How to Plant Wildflowers

Most wildflowers prefer a full sun location. Wildflower beds are ideal for slopes and uncultivated areas of your landscape. Make sure the area also has good drainage.

Depending on where you live, it's often better to sow perennial wildflowers in fall for a spring garden. Plant annual wildflower seeds according to the time indicated on the package.

To get started, pick a location that gets steady sunlight and break up the soil using a shovel. A rotary tiller will save time if you plan to plant a large area. Good soil is essential. If your existing soil is heavy with clay, mix in some sphagnum peat moss or composted organic material. Or you can use a premium garden soil. Consider making your own organic mulch by composting old leaves and lawn clippings.

Tip: Some wildflower types prefer partial shade or a wet soil. Make sure to read the package.

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Please note that just because a plant is a wildflower doesn’t mean it’s native to your region. If you prefer flowers that grow naturally where you live, make sure to choose wildflowers and wildflower mixes labeled “native only”. Below are some flowers often found in wildflower gardens and seed mixes:

• Alyssum
• Amaranthus
• Blanket flower
• Calendula
• California poppy
• Chrysanthemum
• Coneflower
• Cornflower
• Coreopsis
• Larkspur
• Cosmos
• Delphinium
• Painted daisy
• Prairie aster
• Prairie blazing star
• Purple prairie cover

Not all wildflowers grow well in every region. Before choosing a seed mix, make sure it works in your Hardiness Zone.

Pre-made mixtures of wildflowers are a convenient way to get a variety of long-lasting blooms that attract pollinators. Wildflower mixes consist of different colored annuals, biennials and perennials. Many will bloom better the second year following sowing.

Most packaged wildflower mixes can also include growing media and fertilizer. You won’t need to add sand, vermiculite or garden soil to broadcast the seed. If you're using a homemade seed mixture, add 4 parts inert matter to 1 part seed.

Growing wildflowers from seed is easy, rewarding and a budget-friendly way to make more plants. Before you plant, review the package for specifics on planting, thinning and height. Below are the basic steps:

• Read package directions before sowing your seeds. Some seeds need to be soaked in water before planting.
• Clear any existing vegetation.
• Scatter seeds across selected area.
• Gently run over the area with a leaf rake to help bury the seeds. If indicated, cover seeds lightly with soil, a mixture of soil and sand or decomposed granite. Some seeds don’t need light to germinate.
• Water with a light mist immediately after planting.
• Water the seedbed daily, keeping it moist and to get it established.
• Allow up to 21 days for germination.
• After the seeds have germinated, water every other day.
• Thin seedlings that grow too closely together so the strongest seedlings aren't competing for water and nutrients.
• Weed often.
• During the growing season, apply an organic fertilizer made especially for flowers.

Chaos gardening is when you mix things up. Instead of having separate spaces for different types of plants, you plant flowers, vegetables and herbs together. This creates a colorful, carefree garden that is continually changing with the seasons. Just like nature, a chaos garden creates a thriving ecosystem for plants, beneficial insects and local wildlife. Unlike structured gardening, a chaos garden allows plants to self-seed and grow in harmony with other native plants.

On the downside, aggressive or weedy plants can take over a chaos garden. You'll want to thin seedlings when they emerge and weed continually during the growing season for best results.

Carving out a section of your garden for wildflowers can reap seasons of bountiful beauty. But if you’d prefer the look of more natural habitat, plant a meadow of wildflowers. With its unique natural habitat look, a wildflower meadow provides the ideal backdrop for a traditional yard. The amount of space needed for a wildflower meadow vs. a wildflower garden varies. Start with at least 400 square feet. It can take several seasons for a wildflower meadow to fill in and mature. In the meantime, make sure to weed, mulch and sow more seeds as needed. Over time, your work will pay off as the flowers go to seed, germinate and grow again.

• Use shade cloth to protect tiny seedlings from burning.
• Cover seeds or seedlings with row covers or burlap during storms to prevent them washing away or being flattened.
• You can also grow wildflower mixes in containers, just be sure to not crowd the seeds.
• Due to the diversity of plant life in a wildlife garden, only use organic fertilizers.
• Make sure to choose the right space and choose a wildflower seed mix based on your region’s Plant Hardiness Zone.
• Wildflower gardens are havens for beneficial insects like lady beetles, lacewings, flies and praying mantises that provide natural pest control.
• Choose wildflowers that attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
• Be familiar with the flowers in the seed mix, so that you can identify weeds and prevent them from becoming a problem in your garden.
• Incorporate seedlings or plugs of your favorite wildflowers and native plants to build up your wildflower meadow quicker.