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Wildflowers bring a natural beauty to any landscape. Understanding a few basic concepts will help make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.
Wildflowers can be purchased as seed in a prepared mix, as individual variety seed, or as plants purchased at a nursery. The choice depends upon site location, availability of seed or plants, and budget.
The first thing to know about wildflowers is what not to do. They are not meant to fill spaces where nothing else will grow because the wildflowers probably won’t grow there either. Proper site selection and preparation are essential. If you are going to invest the time, labor and money you should give the plants all possible advantages.
Commercial seed mixes are formulated for specific sites such as hot, dry southern exposures, cooler shaded north and east exposures or moist meadow areas. A variety of flowers--annuals, perennials, biennials, and tender perennials - - provide for different height, color and blooming time. The mix also may contain some grass species that will add texture and color and provide support and protection to the flowers, reduce soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat.
Site preparation should include weed control if weeds predominate, or if the soil has been disturbed through tilling or construction up to a year prior to planting. Water the area to stimulate weed germination and growth, then pull the weeds or use an appropriate herbicide. Repeat this a number of times depending on the degree and type of weed infestation. If you use herbicides be sure to read and follow label directions carefully. If the soil is compacted or a heavy clay amend it by incorporating well-composted organic matter.
If you want to grow wildflowers amongst other plantings, cultivate the soil lightly or break it apart with a rake. Sow the seeds carefully making sure the seeds come in contact with the tilled soil.
When choosing seed mixes do not use packets that contain invasive species such as white yarrow (Achillea millefolium), chicory (Cichorium intybus), dames’ rocket (Hesperis matronalis), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) or forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) and keep in mind that some species of wildflower (e.g. lupines and larkspurs) are toxic to grazing animals. After the wildflowers are established observe which ones escape from your landscape, remove them from the natural areas and replace your garden plants with less aggressive species.
Wildflowers are not necessarily native plants but rather a style of planting, more informal and random in appearance. A planting of wildflowers becomes a complex interactive plant community, not just a collection of individual plants. It will change throughout the growing season as flowering times vary, and from one year to the next as some species will thrive and dominate the less aggressive ones.
Many plants in wildflower seed mixes are not native to Colorado. Some native plants are showy daisy/fleabane (Erigeron speciosus), Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus), pasque flower (Anemone patens), wallflower (Erysimum species), prairie gentian (Eustoma grandiflorum), spotted (dwarf) gayfeather (Liatris punctata) and golden banner/ false lupine (Thermopsis montana). These may or may not be in seed mixes, but can be purchased individually as seed or plants.
Autumn is a good time to sow wildflower seed although you may need to water in the spring to germinate the seeds if winter moisture is low. The same applies for spring or summer seeding if the rains are insufficient. Wildflower sod, though more expensive, is available and may work better for use on steep slopes or where quick establishment is desired.
For further information on starting a wildflower landscape, refer to Fact Sheet #7.233 - Wildflowers in Colorado.
Q: I have seen some beetles in my house this summer. What are they and what should I do?
A: If the insects are moderate-sized, dark brown and have a snout-like structure they could be the strawberry root weevil. They seek shelter in homes during hot weather and are apparently attracted to the shade and humidity. The best thing to do is make sure cracks and other openings are sealed, and limit moisture sources around the foundation. Most problems subside after midsummer.
Q: What are some shrubs that can provide nice summer color?
A: Some beautiful summer flowering shrubs include: a wide range of potentilla varieties, butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.), and rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Tatarian maple (Acer tataricum) also has beautiful red fruit that adds a lot of color in July.
Q: What can I do with my landscaping to improve the security around my home?
A: Consider planting thorny and sticky shrubs below windows, around
basement window wells and other areas of easy access to your home.
These could include shrubs such as a wide variety of roses or the Japanese
purple leaf barberry.
If your iris, daylilies or peonies produced fewer flowers or threatened their neighbors this year, late summer or early fall is the time to divide them to improve them for next year. Be sure to replant them at the correct level for good flowering.
Pick produce as soon as it is ripe or ready for use. Overripe produce attracts insects and other pests.
Plan now for fall crops such as spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard and others that can be successfully grown and harvested before the first freeze.
This fall, pot up some of your best flowering annuals and bring inside for the winter. Impatiens, geranium, marigolds and calendulas work well. Inspect them to make sure there are no insects, place them in a sunny window and keep them watered. They will cheer you up during winter and you will have the first blooming annuals in your neighborhood next spring.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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