  As seedlings, these species look very similar.
    • Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
DISCLAIMER: The information in this review of practices is the result of more than 50 years of experience in seed production. Ernst Conservation Seeds has been supplying seeds and consulting in the reseeding of tens of thousands of acres of roadsides, surface mined lands, conservation, and restoration sites in eastern North America, as well as growing and supplying seed and consulting in the planting of hundreds of thousands of acres of CRP/CREP-related areas for erosion control and wildlife habitat. All of these practices are opinion only and our best advice as a result of these experiences. These recommendations do not cover all the conditions that will be encountered in the field. All of the information is for individual consideration. Ernst Conservation Seeds is not responsible for conditions that will be encountered in individual situations. The use of brand names does not represent our endorsement of a specific product; rather, it represents our experience only and has not necessarily been replicated in peer-reviewed research. The use of chemical pest control agents is subject to manufacturers’ instructions and labeling, as well as federal, state, and local regulations.
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