Wildflower Seed Mixtures

What kind and how much seed should I use? Small property owners usually ask this question once they have decided to create a wildflower meadow or natural garden.

According to American Meadows of Williston, VT there are three appearances that may result from the proper use of wildflower seed mixtures:

• The Meadow Look - scattered flowers;
• The Average Display - good coverage; and
• The Lush Stand - almost solid flowers.

The choices of which type of seed to buy can be sorted out as:

• a regional mix tailored to your location - these mixtures usually contain 25 or more wildflowers, divided between annuals (that usually reseed) for first-year color and perennials or biennials for second and successive years' bloom.
• mixtures for special uses such as Wildlife Habitat Mix, All-Annual Wildflower Mix, Perennial Wildflower Mix, Shade Wildflower Mix, Dry Area Wildflower Mix, Low Grow Wildflower Mix, or Butterfly & Hummingbird Mix. Or,
• just one single variety or a personal mix of several individual types.

American Meadows also provides an excellent one-page tutorial on:

• determining amount of area - square footage - to be planted; and
• determining how much seed is needed for the look you want.

Calculating these numbers will speed you on your way to a good-looking meadow or natural garden.

A warning before buying your wildflower seed: the mix should be 100% pure, fresh flower seed with no fillers or grasses. It is wise to avoid mixes such as "meadows in a can" or "wildflower gardens in a pot" sold as gifts.

My recent articles Poppies and Landscape Design: Annual poppies bring effervescence to government and commercial wildflower plantings and Poppies in Residential Gardens: Annual poppies unify and enhance small meadows and natural gardens> are sure to provide you with fresh and innovative ideas for landscaping.

Romantic or Realist - Establishing a Wildflower Lawn or Meadow.

Also, The Clyde Robin Wildflower Seed Company maintains a forum for discussion about using wildflower seed and wildflower seed mixtures in landscaping.

©

Georgene A. Bramlage, July 17, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.