Seedling Identification

The biggest risk to a first-year meadow is mistaking young natives for weeds, then mowing them too low or pulling them out. These photos show common native species at the seedling and early rosette stage, so you can recognize what’s coming up before it flowers.

The photos were taken in our own greenhouse, in plug trays, in late March. Seedlings in the field will look broadly similar, but they’re often smaller, more spread out and a little tougher-looking in full sun. Select a species name to see its full description, and see Common Meadow Weeds for the plants you do want to remove.