At Hidden Habitat, we believe the success of native plant restoration begins with responsible seed sourcing. Our seeds are ethically sourced from wild populations and carefully tended seed orchards. All of our seeds are harvested sustainably to protect local ecosystems and preserve genetic diversity. By choosing our seeds, you are planting species that are truly adapted to Ontario’s landscapes—ideal for ecological restoration, pollinator habitat, shoreline naturalization, and resilient native gardens.
We prioritize regional seed provenance because plants grown from locally adapted genetics are more likely to establish successfully, withstand local climate conditions, and support native wildlife relationships that have evolved over thousands of years.
Our Seed Provenance
Transparency in seed origin is essential for ecological restoration and responsible planting. All of our wild harvest and seed orchard seeds are sourced from within the Georgian Bay Ecoregion: Seed Zones: 28, 29, 31, and 34, unless otherwise noted.
Why Seed Source Matters
Using regionally sourced native seed helps:
- Support pollinators and wildlife that rely on specific plant genetics
- Improve plant survival and climate resilience
- Protect local biodiversity
- Maintain ecological integrity across restoration projects
By choosing responsibly sourced seed, you are helping preserve Ontario’s natural heritage for future generations.
Hidden Habitat offers seed from the following provenance categories:
Wild Type – Wild Harvested
Wild-harvested seed is ethically and sustainably collected from naturally occurring plant populations. All of our collections are conducted with landowner permission and careful ecological consideration.
Our wild harvest procedures follow best management practices including:
- Collecting no more than 10% of mature seed from healthy, well-established plant communities.
- Ensuring the majority of seed remains available for natural regeneration and wildlife food sources.
- Selecting genetically diverse and resilient populations.
Wild Type – Seed Orchard Harvested
This seed is harvested from our managed seed orchards located at Hidden Habitat within the traditional territories of the Mississauga, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, and Anishinabewaki Peoples.
Location:
Gravenhurst, Ontario within the Georgian Bay Ecoregion, Seed Zone: 31 and, Eco District: 5E-8 MU French-Severn (360)
The seed used to establish these orchards was originally collected from wild populations within the Georgian Bay Ecoregion using ethical and sustainable harvesting practices with landowner permission.
Our seed orchards:
- Maintain wild-type genetic characteristics
- Provide consistent and sustainable seed production
- Allow for careful monitoring of plant health and pollination
- Are currently producing seed in their first generation, maintaining strong ties to original wild populations
Learn more about our seed orchards.
Cultivated Type
Cultivated type seed is collected from our demonstration gardens containing Ontario native plant species with unverified original seed source.
These plantings:
- Have undergone multiple generations of growth at Hidden Habitat
- Are periodically overseeded with Ontario wild-type seed when available
- Provide valuable seed supply for restoration and landscaping where strict provenance is not required.
What is a Seed Orchard?
A seed orchard is a managed planting of native plant species grown specifically for high-quality seed production. Unlike agricultural monocultures, native seed orchards are developed using genetically diverse plant material collected from wild populations within a defined ecological region.
At Hidden Habitat, our seed orchards are designed to:
- Maintain genetic diversity by establishing plants from multiple wild populations
- Provide reliable and sustainable seed supply without placing pressure on wild plant communities
- Allow careful monitoring of plant health, seed maturity, and harvest timing
- Support research and observation of plant performance in regional growing conditions
Seed orchards serve as a bridge between wild populations and restoration projects, ensuring seed availability while protecting natural ecosystems from overharvesting.
How Seed Orchards Support Sustainability and Conservation
Seed orchards play an important role in responsible native plant production and long-term ecological stewardship. By cultivating seed-producing populations, seed orchards help:
Reduce Pressure on Wild Populations
Harvesting seed from orchards minimizes the need to repeatedly collect from sensitive natural habitats.
Preserve Regional Genetics
Orchards are established using locally sourced seed, helping maintain plant traits adapted to specific soils, climate, and wildlife interactions.
Improve Seed Availability
Native plant restoration efforts require consistent, reliable seed supply. Seed orchards allow for increased seed production while maintaining ecological integrity.
Support Habitat Restoration
Seed orchards help ensure native species remain available for restoration projects, pollinator habitat development, and conservation landscaping.
Read about Hidden Habitat’s to develop our native seed orchards
For guidance on how to best sow your native plant seeds please read our seeding instructions.