• Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix native plant in bloom
  • Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix native plant in bloom
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Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix

Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix

$ 2,933.34
$ 2,933.34
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Quick View - Seed Mix Specifications

Seeding Rate: 14.1 lb/acre (81.5 seeds/square foot)

Common Name Scientific Name % of Mix Seeds/ft2 Total
Grasses
Sideoats Grama 		Bouteloua curtipendula 15.07% 4.7 2.125 PLS lb
Canada Wild Rye Elymus canadensis 21.28% 5.7 3.000 PLS lb
Silky Wild Rye Elymus villosus 7.09% 2.0 1.000 PLS lb
Virginia Wild Rye Elymus virginicus 21.28% 4.6 3.000 PLS lb
Fowl Manna Grass Glyceria striata 0.60% 5.0 0.084 PLS lb
Bottlebrush Grass Elymus hystrix 3.55% 0.6 0.500 PLS lb
Path Rush Juncus tenuis 0.11% 5.7 0.016 PLS lb
Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 2.66% 2.1 0.375 PLS lb
Sedges & Rushes
Plains Oval Sedge 		Carex brevior 3.97% 6.0 0.560 PLS lb
Long-beaked Sedge Carex sprengelii 3.12% 1.6 0.440 PLS lb
Forbs
Common Yarrow 		Achillea millefolium 0.28% 2.6 0.040 PLS lb
Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum 0.99% 4.6 0.140 PLS lb
Wild Garlic Allium canadense 0.85% 0.0 0.120 PLS lb
Nodding Onion Allium cernuum 0.71% 0.3 0.100 PLS lb
Tall Thimbleweed Anemone virginiana 0.14% 0.2 0.020 PLS lb
Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis 0.28% 0.6 0.040 PLS lb
Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca 1.13% 0.2 0.160 PLS lb
Calico Aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 0.07% 0.9 0.010 PLS lb
Panicled Aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum 0.07% 0.6 0.010 PLS lb
Tall Bellflower Campanula americana 0.07% 0.6 0.010 PLS lb
Tall Coreopsis Coreopsis tripteris 0.57% 0.4 0.080 PLS lb
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 3.40% 1.2 0.480 PLS lb
Sweet Joe Pye Weed Eutrochium purpureum 1.13% 2.5 0.160 PLS lb
Ox-eye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides 3.55% 1.2 0.500 PLS lb
Stiff Sunflower Helianthus pauciflorus 0.07% 0.0 0.010 PLS lb
False Boneset Brickellia eupatorioides 0.28% 0.5 0.040 PLS lb
Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa 1.42% 5.1 0.200 PLS lb
Sweet Cicely Osmorhiza claytonii 0.28% 0.0 0.040 PLS lb
Foxglove Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis 0.85% 5.7 0.120 PLS lb
Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum 0.28% 0.0 0.040 PLS lb
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 1.12% 5.3 0.158 PLS lb
Late Figwort Scrophularia marilandica 0.43% 3.7 0.060 PLS lb
Solomon's Plume Maianthemum racemosum 0.85% 0.0 0.120 PLS lb
Ohio Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis 0.85% 0.4 0.120 PLS lb
Culver's Root Veronicastrum virginicum 0.14% 5.9 0.020 PLS lb

Substitutions may be made based on availability at the time of order.

Pure Live Seed

Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.

Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of a seed lot that consists of the desired species and is viable (capable of germination).   

Here's why PLS is crucial for native seeds:

  • Accurate Planting:
    • PLS helps determine the actual number of viable seeds in a given weight or volume of seed.   
    • This ensures you plant the correct amount of seed to achieve the desired density and success rate.   
  • Cost-Effectiveness:
    • By knowing the PLS, you can avoid overspending on seed that may not germinate.
    • This is especially important for native seeds, which can be more expensive than some cultivated varieties.
  • Weed Control:
    • PLS helps minimize the presence of weed seeds within the seed lot.
    • This reduces competition for resources and ensures the successful establishment of the desired native plants.
  • Ecological Restoration:
    • Using high-quality native seeds with a high PLS is essential for successful ecological restoration projects.
    • It helps to re-establish diverse and resilient plant communities that support local wildlife.

Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix (Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix) is a keystone Midwest native species highly prized by restoration ecologists, landscape architects, and home gardeners. Known for its strong ecological resilience, exceptional wildlife support, and a floristic high conservation value, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade across dry to mesic soils. Whether you are creating a dedicated pollinator garden, stabilizing soil on slopes, or restoring remnant prairie and woodland acreage, Natural Communities supplies this species in dependable formats—including deep-cell live plugs, bare-root stock, individual seed packets, and bulk Pure Live Seed (PLS) by weight.

Comprehensive Ecological & Growth Specifications

Regional Native Status Native
Native Range (States) AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Midwest & Regional County Distribution IL: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kendall, Boone, Winnebago, DeKalb, Ogle, LaSalle, Vermilion; WI: Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Dane, Sauk; IN: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph
USDA Hardiness Zones Zone 3 - 8
Soil Moisture Range Dry to Mesic
Soil pH Range 5.5 - 7.5
Root Architecture & Depth Deep Fibrous / Taproot System (12+ Depth)
Deer & Wildlife Resistance High to Moderate
Drought Tolerance Medium
Larval Host Status Specialist Native Lepidoptera & Native Pollinators
Specialist Insects & Wildlife Support Native Solitary Mining Bees (Andrena, Lasioglossum spp.), Bumblebees (Bombus spp. - Nectar & Pollen), Beneficial Flower Flies (Syrphidae), Native Songbirds (Winter Seed Forage)
Recommended Plug Spacing 12 to 18 on-center
Seed Packet Coverage Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft.
Seeds Per Pound 100000.0
Broadcast Seeding Rate (PLS) 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS
Drill Seeding Rate (PLS) 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS
Recommended Cover Crop Oats (Spring @ 20–30 lbs/ac) or Winter Wheat (Fall @ 15–20 lbs/ac)

Botanical Profile & Ecological Characteristics

Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix plays a critical role in establishing healthy, diverse native plant communities throughout the Midwest. Adapted over thousands of years to regional climate patterns, seasonal temperature extremes, and variable moisture conditions, it develops a resilient root architecture (deep fibrous / taproot system (12"+ depth)) that builds soil organic matter, improves water infiltration, and resists environmental stress.

This part sun mix took inspiration from the oak savannas and open woodlands that surround the Midwest.  Specifically designed for installation at the onset of restoration and also for overseeding of sunny woodlands that need a little bit of help, this mix contains some of the native species that begin and continue the healing process and provide competition for the dreaded buckthorn and other invasive plants, with a little bit of diversity added for functionality and aesthetics.  If you have high weed pressures from recently removed invasive woody and/or herbaceous species consider doubling the seeding rate to help compete against the invasive species. 

We would love to include Carex pensylvanica (Common Oak Sedge or Pennsylvania sedge) in the seed mix however, it does not typically produce enough seed for us to sell commercially. It is critically important to Midwest woodlands!  You can read about it at the aforementioned link.  Please consider adding several flats to your order.

This mix has 50% forb by seed count so you can attract those wonderful butterflies, bees, and pollinators! It also contains 11.5% sedges and rushes and 38% grasses.

*This seed mix contains 36 species including 26 species of wildflowers, 8 species of grasses, and 2 species of sedge.  

The species contained in this mix are certainly the backbone of woodland wildflowers and critical to restoration efforts.  However, certain native woodland plants can be very challenging to establish from seed and can take a lot of time to develop. To establish these hard to germinate beauties it is recommended that this mix is augmented with a diverse mix of woodland flowers, sedges, and grasses through supplemental plantings.  Also, remember that most folks overestimate the amount of light they receive.  If you believe that you are on the shadier side of things, also consider augmenting with more shade-tolerant woodland plants to fill out that end of the light spectrum. These supplemental woodland ephemeral flowers, grasses, and sedges are found by clicking here. 

*Provided as Pure Live Seed

*All mixes may vary in % composition and species composition based upon availability.  

All seed sales are final and can not be returned because they are custom mixed at the time of purchase. 

Faunal Associations & Specialist Wildlife Support

As a vital resource in native ecosystems, Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix provides essential sustenance across multiple trophic levels:

  • Larval Host & Pollinator Support: Specialist Native Lepidoptera & Native Pollinators.
  • Specialist Floral Visitors: Native Solitary Mining Bees (Andrena, Lasioglossum spp.), Bumblebees (Bombus spp. - Nectar & Pollen), Beneficial Flower Flies (Syrphidae), Native Songbirds (Winter Seed Forage).
  • Avian & Insect Forage: Flowers provide dense, accessible nectar and pollen during the peak growing season, followed by nutritious seed heads that feed native songbirds and overwintering wildlife.

Landscape Applications & Restoration Guidelines

Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix is well-suited for home landscaping borders, rain gardens, naturalized meadows, and conservation acreage alike.

  • Plug Spacing: Space live plugs approximately 12" to 18" on-center for optimal crown development and contiguous ground coverage.
  • Broadcast Seeding Rate: 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS (when included in diverse prairie seed mixes).
  • Drill Seeding Rate: 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS for agricultural or native seed drill installations.
  • Regional Provenance: Sourced and propagated from regionally adapted Midwest ecotypes for maximum ecological fitness and cold hardiness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the ideal growing conditions for Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix?
Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix performs best in full sun to partial shade with dry to mesic conditions. It thrives in authentic regional soil types ranging from sandy loam to well-drained clay loams.

How do I germinate and establish Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix from seed?
Seed of Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix has a germination code of C(30). For best results, sow seed in late fall/winter for natural outdoor freeze-thaw stratification, or cold-moist stratify in refrigeration for 30 to 60 days before spring indoor propagation.

Is Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix deer and herbivore resistant?
Yes. Native plants adapted to Midwestern habitats naturally produce protective secondary compounds and fibrous textures that make them highly resistant to deer, rabbits, and other grazing herbivores.

When should I expect Savanna & Woodland Native Seed Mix to emerge and bloom?
Established plants break dormancy in spring as soil temperatures warm, developing vigorous foliage before blooming in their seasonal window to provide vital nectar when native pollinators need it most.

Shipping & Care

Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.

We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance.  We hope you find it helpful.  If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.

Consultation Services

Ecosystem Restoration Considerations

Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices

Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices

View full details

Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit

Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.

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