Mastodawn

@deborahh hollyhock

@ChrisCorrigan really! Do they do well without watering, like weeds? Hmm! Guerilla seeding those feels like flower-bombing! Ha ha ha. Maybe they'd be best sown in a ditch …

Reminds me of what else is in that family: some Mallows. Have to check for drought tolerant ones. Probably not "Marsh Mallow", LOL.

Thanks!

@deborahh for sure I’ve seen them growing in cracks. And the seed pods are soooooo abundant and easy to harvest, seems like there’s no reason not to

@deborahh is be careful not spreading too may non native plants though especially near to more native ecosystems. Things like morning glories and other self seeders and perennials might not be great.

Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦22h ago

@ChrisCorrigan yes! Morning glories are stranglers. I do have that in mind. Thanks :-)

Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦22h ago

@ChrisCorrigan the person who shared about pollinator plants pointed to a source for native plants. I'll rely on those lists for ideas.

WanderingHuman 🇨🇦1d ago

@deborahh Marigold and cosmos and both beautiful and very hardy. They are drought tolerant and need no maintenance, and aren't invasive. Consider also violas, aka Johnny jump ups. They have cute little faces, self-seed (but also aren't very invasive), and do just fine without maintenance.

@WanderingHuman oh! I love those! Thanks!

@WanderingHuman got it. That was the question i knew I'd need to research: what distinguishes native johnny jump ups from hybrids. Now I know the species (?) name as a starting point. 🙂 Thanks.

@WanderingHuman @ChrisCorrigan what about climbing sweet pea?

@deborahh @WanderingHuman needs support, but yeah what a beautiful smell.

Deborah Preuss, pcc 🇨🇦21h ago

@ChrisCorrigan @WanderingHuman I'm thinking: sweet peas along train track fences.
I'ge notice numerous garden-escapees along the GO train tracks east of here. It always delights the eye.

I may be too late for this year, but I can scout for next year!

@WanderingHuman @deborahh

AlsoPaisleyCat 🇨🇦1d ago

I would think about which ones are helpful to pollinators, especially wild bees.

Native species are better if you can source seed.

Depending where, milkweed could be a good option too.

Here are some ideas.

https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/what-native-plants-attract-pollinators-in-ontario/

What native plants attract pollinators in Ontario?

Ontario has a variety of unique and important pollinators that maintain the province’s natural systems and economy. Help them support you by planting native wildflowers and plants from your ecoregion.

David Suzuki Foundation

@AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman oh! Good idea! 👍

@deborahh @AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman

❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️1d ago

Have you tried making seed bombs?

https://askgardening.com/how-to-make-seed-bombs-with-paper-flour-without-clay/

DIY Seed Bombs With Clay, Flour or Paper (Easy)

It is easy and fun to make seed bombs to start a wildflower patch to attract bees and other pollinators to your vegetable and fruit garden. In this article, we will show you some recipes

AskGardening

@AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman miljweed is ugly, though, and my goal is to delight the eye, for starters.
Pretty sure the city would rip that out right fast. And we have lots of wild ravines and home gardens with milkweed, that I've seen.

@deborahh @AlsoPaisleyCat @WanderingHuman

George B 1d ago

I remember reading that some milkweeds are toxic to spotted lantern flies which is a point in its favor

Sean Lynch 1d ago

@deborahh

Mint grows like weeds, so mint

@SeanPLynch oh, right. And things in the mint family (there are plenty).

Finally I have a reason to get out and walk more: clandestinely scoping out where to drop my guerilla flower seeds. 🤫

Leona 1d ago

@deborahh I'd suggest watching out for local pollutants before dropping seeds. Areas with a lot of traffic, car or foot, will be very unfriendly for germination and growing. Areas frequently sprayed with herbicides, flood prone, salt build up (road salt or runoff from fertilizer). Places that used to be/ are near chemical/ waste heavy spots (oil change, mechanic shop, restaurants, more)

Not trying to be negative! Just don't want you to waste effort. Seed bombs are great, but work best in areas already friendly to growth. Most barren spots are barren for a reason; if I'm reading the OP right, that's what you're focused on.

If I missed something, or if I'm saying something you've already factored in, I'm sorry; I can get opinionated sometimes. :) don't let me discourage you!

@Lionesslady I hadn't thought of salt ... something to think about.
I'm not vorried about waste - it's the gesture that will be fun, for me, I hope.
But your tips may bring more joy later, too!
🙏

Machine Lord Zero 17h ago

@deborahh What's native to the area?