Maritime Arboretum Seed Bluebead Lily

Clintonia borealis

Bluebead Lily is a hardy native woodland perennial known for its attractive broad green leaves, nodding yellow flowers in spring, and distinctive bright blue berries that develop later in the season. It is an excellent choice for shaded woodland gardens and naturalized areas.

Approximate Maximum Height: 10 m
Zone(s): Zone 6-9
About the Seeds: Clean Seed

Lighting: Partial shade to full shade. Bluebead Lily naturally grows on cool, shaded forest floors and performs best in moist, humus-rich soil with limited direct sunlight.

Germination: Bluebead Lily seeds require cold, moist stratification. A commonly recommended treatment is approximately 60 days of cold stratification, followed by 30 days of warm stratification and another 60 days of cold stratification. Sow approximately 3 mm (⅛") deep in a well-drained growing medium. Germination can occur within 1-3 months after sowing but may take up to a year.

Watering: Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged during stratification and germination. Once seedlings emerge, maintain even moisture and do not allow young plants to dry out while they are becoming established. Bluebead Lily prefers cool, moist growing conditions.