Wildflowers are not only beautiful but also beneficial for the environment. They provide essential habitats and food sources for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Additionally, they can enhance the biodiversity of your garden and require less maintenance than traditional lawns. 

You can also add wildflower plants to your fall garden that will then bloom in the spring. These are going to be perennial or short-lived perennials. Plants are usually sold in 4-6” containers. 

As with seeded flowers, choose a site that is sunny and well-drained and free of weeds. When planting provide adequate spacing between plants based on their size at maturity. For example, Blanket flower, requires 12-18” spacing to accommodate their 1-1.5’ size at maturity. 

Consider planting wildflowers in clusters of three to five plants per species to make them more attractive to pollinators and maintain a good design aesthetic.

Watering

After the initial establishment period, wildflowers typically need little supplemental watering. Water only during prolonged dry spells. 

Weeding

Regularly remove invasive weeds that compete with your wildflowers for nutrients and space. 

Do not fertilize

Many wildflowers are adapted to poor nutrient soils. Adding fertilizers will promote leafy growth over flowering, can make them more susceptible to pests, and can encourage weeds.

Reseed

Many wildflowers will reseed themselves so wait to cut back, deadhead, or mow until after seeds have matured. Seeds need good contact with soil, so if you are mulching only use a light layer of pine straw.