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Stratified Seeds - Bluebead Lily
Stratified Seeds - Bluebead Lily
Stratified Seeds - Bluebead Lily
Stratified Seeds - Bluebead Lily
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Stratified Seeds - Bluebead Lily

Clintonia borealis

$5.00
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Categories: Groundcover, Native, Woodland, Perennial, Bulk

Native range: MB, ON, QC, NB, PE, NS, NL

For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Bluebead lily (Clintonia borealis), also known as bluebead lily, is a herbaceous perennial native to North America's temperate forests, where it thrives in cool, shaded woodlands. This plant, which grows between 15 and 25 cm tall, is easily recognizable by its large, glossy, lance-shaped leaves arranged in a rosette at the base. In the spring, bluebead lily produces a flowering stalk topped with small, bell-shaped, yellow-green flowers. By summer, these flowers give way to bright blue berries, which are inedible for humans but are eaten by some animals. Bluebead lily is an excellent choice for forest gardens and shaded landscapes.

Sociability index: 2 to 3 → Indicates the plant’s behaviour in space and its interactions with other plants.

Ecological Roles
Bluebead lily plays an important ecological role in the forests of northeastern North America. In addition to providing ground cover, this plant helps prevent soil erosion in moist forests. Its blue berries, though toxic to humans, are consumed by birds and small mammals, aiding in seed dispersal and supporting local biodiversity. The plant is also beneficial to pollinating insects, which feed on the nectar of its springtime flowers.

 

Bluebead lily seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the growing notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.

Growing Notes | Stratified Seeds - Bluebead Lily

Upon receipt, it is important to place the packet containing the bluebead lily seeds in the refrigerator.

Bluebead lily grows in part shade to full shade and prefers humus-rich and acidic soil.

Bluebead lily seeds require a 60-day cold and moist stratification period, followed by a 30-day warm stratification period, then a second 60-day cold and moist stratification period, to ensure germination.

The bluebead lily seeds offered by Akène are sold in a sealed bag containing moist vermiculite. The first stratification period began in early August. Depending on the month of receipt, the seeds will be at a different stage of the dormancy process. Here is the schedule to follow to complete the dormancy cycle:

Early October: Take the bag out of the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature, away from light and in its original packaging, for about 30 days for the warm stratification period.

The second stratification period can begin as of early November. This step can be carried out outdoors for natural stratification. The seeds are ready to be sown outdoors, directly in the ground or in pots. Sow them just before the first frosts and snowfall. Take care not to sow too early, to avoid the seeds germinating before the start of winter.

Sow the seeds about 3 mm deep in a well-drained substrate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination of this species generally occurs after 1 to 3 months, but can take up to a year. This information is not well documented.

Seeds per packet: 20

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific name: Clintonia borealis

Life cycle: Perennial

Hardiness zone: 3

Soil type: Sandy to loamy

Soil moisture level: Medium

Soil - additional attributes: Humusy. Prefers acidic soils.

Drought tolerance: Low

Light: Part shade, shade

Blooming: May to June

Spacing: 25 cm

Height: 25 cm

Deer resistance: Low

Stratification: Pre-stratified

Scarification:

Germination time:

Sowing depth: 20 mm

Reproductive system: Hermaphrodite