Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
(Slow-growing, with tricky timing and a short window for viable seed)

Seed Collection Time:

Late summer to early fall — typically August through September

Signs Seeds are Ready:

• Flowers are followed by small green berries that ripen to bright red

• Berries feel firm but not hard — slightly soft when gently squeezed

• Inside each berry is typically 1–2 small, hard, tan seeds

• Berries detach easily when gently pulled

Tip: Watch for ripe berries before wildlife removes them — birds often feed on them quickly.

Seed Collection Steps:

1. Collect fully red, ripe berries by hand or with snips

2. Gently mash berries in water to separate pulp from seeds

3. Rinse seeds well using a fine mesh strainer

4. Air-dry cleaned seeds briefly (1–2 days) before storage or stratification

5. Store in moist medium if not sowing immediately

Note: Seeds are tiny but durable — avoid drying them for long periods.

Germination Tips:

• Requires double dormancy:

  • ~3 months warm, then ~3 months cold stratification

• Sow outdoors in fall for natural dormancy cycling

• Germination may take 12–18 months — very slow to establish from seed

• Seedlings are tiny and may take several years to reach blooming size

Note: For faster propagation, rhizome division is preferred — but seed is valuable for genetic diversity and restoration.