What is it about a mass of multi-colored, multi-shaped and sized
flowers swaying in the breeze that captures our attention and causes
us to pause in wonder and awe? Frankly, I think it is the sense of
freedom and joy of spirit, the sense of unrestraint and non-
conformity that touches the “wild” that resides deep in our own
spirits, even though we may not know it is there. My small patch of
sunny prairie wildflowers calls forth the “wild” in me, the
unrestrained part of the child wanting to skip and laugh and twirl in
the sunshine.
Our wildflower garden came about when a sunny spot was in transition
from one type of planting to the need to put something else there,
but what? Not wanting to make more work for myself, I looked for
something relatively carefree and easy. Wildflowers came to mind.
Today’s wildflower seed mixtures and the fascination with wildflower
gardening is directly descended from the early 19th Century English
gardening innovators who recognized the flowers of the wild as
perhaps the most wonderful and beautiful flowers of them all.
There are over 20,000 species of flowering plants in North America,
belonging to about 300 different families that grow in the wild or on
their own, without cultivation, and are called wildflowers.
Wildflowers indigenous to the continent are called “natives.”
Others have been introduced from some other part of the world and are
referred to as “naturalized.”
Even a wild look requires some planning and effort. The weeds that
had taken over needed to be eradicated. Some could be dug out but
others needed the judicious use of a chemical. Deep tilling was not
recommended as this would only bring more weed seeds to the top and
just cause a continuation of the weed problem.
For the first year of seeding wildflowers we resorted to using a
blend of seeds which came in a can at a local store. The results were
fine but not as spectacular as I had envisioned. Since then I have
ordered wildflower seeds mixed specifically for our region of the
Midwest, also adding packets of other seeds to the mix. This seeding
met my expectations.
The seeds should be mixed with either masonry sand or perlite to
broadcast over the shallowly tilled and raked site. One-half of the
seed mixture should be broadcast in one direction and then the rest
broadcast in the opposite direction. After tamping the seed down with
the flat side of the rake, a thorough but gentle watering will
complete the job. Like any other seed, they should not be allowed to
dry out. Regular watering is necessary until the seedlings are about
two inches high. After that, the watering can gradually be cut back.
There is a romantic legend of Black-eyed Susan’s search for Sweet
William, two much-loved wildflowers, told in an old English poem by
John Gay: “All in the downs the fleet was moored, banners waving in
the wind. When Black-eyed Susan came aboard, and eyed the burly men.
‘Tell me ye sailors, tell me true, if my Sweet William sails with
you.’” Gardeners always note that these two species are both
biennials, bloom at exactly the same time, and look lovely together.
If you have decided that you want a touch of the “wild” in your
landscape, prepare a sunny area as suggested, broadcast the seeds,
water faithfully and stand back. Who knows, you may even find
yourself skipping, smiling and twirling your way around your yard. If
we happen to see you, we won’t tell!
