Stoneroot / Collinsonia canadensis
Stoneroot, also known as richweed or horsebalm, has to be one of the most interesting woodland plants from our eastern forests, with big, toothed leaves and lovely lemon-scented yellow tubular flowers. From the mint family, the leaves can be used to make tea, while the roots have historically been used in herbal remedies. It makes a wonderful addition to shaded areas in the garden. It blooms from late summer to early fall when relatively few wildflowers are in bloom, providing a bridge to the more abundant fall aster and goldenrod bloom season.
Seed Planting/Germination Key
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, dark place prior to planting.
Rule of thumb for depth of planting: The maximum depth should generally be half the width of the seed, but many wildflower seeds will germinate well if sown on the surface.
Easy: Generally germinates within 5 to 30 days with no need for cold pretreatment. Keep potting mix or soil consistently moist during the germination period.
Cold(30): Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 30 days or outside in late winter.
Cold(60): Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 60 days or outside in mid-winter.
Cold(90); Outdoors: Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 90 days or outside in late fall or early winter. The best route is to plant these outdoors in either a pot or directly on the soil.
Approximate Seeds Per Packet: 10
Germination: Cold(90); Outdoors
Lifecycle: Perennial
Sunlight: Part, Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist, Medium
Height: 4
Bloom Period: August-September
Bloom Color: Yellow
USDA Zones: 4-8
Attracts: Bees
Larval Host For: Yellow Stoneroot Borer Moth