Natural Design Through Seed Growing: Why We Grow Wild Perennials from Seed

Garden projects often call for fast growth, uniform flower colors, and predictable results. Companion plants, often disparagingly called weeds, are unwanted and removed. At first glance, this may look like thoughtful design, but from an ecological perspective, it’s actually a loss.

Cuttings are often used to get quick, perfect results. They grow to maturity quickly, have the same color or flavor as the parent plant, and often bloom sooner. But this uniformity also comes with risks, because cuttings are exact clones of the parent plant. That means they inherit any diseases or stress the parent plant may have.

Why we recommend growing from seed

We are Bioterra-certified, and we consistently grow plants from seed in our gardens. Seeds form through pollination, when the genetic material of two plants combines. This creates diversity. Individual plants grow with their own strengths and characteristics, and are more resilient. This genetic diversity is the foundation for healthy, long-lasting, robust growth.

Growing from seed, then, guarantees variety and dynamism. A rose may turn out a little lighter in color, or a perennial a little taller than planned. But it’s precisely this unpredictability that makes a garden vibrant and healthy. “Form Follows Flora” is our slogan for a reason: we trust nature and give plants the space they need to develop.