Create a Wildflower Garden

Experts estimate that over 20,000 types of wildflowers, flowers that flourish in the wild without human intervention, exist in North America alone.[citation needed] Most wildflowers have natural bug repellents, strong immune systems that protect the plants from garden diseases, and prosper without fertilization. You may decide to grow a wildflower garden because once established, they are relatively low-maintenance and provide a variety of colorful flowers.

Steps

Choosing the growing area

  1. Decide where to create a garden with wildflowers. Select a location that is similar to where the plants would grow in the wild. For instance, primrose grows along banks and rocky ridges, while Columbine prefers the shade of trees.
    • The size of the growing area is entirely up to you. It is best if you can set it aside to grow wild once the seeds have been sown, so perhaps consider placing it away from areas of the garden, yard or land that are frequently tended, such as lawns and vegetable plots.

Choosing the wildflowers

  1. Determine what types of wildflowers you want to plant. When you grow a natural garden, it is best to select flowers that are local to your area.
    • Visit a local nature preserve to find out what types of wildflowers flourish in your area. Bring a notebook with you so you can write down names of flowers you enjoy, and note what flowers grow well together.
    • Find information about natural gardening online, at the library, or at your local nursery store.
  2. Obtain wildflower seeds. Purchasing wildflower seeds at a nursery, online or garden shop will ensure that you receive fertile and ready-to-grow seeds.

Preparing the soil

  1. Prepare the soil. When you grow a natural garden, you need to get the soil ready for the seeds. Clear out the vegetation where you want to create your garden. Use a hoe.
  2. Till or rake the dirt about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.
  3. Mix in some potting soil with a hoe, to enrich the garden dirt. When you grow a natural garden, it needs to have nourishing soil.

Planting the wildflowers

  1. Plant your wildflower seeds in the spring when all danger of frost has passed.
  2. Sprinkle the seeds evenly in 1 direction. Then plant them in the other direction to ensure adequate coverage when you create a natural garden.
  3. Press the seeds into the soil with a garden roller or gently walk on them with your feet, rather than burying the seeds. When you create a garden with wildflowers, you don't want the seeds planted too deep, because they may not develop.
  4. If needed, net off the place where you have sown the seeds. This will help to stop birds eating them. After a good amount of growth has happened (around 2 to 5 months), you can lift up the netting and let it grow.
  5. Water your wildflower seeds, being careful not to drown them. The seeds should start sprouting within two weeks, and then you may need to water them occasionally, especially during the driest months of summer.

After flowering ceases

  1. Mow the land area only after flowers have seeded. Mow the flower garden once after the flowers have seeded and just before spring. You should then have a patch full of color and habitat.
  2. Start over the following spring. Lift up a new area of turf next to the existing growing area and throw in additional wildflower seeds collected from the existing flowers. Doing this will ensure that the wildflowers spread and grow well.

Tips

  • Sunflowers are a popular wildflower that needs to be reseeded every year. When you create a garden with wildflowers, sunflowers will give height to your garden.
  • Columbine is a perennial (plant that grows back every year) that comes in a variety of colors and blooms most of the summer.
  • Daisies come in a variety of color, including white, orange, yellow and gold. Daisies are hardy and should flourish in a natural garden.
  • Black-eyed Susan's are yellowish orange and black. They grow to medium height and reseed themselves.
  • Wild sage makes a wonderful ground cover and has purple flowers.
  • Lupines form a cone of purple flowers and grow back every year when you grow a wildflower garden.
  • Primroses bloom early in the spring and are good for ground coverage in natural gardens.
  • California poppies are a wildflower that grows in California, Oregon, Washington and the southeastern United States. Select poppies when you grow a wildflower garden if you live in an arid area. Poppies are drought resistant, abundant and grow well.
  • A mix of flower seeds such as clover, buttercup, daisies, marigold, violets and wild poppies can make for a lovely garden effect but these flowers do not appear together naturally, so bear this in mind and aim to keep this confined to your garden.
    • Getting a butterfly bush will add color and create a more natural looking place. It will also attract more butterflies.

Things You'll Need

  • Wildflower seeds
  • Hoe
  • Rake
  • Potting soil
  • Garden roller
  • Water

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Sources and Citations

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