Manyflower Stickseed: A Native Wildflower with Personality
If you’re looking for a native wildflower that’s both charming and slightly mischievous, let me introduce you to manyflower stickseed (Hackelia floribunda). This quirky little plant gets its memorable name from its habit of producing sticky seeds that seem determined to hitch a ride on anything that passes by – including unsuspecting gardeners!
What Is Manyflower Stickseed?
Manyflower stickseed is a native North American wildflower that belongs to the borage family. You might also encounter it listed under its botanical synonyms Hackelia leptophylla or Lappula floribunda in older gardening references. This herbaceous plant can be either biennial or perennial, depending on growing conditions, and is classified as a forb – meaning it’s a non-woody flowering plant that dies back to the ground each winter.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This adaptable native has quite an impressive range across North America. You’ll find manyflower stickseed growing wild from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, down through much of the western and central United States. Its range includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, with even a presence in Pennsylvania.
What Does It Look Like?
Manyflower stickseed produces delicate, small flowers that are typically blue to purple with white centers, measuring just 2-4 millimeters across. True to its name, it produces many flowers arranged in characteristic coiled clusters called scorpioid cymes – a fancy term for the curved, unfurling flower arrangements typical of the borage family. The flowers have a sweet, subtle charm that works beautifully in naturalized settings.
Why Grow Manyflower Stickseed?
There are several compelling reasons to consider this native wildflower for your garden:
- Native plant benefits: Supporting local ecosystems and wildlife
- Pollinator friendly: Attracts small bees, flies, and other beneficial insects
- Low maintenance: Thrives with minimal care once established
- Drought tolerant: Perfect for water-wise landscaping
- Adaptable: Grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-8
The Sticky Situation
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – those sticky seeds! The plant produces small nutlets covered in tiny hooks that readily attach to fur, fabric, and skin. While this can be slightly annoying during garden maintenance, it’s actually a clever evolutionary adaptation that helps the plant spread naturally. Just be prepared to spend a few extra minutes picking seeds off your clothes after working around mature plants.
Best Garden Settings
Manyflower stickseed shines in specific garden situations:
- Wildflower meadows: Perfect for naturalized areas
- Native plant gardens: Excellent for supporting local wildlife
- Xeriscapes: Thrives in low-water landscapes
- Slope stabilization: Helps prevent erosion on hillsides
- Cottage gardens: Adds informal charm with minimal upkeep
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the best things about manyflower stickseed is its easygoing nature. This plant typically grows in non-wetland conditions but can occasionally tolerate some moisture – it’s classified as facultative upland across most of its range.
Ideal growing conditions include:
- Well-drained soil (it’s not fussy about soil type)
- Full sun to partial shade
- Minimal watering once established
- USDA zones 3-8
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Getting started with manyflower stickseed is refreshingly simple:
- Seeding: Direct sow seeds in fall or early spring
- Spacing: Allow natural spacing as plants self-seed
- Watering: Water until established, then rely on natural rainfall
- Maintenance: Minimal care required; deadhead if you want to prevent excessive self-seeding
- Management: Be prepared to thin seedlings if the plant becomes too enthusiastic in spreading
Should You Plant It?
Manyflower stickseed is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to support native wildlife while enjoying a low-maintenance wildflower. It’s particularly well-suited for naturalized areas where its self-seeding habit is an advantage rather than a concern. However, you might want to think twice about planting it near high-traffic areas or formal garden beds where the sticky seeds could become bothersome.
If you’re creating a native plant garden, wildflower meadow, or drought-tolerant landscape, manyflower stickseed deserves serious consideration. Just remember to source your plants or seeds from reputable native plant suppliers, and be prepared for a charming wildflower that knows how to make its presence known – sticky seeds and all!
