Maintenance & Care of Wildflowers

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Caring For Wildflowers

• Wildflower Garden Maintenance


• Reseeding Wildflowers


• Expectations For Your Wildflowers

MAINTAINING A WILDFLOWER STAND

Maintenance is an essential ingredient in the creation of a successful wildflower stand. The key to an effective, long-term wildflower maintenance program is evaluation and timely follow-up. The site should be evaluated periodically during the growing season to determine if expectations are being met.

Reseeding: Perennial plantings should be reseeded if there are bare spots in the area. It is best to reseed annuals every year if the long lasting color from annuals is desired. In the fall remove dead seed stalks and excessive plant material by mowing or cutting to a height of four to six inches. This will also allow the reseeding of any viable seeds.

Fall reseeding should be late enough so that annual seeds do not germinate until spring. If reseeding perennials be sure to allow 10-12 weeks of growing time to allow the plants to go dormant for the winter or wait until soil temperatures drop so germination does not occur. In the north the soil temperatures need to be low enough that the wildflower seeds will remain dormant until spring, then when the grounds warm up the seeds will germinate. Spring reseeding should be completed as soon as the ground is workable and after the last killing frost.

In areas with moderate winters, Wildflowers can be seeded in late Fall, resulting in an early spring blooming period and to take advantage of spring rainfall. An adjacent planting can be made that same spring to extend flowering blooms into Summer and Fall of the year.

Weed Control: A monthly program of weed control is essential to ensure a satisfactory display of wildflowers year after year. Weeds should be eliminated as soon as they can be recognized, either by pulling, spot-spraying with a general herbicide, or selective cutting with a string trimmer.

Supplemental Watering: Water is a critical factor in wildflower maintenance. In moist climates, regular rainfall may make supplemental watering unnecessary. In arid climates or during drought conditions, up to 1/2 inch of supplemental water per week may be required to maintain an optimal display.

Fertilization: Fertilizers are usually not necessary for wildflower plantings. However, if soil fertility is very low, a low nitrogen fertilizer can be used, or add organic matter such as compost. If you suspect a problem with soil fertility, we recommend a soil test and/or plant tissue analysis.

Fall Mowing and Cleanup: If a neat appearance is desired after the wildflowers have gone to seed, mow them to a height of four to six inches.

HOW OFTEN TO RESEED WILDFLOWERS

Many people prefer the vibrant, long lasting colors that are provided by annuals. In most parts of North America, there is just one way to create annual wildflower color year after year...

By reseeding each year!

Exceptions to reseeding annually are the Pacific Coast and the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, where annuals readily reseed on their own. Annuals can be reseeded in the spring or fall. Spring reseeding should be completed as soon as the ground is workable to take advantage of spring moisture. Remember that the planted area must be kept consistently moist for four to six weeks to ensure good germination. In cold climates, fall seeding should be quite late so germination does not occur until the following spring. In mild climates, planting annuals in the fall will ensure an early display in the spring. Important: follow our recommendations for appropriate planting rates because reseeding too heavily may cause crowding and poor growth.

If emphasizing perennials is your goal, inspect the planted area and roughly note the number and kinds of perennials growing there. Bare areas, if any, can be overseeded with the original planting mix or with a custom mix. Establishing a solid cover of perennials is one of the best ways to control weeds. When reseeding, some scarification of the soil surface may be necessary to ensure good seed-soil contact. A mixture of spring, summer, and fall-blooming perennial wildflowers will produce a changing display of color throughout the growing sea­son.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PLANTING WILDFLOWERS

Wildflowers can provide an excellent, low cost alternative in large-scale, high main­tenance situations, as well as a satisfying change from traditional urban landscaping. However, during their initial establishment period, wildflowers require as much maintenance as traditional plantings. A smooth, weed and vegetation-free planting bed is important for good seed-soil contact and prompt germination. Avoid seeding more than the recommended rate since overseeding can result in crowded conditions the first year and poor establishment of perennials. Cover seeds lightly to protect them from drying out during germination, and to prevent them from being eaten by birds. Consistent moisture is important for 4 - 6 weeks after planting. A wildflower planting requires the same weed control measures as traditional land­scaping.

Effective measures include site preparation prior to planting and a post- germination maintenance program. Most of our wildflower mixes contain annual, biennial and perennial species. The annuals, which may not be native to your area, are included to assure maximum color during the first season and to act as a nurse crop for the slower-growing perennials. Annuals germinate quickly when conditions are favorable, providing a quick ground cover and competition against weeds. Annuals may come back to a limited degree the second year but generally will not be as dense as first year plantings. Natural reseeding of annuals ranges from significant to minimal, depending on the species, cli­mate, soil texture and other factors.

Most perennial and biennial species begin to bloom the second season, but not as profusely as annuals. Therefore, wildflower plantings will look noticeably different after the first year. Perennials do not normally bloom the first year. Sometimes it is desirable or even necessary to sow seed in second and subsequent years. Reseeding may be necessary if establishment of wildflowers is spotty or poor. It is possible to reseed bare areas with the original mixture. Loosen soil of bare areas and provide adequate weed control and supplemental irrigation as needed. Where natural reseeding of annuals is minimal, sowing annuals each spring can produce a magnificent annual and perennial display throughout the growing season. If desired, wildflowers may be mowed in the fall following seed set. Mow to a height of 4-6 inches, and leave the residue on the ground because it is a reservoir of viable seeds.