Finding native wildflowers can be as easy as looking up where the nearest native prairie is. Visiting a local nature center or park can be a great way to find free seeds; however, if there isn’t one near by, stop by a garden center to buy a few seed packets of your favorite native flowers.
Places to visit: Rochester, MN
Quarry Hill Nature Center: Acres of prairie and woodland, Quarry Hill is a wonderful place for a hike, walk, or to find native seeds! If you’re willing to climb a small hill, I recommend visiting the back side and walking up to their oak savannah. There are many trails and you can stop by the quarry to find some fossils before you leave.
Sargent’s Gardens: This store was kind enough to create a space for my native seed stand! In addition to the collection of native seeds to buy, Sargent’s has created a prairie behind their store. Look out for tours on their social media, they are quite informative and you’ll be sure to learn something about the process of creating a native prairie.
Places to visit: Milwaukee, WI
Urban Ecology Center: With multiple locations, the Urban Ecology Center is a great place to explore nature. My personal favorite place to visit is the Riverside Park. Here resides the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum. With over 40 acres of restored land, it is easy to spend a day there collecting seeds and exploring the various paths.
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