Starflower (Trientalis borealis)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
(Delicate seeds, small yields, limited window)

Seed Collection Time:

Mid to late summer — typically July through August, depending on region

Signs Seeds are Ready:

• Small, star-like white flowers give way to tiny capsule fruits

• Capsules turn from green to light brown when mature

• Seeds inside are tiny, round, and pale

• Capsules may split open and drop seeds quickly — watch closely!

Seed Collection Tips:

• Monitor plants frequently in late summer to catch ripening window

• Collect entire capsules before they dehisce (split open)

• Allow capsules to finish drying in a paper bag or shallow tray

• Shake or gently crush capsules to release seeds

• Sift seeds from remaining chaff using a fine mesh or screen

Germination Tips:

• Dormancy is likely — seeds may require a cold, moist stratification period

• Try 60–90 days in moist medium at refrigerator temperatures (around 4°C / 39°F)

• Even with stratification, germination is slow and unpredictable

• Starflower spreads more easily by rhizomes than by seed in cultivation