The NARGS Seed Exchange is dependent on the generosity of all our members to donate seeds from desirable plants. Help keep the diverse range of plants you grow in active cultivation by collecting and sharing seeds with other members through the Seed Exchange. The Seed Exchange is only as good as the seeds that are sent in - please collect and donate seeds!
Attention International members: When sending your seed donations to the USA, please mark them as "Gift" and keep the value below $100 to ensure they are allowed in without incurring tariff duties.
ADVANTAGES OF DONATING
Seed donors are defined as members who contribute sufficient seed from at least 5 different taxa appropriate for the seed exchange. Donors receive 10 extra packets of seed in their Main round order (35 packets total), while non-donors receive only 25 packets. Additionally, Main round orders from seed donors are filled before those from non-donors. Finally, donors receive the recognition and gratitude of their fellow members. Status as a donor will be determined by the Intake Manager; see below “What to Send” and "Unacceptable Seeds” for what is appropriate.
COLLECTING AND PREPARING SEED
Collect seeds as they ripen; many seeds will change color (usually tan-brown-black) or separate easily from their seed heads when they are ripe. Identify and label the seeds when you collect them. Check out Seed Exchange Helpful Links for links to help you identify what the seed should look like, as well as how to clean the seed. Collect and send enough seed for a minimum of 5 packets, if possible. Please make sure the seeds are correctly identified before sending them.
Clean the seed as soon as possible after collecting, by removing the seed from capsules/pods and discarding all debris and chaff. Most seeds can be cleaned using a sieve, tweezers, and a magnifying glass. If there is a lot of debris, working in small batches can make it easier to separate the seed from the chaff. If the seed is enclosed in a fleshy fruit, remove as much moist material as possible. Cleaning your seeds is very important, as many countries are strict about the seeds that they allow to enter. The seed needs to be clean enough to ensure our seed packagers are packing viable seeds in each packet. Unclean or diseased seeds will be discarded.
Do not collect seeds in areas where this is forbidden, such as national parks and certain other preserves. We encourage collectors to be aware that rare plants merit special consideration and should not be distributed or propagules taken unless there is sufficient local stock to successfully perpetuate the population. In most cases, this means minimal or no collecting. Do not collect seeds where the species is endangered. Please do not donate any items that are considered noxious weeds. US members should check their state list of Invasive and Noxious Weeds: https://plants.usda.gov/noxious-invasive-search
EPHEMERAL/RECALCITRANT/HYDROPHILIC SEED (US DONORS ONLY)
The Seed Exchange can accept moist-packed ephemeral/recalcitrant/hydrophilic seeds if it is properly packed. This includes many spring-blooming woodlanders and some members of the Ranunculaceae family, which germinate better if not allowed to dry out. Pack the fresh-collected ephemeral seed in a re-sealable plastic bag with slightly damp vermiculite (not perlite) - do NOT individually pack them. Use damp vermiculite to keep the seeds from drying out; check the bag periodically to ensure that the seeds are damp, but not wet (as they would be in nature). Please write on the donation form that the seeds are moist packed.
Most ephemeral seeds should be kept at room temperature (~70°F) for storage. We do not have the ability to keep seed refrigerated for the full length of the seed exchange, so DO NOT put the moist-packed seed in the refrigerator before sending it into the exchange - changes in temperatures may trigger premature germination. If you can’t send it moist-packed, you may still send ephemeral seed in the normal, dry-stored way; it is often still viable but takes longer to germinate.
PACKAGING SEED FOR DONATION
Please use glassine, resealable clear plastic, or paper envelopes. Glassine envelopes may be purchased HERE. If using plastic bags for small seeds, first enclose them in a smaller packet (folded paper, wax paper, or foil) to prevent seeds from clinging to the plastic. The seeds will be divided into individual packets by volunteers, so please have the seeds as clean as possible (no chaff or debris).
For all Overseas and Canadian donations, seed should be visible through the envelope, because they must go through the USDA Plant Inspection station. Also, use adhesive tape, not glue, to seal the packets so the inspectors can easily open them for inspection and re-seal them, if needed.
