WCS Academy

Gardening advice, How To Grow Guides, and Seasonal inspiration.

Explore practical articles on seed starting, crop-specific growing tips, seasonal planning, pest management, and garden projects from the West Coast Seeds team.

164 articles Updated seasonally by West Coast Seeds

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There’s no mistaking the colour and stature of annual Zinnias. Plant Zinnia seeds in average, well-drained garden soil, but dig in a generous amount of...

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There’s no mistaking the colour and stature of annual Zinnias. Plant Zinnia seeds in average, well-drained garden soil, but dig in a generous amount of well-rotted manure the previous fall. Pinch off growing tips...

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Unless otherwise stated, all the wildflower mixes will contain perennials, annuals, and biennials. Seeds must come into contact with the soil in order to germinate. Do...

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Unless otherwise stated, all the wildflower mixes will contain perennials, annuals, and biennials. Seeds must come into contact with the soil in order to germinate. Do not bury seeds more than 2-3 times their thickness. Continue...

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This large genus includes both hardy annuals and perennials that are variously known as pansies, violets, Johnny-Jump-Up, and Heartsease. Continue reading below for some tips on...

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This large genus includes both hardy annuals and perennials that are variously known as pansies, violets, Johnny-Jump-Up, and Heartsease. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow pansies and Violas.

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The scent of yarrow repels aphids, but their flowers attract hoverflies, lady beetles, and parasitoid wasps that prey on aphids and garden grubs. The leaves and...

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The scent of yarrow repels aphids, but their flowers attract hoverflies, lady beetles, and parasitoid wasps that prey on aphids and garden grubs. The leaves and stems of yarrow contain enzymes that break down rapidly,...

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Veronica is also known as Brid’s-eye and Speedwell. It is a popular hardy perennial that grows upright with multiple spires of intensely blue flowers. Continue reading...

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Veronica is also known as Brid’s-eye and Speedwell. It is a popular hardy perennial that grows upright with multiple spires of intensely blue flowers. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Veronica from...

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Tithonia is a heat-loving annual plant that grows very much like a sunflower. It gets quite tall, so works best in the back of the...

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Tithonia is a heat-loving annual plant that grows very much like a sunflower. It gets quite tall, so works best in the back of the border, but it looks wonderful planted in large groups....

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Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are annual climbing plants which can grow to heights of 1–2 meters (3-6'). Most varieties require a trellis for support. The flowers range...

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Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are annual climbing plants which can grow to heights of 1–2 meters (3-6'). Most varieties require a trellis for support. The flowers range with a variety of colours and intensity of fragrance....

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Strawflowers are well known by crafters and florists for their unusually high quality as dried flowers. The petals on each strawflower are like stiff paper,...

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Strawflowers are well known by crafters and florists for their unusually high quality as dried flowers. The petals on each strawflower are like stiff paper, and they unfold from the centre to form concentric...

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Sunflowers will grow in just about any well-drained soil, and they are drought tolerant.  Annual flowers that can grow to incredible heights in just one...

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Sunflowers will grow in just about any well-drained soil, and they are drought tolerant.  Annual flowers that can grow to incredible heights in just one season. Continue reading below for tips on how to...

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Statice is also known as sea-lavender and marsh-rosemary. It is widely grown for cut flowers and for dried flower arrangements. Continue reading below for some...

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Statice is also known as sea-lavender and marsh-rosemary. It is widely grown for cut flowers and for dried flower arrangements. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Statice from seed.

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Strawberries are hardy perennials, but the plants become less robust after about three years. Start strawberry plants from seed, and then propagate by cuttings and...

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Strawberries are hardy perennials, but the plants become less robust after about three years. Start strawberry plants from seed, and then propagate by cuttings and runners. Continue reading below for some pro tips on...

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Snapdragons are of the genus Antirrhinum also known as dragon flowers. They are native to rocky areas of western Europe. Snapdragons are tolerant of heat and...

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Snapdragons are of the genus Antirrhinum also known as dragon flowers. They are native to rocky areas of western Europe. Snapdragons are tolerant of heat and cold, but do best in summer, producing the familiar...

