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Wulfenia bullii

Kittentails

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A member of the Plantain family (Plantaginaceae), Kittentails are a rare perennial plant on the threatened species list in the Upper Midwest. This plant is also sometimes called by the common name Bull's Coraldrops, and by the botanical names Besseya bullii or Veronica bulli.  
Kittentails have suffered a significant decline as a result of habitat loss. Historically, the population center of this plant was located in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, but urban development has destroyed large portions of the population. Some fragmented populations still survive on protected public lands in the area, including Afton State Park, MN. 
 
In many cases this species will also suffer if the prairie is not managed by prescribed burning in early spring, or late fall. Once the plant has appeared from the ground, fires will cause damage to Kittentails. Careful timing of spring burns is critical to the preservation of this species. Any known populations should be protected from development and managed with care.


Wulfenia bullii - Kittentails

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

2 Questions asked on Wulfenia bullii

Any chance these seeds would grow via the C(60) germination code?
Hi Andy, There is a chance, but germination may be quite low. Usually, our "M" germination code means that the natural temperature and moisture cycles help to break the seed dormancy.
This is a comment rather than a question. I had low germination for these even planting them out in the fall. This year I got a late start and decided to use the refrigerator to condition the seeds, but knowing they were an M code, I decided I’d better fluctuate them back and forth from cold to warm. It is easy to do this when I turn my grow lights on or off. I’ve only been doing this for fifteen days and I’ve got some germination. I’m so excited since, as I said, I haven’t been lucky with these! I thought this might be helpful to someone else.
How exciting! Thank you for sharing, Cindi!

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*please note, we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to *MN Sales Tax.

Shipping & Handling Charges
SEED$100.00 and under: $5.00
over $100.00: 5% of the total seed cost

BARE ROOT PLANTS$50.00 and under: $7.50
over $50.00: 15% of the total plant cost

*MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders shipping to Minnesota only. Shipping & Handling Charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within a day or two upon receipt.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS outside the contiguous US or to California due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Seeds/Packet
100
Seeds/Ounce
80,000
Germination Code
M
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full, Partial
Soil Moisture
Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height
8 inches
Bloom Time
May, June
Bloom Color
Yellow
USDA Zones
3-5
Plant Spacing
8-12"
Catalog Code
WUL02F