MAKE SURE THAT THE SEED ENVELOPES DO NOT LEAK! Many seeds are lost from packets that are not properly sealed, especially from the corners of the envelope. Paper "coin" or regular envelopes, and some styles of glassine envelopes, are particularly prone to corner gaps, since they are not meant to hold tiny seeds. Place a small piece of tape a little beyond the tip of the corner, then fold the tape over the tip on all corners, or fold up the bottom 1/8" and tape the corners (see photos below). Fold (or double-fold) the opening flap down an extra 1/8- 1/4 inch (6mm) beyond the inner edge, so there is no possible opening for the seeds to escape, and seal well.
PRINT IN EASILY READABLE, GOOD-SIZED LETTERS on the OUTSIDE (not on a slip of paper inside) of each packet: the botanical name with genus and species (no abbreviation of genus); collection site and country (if wild-collected); color and height (if unusual). Your last name (and country if outside the U.S.) is required on every seed packet.
If seeds are very moist, particularly aroids, Paeonia, Acanthus, and Iris, enclose them in plastic with a paper towel to absorb the moisture and prevent to from ruining the rest of the seeds. You may remove the “tails” of seeds, such as Clematis and Pulsatilla, and the “tufts” on seeds, such as those found in the Aster or Milkweed families.
Fern spores and dust-like seeds should be divided into individual packets by the donor, as the seeds are so small and difficult to repackage. Those individual packets should be small enough to fit inside the glassines used for distribution, about 1 inch/ 2.5 cm square; folded foil or waxed paper works well.
SEED DONATION FORM
The Seed Donation Form is included with the Donation Instructions insert in the Summer issue of the Rock Garden Quarterly or click on the Donation Form PDF to access the form which can be filled out on your computer (use your tab key to move from one field to the next), printed, and mailed with your seed donation. You can also download the PDF to your computer to fill in, print out, and save a copy for your records.
Fill out the form with the botanical names listed alphabetically. For wild-collected seeds, the country of origin is necessary; other site information is appreciated. The remaining information (height, flower color) can prove useful if there is variability in the species and is required if the species name is unknown (e.g., Aster sp.). If you do not use the Seed Donation Form, you must enclose a written or typed alphabetical list of the seeds you are sending. Include your name and mailing address, plus your email address.
Canadian and overseas members: If you do not use the Seed Donation Form, you must enclose a written or typed alphabetical list of the seeds you are sending. At the top of the form, write: “Unless otherwise stated, all seed is of cultivated origin in the donor’s country." This is required to pass the Plant Inspection. Include your name and mailing address, plus your email address. List all the seeds that you are sending. Any seed packet that is not listed on the donation form will not be allowed entry and could delay the entire shipment beyond our seed list deadline. You must include the full botanical name (genus and species) in case that genera include species on the CITES or ESA list, to verify that it is not a restricted species.
HOW TO SEND SEED
Place the securely sealed seed packets and completed Donation Form in a padded mailing envelope or box. If you use a regular envelope, wrap the seed packets with plenty of padding inside the mailing envelope; postal sorting machines will crush seeds that are not well protected, making them unusable.
>>> FOR US MEMBERS:
Mail your donation to the Intake Manager (address below under Questions and on the Donation Form) as early as possible. DO NOT SEND SEED TO ANY OTHER ADDRESS. You may send more than one shipment if you have a lot of seed or some early-ripened seed and later-ripening seed. For USA MEMBERS - Seeds MUST BE RECEIVED by November 1, so send them by October 26. Items may not be added to the catalog after that date.
>>> FOR OVERSEAS AND CANADIAN MEMBERS:
You must use the Small Lots of Seeds import permit and green & yellow mailing label, which will be with the Summer edition of the Rock Garden Quarterly, or which can be obtained by contacting the Seed Intake Manager. Please follow the instructions below very carefully, or your seed will not reach the exchange. Check the Restricted Seed page to make sure what you are sending is allowed entry. Any seeds you list as "sp" must not have any species of that genus listed as restricted (since inspectors cannot rule it out as being the restricted species if there is no species name). The seed goes through the Plant Inspection Station first, so for it to be received on time, Canadian & Overseas members’ seed donations MUST BE MAILED BY 15 OCTOBER. Seed arriving late may not arrive in time to be listed; if possible, email the Seed Intake Manager a copy of your donation form when you mail your seed.