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Grow Sisyrinchium once, and the common name of Blue-Eyed Grass will make complete sense. The leaves of this low growing perennial are quite grass-like, and...

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Grow Sisyrinchium once, and the common name of Blue-Eyed Grass will make complete sense. The leaves of this low growing perennial are quite grass-like, and in summer it comes alive with very delicate blue...

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Scabiosa is sometimes listed as Sweet Scabious or Pincushion Flower. Also mourning bride. It is easy to plant and grow Scabiosa seeds. Continue reading below...

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Scabiosa is sometimes listed as Sweet Scabious or Pincushion Flower. Also mourning bride. It is easy to plant and grow Scabiosa seeds. Continue reading below for some tips on how to grow Scabiosa from...

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Start indoors in peat or coir pots 8-10 weeks before planting out. Alternately, direct sow in early spring or early autumn. For best results, place the...

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Start indoors in peat or coir pots 8-10 weeks before planting out. Alternately, direct sow in early spring or early autumn. For best results, place the seeds on the surface of pre-moistened soil, and tuck...

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Salvia is a close relative of conventional sage, but is grown for its handsome blue flowers rather than as a culinary herb. It is a...

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Salvia is a close relative of conventional sage, but is grown for its handsome blue flowers rather than as a culinary herb. It is a long-blooming member of the mint family. Continue reading below...

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Perennial Ratibida is also known as Prairie Coneflower and Mexican hat. It is native over a wide range in North America, from the Canadian south...

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Perennial Ratibida is also known as Prairie Coneflower and Mexican hat. It is native over a wide range in North America, from the Canadian south to the north of Mexico. It is closely related...

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This annual Rudbeckia is commonly known as Black Eyed Susan, but also answers to such folksy names as Brown Betty, Brown Daisy, Brown Eyed Susan,...

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This annual Rudbeckia is commonly known as Black Eyed Susan, but also answers to such folksy names as Brown Betty, Brown Daisy, Brown Eyed Susan, Golden Jerusalem, Poor-land Daisy, Yellow Daisy, and Yellow Ox-Eye...

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These annual and perennial flowering plants have striking similarities, but a surprising range of colours and growth habits. It is easy to grow poppies from...

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These annual and perennial flowering plants have striking similarities, but a surprising range of colours and growth habits. It is easy to grow poppies from seeds. In the right setting, they grow and then self-sow...

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Plectritis is a member of the honeysuckle family that is native to western North America, from Vancouver Island to southern California. Continue reading below for...

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Plectritis is a member of the honeysuckle family that is native to western North America, from Vancouver Island to southern California. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Plectritis from seed.

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The genus Physalis includes the edible ground cherry (aka Cape Gooseberry) and tomatillo, but the plant in question here is strictly ornamental. It is grown...

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The genus Physalis includes the edible ground cherry (aka Cape Gooseberry) and tomatillo, but the plant in question here is strictly ornamental. It is grown for its bright orange “Chinese Lantern” seed cases that...

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This easy-to-grow annual is one of the best pollinator attractors of all. Bees simply love the ample, long-lasting, purple flowers. It is often called Phacelia, Purple...

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This easy-to-grow annual is one of the best pollinator attractors of all. Bees simply love the ample, long-lasting, purple flowers. It is often called Phacelia, Purple Tansy, Scorpion flower, or heliotrope. It is easy to...

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Pale Evening Primrose is an important BC wildflower that provides food for our native pollinators. Learn how to grow Oenothera in your garden to feed...

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Pale Evening Primrose is an important BC wildflower that provides food for our native pollinators. Learn how to grow Oenothera in your garden to feed the bees and bring back this beautiful flower from...

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Nigella performs best in cooler growing areas, in ordinary, well-drained, pH-neutral soil. Fertilize and deadhead regularly, and water in long dry spells. It is easy...

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Nigella performs best in cooler growing areas, in ordinary, well-drained, pH-neutral soil. Fertilize and deadhead regularly, and water in long dry spells. It is easy to plant and grow Nigella seeds. Nigella may self...

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