How to Start a Wildflower Garden

There’s a wildflower garden on the south side of my home where switchgrass and wildflowers grow freely. It’s a quiet space, tucked away from the rest of the garden, and every spring I add red clover and zinnias to the mix. By late summer, the flowers bloom in waves of color, and the wildlife bees, butterflies, birds arrive like clockwork. This garden isn’t just beautiful. It’s a source of food, shelter, and peace.

I love this wildflower garden, but I’ve been dreaming of adding a rock wall and a garden gate. Something that creates a sense of privacy, like a sanctuary for animals and people alike. A place to rest, reflect, and feel held by nature.

the is garden was grown by Susang6

How to Start a Wildflower Garden

Growing wildflowers isn’t difficult, but it does require intention. Start by choosing the right location most wildflowers need full to part sun and well-drained soil. Turn the soil with a shovel or tiller, and amend it if needed. I always mix in compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Before buying seeds, read the growing requirements. That way, you’ll know exactly which part of your yard suits your chosen flowers. I recommend buying wildflower seeds in bulk and selecting varieties that thrive in your growing zone.

My favorite wildflowers grown with bee balm 

 

Planting Tips for Success

• Spring is best. The seasonal rains help seedlings establish strong roots.
• Water wisely. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.
• Use straw. A thin layer helps retain moisture and protect young plants.
• Create a path. I use a grass trimmer to cut the area low, then lay down weed control fabric topped with mulch or gravel.

 

Susang6 wildflower garden

Details from My Wildflower Garden

• Coneflowers and daisies bloom in waves see the photo of my garden.
• Transplants are growing nicely, especially along the path.
• The garden path was created with a simple grass trimmer, and it works beautifully.

Damaged Irises Have NEW Growth: Flower Photographs

Today when I went to look at the irises that were damaged by the lawn mower I was happy to see that some have signs of new growth. 

These backyard irises were damaged when the husband cut his corner too close and ran them over with the lawn mower. Know that many of the rhizomes were damaged and did die, however, some were not as badly damaged and did respond to the immediate care that I gave them.

When the mowing occurred I went to irises aide by applying one inch of compost to the flower bed. Then set up a soaking hose to water them with a slow drip in the morning. The damage to the irises occurred during the hot summer when there were drought conditions.

 I also treated the garden bed with neem oil extract for spider mites. I used a concentrated formula that you mix with water and spayed the soil at dusk because it is not good to use neem oil in direct light.

A month after the occurrence I noticed that the irises garden is pest fee and suspect it is due to the neem oil insecticide. I also noticed that the irises have signs of improvement. The leaves that looked sickly are now showing signs of new growth, leaf bud on one of the rhizomes. 

 Granted a few flowers are still struggling to survive and 10 have turned brown and died due to the shock of the lawn mower.  I have not given up. 

 Know that my neighbor has tossed his irises that have had borers into the woods, thinking that they were hopeless and they have survived. We now have wild irises blooming in the woods in the spring, so anything is possible.

Here are some photographs of my irises, all photographs were taken of my personal residence flower gardens.

Pavestone Adds Definition to Flower Garden

Today I am working on my side flower garden and decided to make it more interesting so I added 12-inch pavestone and also a pea gravel boarder. 

My husband had some stones leftover from a retaining wall that he did and I thought that the stone would add definition to my lily garden.  (See photo above).  The curving stone wraps around the lilies until it meets with the pea gravel path.

I thought about doing two layers of stone but thought that the one layer was fine.  I like the way the stone breaks up the garden. This is an easy way to add definition and also make the flower garden more eye appealing

For this garden project, I used a 12-inch pavestone retaining wall cement block that we bought at Home Depot for $1.78.  This cement block also looks good as a tree ring and outdoor fireplace ring.

See in this photo how I added a ring of pavestone cement retaining wall blocks around a host garden.  I think that you will agree that it is a great way to accent your garden.

Pavestone cement wall block around hosta garden

View other photographs of pavestone cement retaining wall block projects here:

Flagstone patio and walkway with pavestone firepit

Retaining wall in ornamental grass garden

Growing Wildflowers – Which Flowers are Right for You

Growing wildflowers in a carefree area; field, meadow, or a large area in your yard will provide you with an eye-catching garden throughout the summer season.  Wildflowers are not difficult to grow provided you plant flowers that are native to your area.  

Which Wildflower is Right for You?

There are a variety of wildflowers available the best way to choose the type that is right for your area is to know your growing zone. 

Wildflowers are flowers that grow naturally in your area and thus they are tolerant of your environment. This means if your summers are dry then the natural wildflowers in your area are accustomed to these weather conditions and are drought tolerant. 

 

These flowers come in different heights; some are low growing and these can be planted in a border garden or in a raised garden bed.  Most wildflowers are tall, with stems up to three feet.  These tall beautiful flowers are eye appealing growing in masses in a large garden; prairie, cottage or a cutting garden.

There are perennial wildflowers that will return yearly and there are annual wildflowers that will grow for one season and then die back.  They will not return the following summer and you will need to replant.

Choose a wildflower seed that will accommodate your garden needs, buy seeds in packets for small gardens and seeds in bulk to cover large areas of ground. Also, choose the flowers that will grow in your sun exposure.  Some flowers are formulated to grow in shady conditions and others are meant to grow in sun. 

Planting

Test your soil before planting as wildflowers grow best in moderate humus dirt that is well-drained.   If your soil is poor, then amend it with organic compost, manure or topsoil. For clay based soil then amend this soil with sand and with organic compost.  

Follow the directions as to when to plant. Some flowers are planted in the fall and others in the spring.  Water wildflowers seeds every day.  Seedlings need plenty of water until the roots are established. Best time to water is in the morning.  

Notes:

Fertilize with water applications I like to use miracle grow bloom booster.  A light application of fertilizer when seedlings are about a foot tall is helpful.  Also, apply a thin layer of mulch to aid in retaining moisture and to deter weed growth. 

Water newly planted wildflower seeds and seedlings lightly and frequently during germination, then water as needed in the morning.  Generally, I water daily with a soaking hose so the water gets to the roots.

If you enjoy watching wildlife; butterflies, hummingbirds then grow a garden of wildflowers.