When I started propagating native plants, I hadn’t anticipated how long some of them might take to mature and bloom. Grass widows (Olsynium douglasii) are a perfect example. My oldest seedlings are probably five years old now. They seem tiny and fragile. Because of that, I’ve kept them in pots outside. I see their leaves pop up every year and they only seem a tiny bit bigger and more robust each year.
But this year, one of them was more robust than the others! And it flowered! My first grass widow flowers ever. I have never seen this plant growing wild.
Such a beautiful plant when it blooms; it is very grass-like otherwise, which is likely its survival strategy.
Looking around my seed pots, I found myriad seedlings popping up! They hold so much promise (and so much effort in getting them all to planting-out size!)!
Most of these were started in the summer or autumn last year, and some were planted at the end of 2025 as part of my holiday seed starting fest.
This is just a small sampling–there are hundreds of others! Easily 1,000 overall! Tony’s unofficial native nursery is in full swing!
Remember that some natives can be planted in the spring; the Pacific Northwest pollinator mixes are good candidates for spring sowing. Some options are below. And mark your calendar for purchasing some fall-planted seeds at the same time.