Knowing the origin of plants and seeds that are donated to the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library is very important for ensuring the integrity of the library’s inventory. This helps us to determine if the plants and seeds are indeed native, and not cultivars of native species. Individuals should consult VASCAN to determine if species are native to Ontario or Québec.
The best way to confirm that a plant you are buying is native is to buy them from trusted sources. Trusted sources are those with which we or our members have a relationship with, and sell wild unaltered species, declare where their plants or seeds come from, and confirm that they have been harvested ethically. The Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library has determined that the sources listed below are trusted sources.
Local trusted sources
- A Cultivated Art (plugs available for pick-up in Vanier and Just Food Farms, Ottawa, ON)
- Beaux Arbres Plantes Indigènes/ Native Plants (Eganville, ON)
- Connaught Nursery (Cobden, ON)
- Ferguson Tree Nursery (Kemptville, ON)
- Fletcher Wildlife Garden (annual spring plant sale, Ottawa, ON)
- Haliburton Micromeadows (Lochlin, ON)
- Natural Themes (Frankford, ON)
- Natureaide (Winchester, ON)
- Nursery for the Earth (Pépinière pour la Terre) (Bristol, QC)
- Solidago Farm (often at markets in Ottawa, ON, and Chelsea, QC)
- WWF (available at Loblaws garden centres)
Trusted sources elsewhere in Ontario and the United States
- Dropseed Native Plant Nursery (Picton, ON)
- Grow Wild! Native Plant Nursery (Brooktondale, NY)
- Native Plants in Claremont  (Pickering, ON)
- North American Native Plant Society (Elora, ON)
- Northern Wildflowers (Whitefish, ON)
- Not So Hollow Farm (Mulmur, ON)
- Ontario Flora (Markham, ON)
- Ontario Native Plants (Flamborough, ON)
- Origin Native Plants (Guelph, ON)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (Winona, MN)
If you received your plants or seeds from a source that is not found on the above list, the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library may still accept your plants and seeds for donation, but we will have a few questions first. Get in touch with us prior to donating plants or seeds to inquire.