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What wildflowers to plant

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Posted by mikyenrut z5 seWI (My Page) on
Thu, Apr 24, 08 at 14:02

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

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RE: What wildflowers to plant

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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

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RE: What wildflowers to plant

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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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RE: What wildflowers to plant

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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.

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RE: What wildflowers to plant

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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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