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What wildflowers to plant

15 years ago

I'd like to plant wildflowers on a hill, which is the side of our driveway. This faces west, getting great sunshine. I'm thinking of just planting perennial seeds, or annuals that would reseed themselves.

Where is a good place to buy seed, as I'll be needing quite a bit.

Amount of seed needed per sq/ft?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kim

Comments (4)

amelanchier
15 years ago
If you're in SE Wisconsin, you should definitely stop by prairiebob.com and give him a call. He'll have local genotype.

Here is a link that might be useful: Prairie Seed Source
ladyslppr
15 years ago
One important thing to know about the site is what is the soil like, and how dry does it get. If the site is a dry one, I'd expect you have trouble growing grass there, or whatever has planted itself there is growing poorly, or with bare ground in between the plants. A moister soil would support fairly dense grass and weeds, if the slope has been there a few years.

There are tons of good choices for either a wet or dry site, but some of the plants would be different.
For your first year, I'd definitely include some annuals (which of course bloom the first year) or perennials that bloom the first year. Clasping coneflower is great for most sites, but doesn't like really dry conditions. Black eyed Susans can also bloom the first year, if planted early. Monarda punctata is a nice first-year bloomer. There are other good choices as well, but don't overlook the first year. Many perennials don't bloom until the second year.
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Whoa Josh!!! Gee, thanks for all the neat "links" you posted for me!! I was in reading last night for quite a length of time, & there is much info on alot of this stuff! Now, I'm not sure if Missouri's type of foliage & flowers are similar to ours here in Idaho, as I think they might "differ" a bit... mostly due to our Desert climate right in our area. The MOBOT Herbarium Instruction page was a "mind-blower," as it was some really in-depth reading, and I could go for hours on that one! Wow! I was really glad to hear you know what "Prickly-Pear" Cactus' are, because they grow wild here, by the "scads," and alot of folks use them in their rock gardens & such. When roaming or hiking in the mountains or Desert areas around here, you really have to watch where you're stepping, because of the large groups of them that grow everywhere! I've even seen them growing right out of the tops of lava rocks around here... with no soil!!! Too bad I can't figure out a way to get the beautiful blossoms off of them to "press & dry!" (... that would be a real fiasco` though, because of how sharp they are!) You had mentioned the "Yucca" Plant. That is one I am not very familiar with. I did try to grow some "Yucca" at one time out here, but as usual, I had no luck. It is just too dry on our Ranch here. I will have to ask around & see if folks grow any Yucca around here. I have not navigated around on the Site much here yet, since I have been a Member, so haven't went into the "Native forum" yet... but will do that. Thanks. You are right when you stated that right now, we should have a vast array of tiny flowers & things growing out in the Desert here on our Ranch. Always in the Spring time here in our area, everything of Nature is just loaded with many unusual Spring flowers & foliage. I am hoping to get out and pick some wild "Indian Paint Brush" to press & dry, that's for sure! This was something I wanted to do over the Easter week-end, but our weather was really stormy with alot of high gusts of Wind,... so I couldn't get out to do that. I am like you Josh... not only do I like to attempt to press & dry "flowers," but I also like the foliage... alot of it, & am always so interested in dried "leaves" and such. "Moss" fascinates me too!! I was reading on some of the previous "links" you gave to me on various plants, & it was telling how to "skeletonize" leaves & such... That was quite interesting to me! (maybe something I'll have to try sometime, but realize it's also difficult to do.) As far as me "trading" any plants from your area, I would be willing just to send you some of my Western "sage" foliage from out here... because that's all it is, is "leaves," but I would have to "press & dry" some first. Let me know what you think? Thank you for responding & Posting Josh.. it's always good to hear from you, & I will be in reading more of the info in the "links" you sent to me as well. Take care, & I will anticipate hearing from you again~ Warmest regards, ~ IndianPaintBrush ~
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bob64
15 years ago
It's probably best to have a mix of annuals and perrenials. Advice from a good native seed company, especially one that serves your area, would be useful. The seller and/or the seller's catalog often have good instructions about rate of seeding per species or per standard mixes they sell. There is usually some weeding or other preparation called for before you sow your seed.
greenhaven
15 years ago
Check out the folks at Taylor Creek Restoration Nursery in Brodhead. It would efinitely be worth the drive...those folks are fantatstic, and stock a LOT of plants! They will be opening the nursery around May15th, and I can't wait. It's only a little over an hour, for me! Yippee!

Here is a link that might be useful: Aplied Ecological and Taylor Creek Restoration Nursery

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