>INSIDE the mailing envelope, Overseas and Canadian donors must place the following items:
- Seed packets, labeled with the full botanical name (genus and species), your last name, and country;
- Completed seed donation form listing ALL seeds in shipment;
- Copy of the USDA Import Permit with the white mailing label still attached to the permit; Plant Inspectors will apply this label to forward the seeds to the Seed Intake Manager after inspection.
>OUTSIDE the mailing envelope:
- Secure the green & yellow shipping label (attached to the import permit) as the only shipping label on the mailing envelope; it will direct your seed to the U.S. Port Inspection station. Use adhesive tape (do not glue) to attach the label. Inspectors must be able to easily remove the label before forwarding the shipment to us. DO NOT put the white shipping label from the import permit on the mailing envelope; the inspector will apply the label after inspection.
- Add your return address to the upper left corner of the envelope
There is a limit of 50 seed packets per shipment going through the Plant Inspection station. If you have more than 50 packets to send, or you mail early and plan to send a second shipment of seed later, please request another set of the import permit and mailing label from the Intake Manager as soon as possible.
Individual seed packets must not exceed 10 grams (or 50 seeds if large seeds); you may divide the seed into two or more packets to comply with the weight restriction, but each packet counts towards the 50-packet limit per shipment.
LATE-RIPENING SEED (US DONORS ONLY)
If you are sure you will have late-ripening seed to send after November 1, you must send a list of those seed names to the Intake Manager for inclusion in the catalog by November 1 and mail the late-ripening seed to arrive by December 1. This special service may be used ONLY for late-ripening seeds; it is NOT intended to provide donor numbers to procrastinators, and you MUST send all other seeds you have collected BEFORE the November 1 deadline!
WHAT TO SEND
The most frequently ordered items in the Seed Exchange are from small, highly ornamental alpine plants, especially those collected in the wild. Seeds from very unusual plants, especially from temperate climates, as well as woodland plants and the seeds of uncommon bulbs, are also much desired. Always highly sought are seeds of Adonis, Arisaema, Cyclamen, Edraianthus, Erythronium, Fritillaria, Hepatica, Paeonia, and Trillium, as well as some of the smaller or rarer species of Aquilegia, Campanula, Clematis, Eritrichium, Gentiana, Lewisia, Penstemon, and Primula. There are also some requests for easily grown ornamental garden standards, but see the comments on the Unacceptable Seeds below. Seeds sent without species designation (listed as “sp.”) are rarely requested, unless of highly desirable genera, and must include a description. North American members in particular are urged to collect more seed of alpine plants in the wild, where allowed.
UNACCEPTABLE SEED LIST
Certain items are not allowed or desirable. Non-U.S. members, be sure to check the list of Restricted seeds that may not be imported into the U.S. In general, the following kinds of plants should NOT be sent to the Seed Exchange:
- Plants prohibited from entry by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), CITES, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), or those needing treatment to mitigate the possibility of carrying pests or diseases;
- For non-US members - ALL species of Lathyrus, Hibiscus, Berberis, Mahonia, members of the Rutaceae family, grasses, or parasitic plants from outside the USA are not allowed and will be confiscated at USDA Plant Inspection Stations;
- Noxious Weeds - Some plants are considered noxious pests, acting as invasives in parts of the U.S., even though they may be on their best behavior in other areas. US members should check with their state list of Noxious Weeds: https://plants.usda.gov/noxious-invasive-search;
- Common trees and large shrubs, unless wild collected; uncommon species are acceptable;
- Annuals or large perennials available from commercial seed catalogs, or large quantities of seed of cultivars of common groups such as Eryngium, Hemerocallis, Hosta, or bearded Iris;
- Plants taller than 1-meter requiring frost-free culture, or Aquatic plants;
- Food plants of little ornamental value.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about donating seed or need additional permits/labels, please contact the Seed Exchange Intake Manager:
Confirmation of your seed donation will be sent by email if you include your email address on the donation form. Otherwise, the list of all donors and donor numbers will be included in the Seed List. Do not send requests for seed to this address.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The NARGS Seed Exchange Seed List and online ordering will appear on the website on December 15th - so mark your calendar! You will be able to view the list online a few days before opening to research and plan your order.
A PRINT COPY of the Seed List, with a form for ordering by mail, will be mailed ONLY to members who request one by December 1. Contact:
QUICK METRIC CONVERSIONS:
All plant heights will be listed in metric units. For your convenience, here are some approximate conversions from inches to centimeters:
