Wildflowers are among Nature's most precious gifts. One of the many appeals of wildflowers is their
low-maintenance need. Designed by Nature to tolerate
natural growing conditions, once established, wildflowers usually require less
attention than more "cultivated" types. In
other words, if they are adapted to the climate and elevation of the site, they
will probably need less water, less pruning, little if any fertilizer,
and little pest control.
Creative ideas for gardening with wildflowers include wildflower meadows,
borders, rock gardens, hillside or roadside plantings, and as a cover for
spring bulbs.
Commercially available wildflower seed mixes provide a combination of species
that will provide a long season of multicolored blooms. You
may also purchase individual species separately for a selected display of your
particular favorites. Wildflower seed collected from
landscapes or natural sites can be utilized as well.
Wildflowers for sunny
Plant wildflowers to germinate with winter rains and they will come to bloom
with the spring sunshine. Providing the same
conditions under which they grow naturally is the key to success, so be sure to
match the needs of the species to conditions in your planting site. Select a site that offers good drainage and at least eight
hours of sunlight per day.
Remove existing vegetation from the planting site. Cultivate
the seedbed by raking or lightly tilling soil to a depth of one inch. Shallow soil preparation will limit the disturbance of
dormant weed seeds. Broadcast the seed over the
prepared soil and cover with soil or compost to a depth twice their thickness. For small seed, this should be no more than ¼ inch. Press or tamp seed into the soil with a sod roller or the
back of a rake - good contact with the soil is essential for seed germination.
The seedbed should be kept moist for 4 to 6 weeks during the establishment
period for best results. Supplemental watering with a
garden hose may be necessary if natural rainfall is inadequate. Light and frequent applications of water should be applied
to keep the ground moist.
Once your wildflowers begin to germinate do not allow the site to completely
dry out but avoid over watering the area. If the soil
becomes overly saturated, the seedlings could die from the lack of oxygen
supplied to the root system. To prolong the bloom
season, water once a week. Water needs will increase
as the weather heats up.
Protect the planting from seed-eating birds. Weeds
compete for moisture and nutrients, so remove any of these as they appear. Fertilizer application should not be necessary.