“Nova Scotia Native Wildflower” seed pack. A collaborative project between Kristen De Palma and the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council.
As concern around environmental challenges and biodiversity loss grows,
gardeners are increasingly adopting pro-environmental and sustainable practices. This shift has led to a rising demand for native plants, which play a crucial role in supporting ecosystem health. Native wildflower gardens can serve as essential habitat for pollinators in otherwise resource-poor landscapes and contribute significantly to local biodiversity.
Kristen De Palma, a lettering and mural artist in Halifax, Nova Scotia, wanted to make her own contributions towards the growing sustainable gardening movement in her home province. Despite demand, she noticed a scarcity of native wildflower seeds and limited resources on native plants in the region.
“[Native plant seeds] are very hard to find and almost impossible to find in Nova Scotia,” said Kristen, owner of KDP Creative Lettering & Design.
“So, I thought there needs to be a way for people to be able to get their hands on these native plants if we want to encourage biodiversity and have people plant these species.”
Determined to address this gap, Kristen sought to create her own wildflower seed packets. With a background in hand lettering and a passion for Victorian-era design, she envisioned creating beautifully illustrated seed packets that would appeal to a wider audience. Her goal was to make seed packets that were not only functional and 100% Canadian, but also aesthetically pleasing and giftable.
“Seed packets used to be beautifully illustrated and hand drawn. And now, when you purchase seed packets, they’re all just boring stock photos. They’re not really an exciting product. So, I wanted to elevate them a little bit, make it a giftable product to the average person who wants to give something that’s thoughtful and also useful.”
Through her research developing the wildflower seed packets, Kristen discovered the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council’s ‘Grow Me Instead Guide’, a reference tool for gardeners to learn about invasive horticultural plants and their recommended native alternatives. To Kristen’s surprise, in the guide, Lupins (Lupinus polyphyllus), a flower Kristen associated with the East Coast, are listed as an invasive species in Nova Scotia.
“Everyone loves lupins, they’re everywhere. I thought they were the most East Coast thing,” said Kristen.
“They’re what I really associate with Pei and the highways driving across Nova Scotia. So that was my first introduction into the world of Invasive Species. I wanted to know what is an invasive species? What’s a native plant? Why do you plant native species at all?”
Wanting to learn more, she connected with Hughstin Grimshaw-Surette, Terrestrial Project Coordinator with the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council. Hughstin would become a crucial partner in creating the seed packets and identifying which species of plants should and shouldn’t be included.
“A challenge with these wildflower seed packets is when you think of “wildflowers” you think of finding them in the wild and you associate it with being a native plant,” said Hughstin.
“But in many cases, these wildflower seed packets do have some invasive species in them.”
Hughstin also emphasizes the importance of checking seed packets for scientific names and to research the species in each wildflower seed pack to ensure they don’t include invasive species. If you are unsure if a species is considered invasive, contact your provincial invasive species council or learn about native alternatives in your province with our Plant Wise and Grow Me Instead resources.
Kristen’s beautifully designed Nova Scotia Native Wildflower seed packet, backed by NSISC’s ecological knowledge, offer a unique way to promote native plants and support biodiversity. As Kristen looks to develop native wildflower packs for other regions across Canada, her work proves that even the smallest seeds can grow to make a significant impact.
Kristen’s wildflower seed packets are now available in local shops throughout Nova Scotia and online at toandfrom.ca or her Instagram @toandfrom.gifts.
