How to Use Native Wildflowers in the Landscape

Some Ideas

Plant in clusters of different timing blooms

Plant in clusters of the same plant

Use nature as a model for creating a spot in the garden

Create similar areas with nature eg. sun, shade, rock, slopes

Plant in layers: trees, shrubs, small shrubs, wildflowers, groundcovers

For whole native areas work on small areas of your yard at a time.

For wildlife, use groupings of native plants in the landscape. 

Designate areas in the landscape for berry and seed producing plants.

Considerations

Best time to plant is in the late fall or in the spring

Must keep weeds down.

Need a layer of mulch to keep in soil moisture, especially the first year.  This also will help keep the weeds out.

When care is taken, plants can be larger than in the wild since there is less competition and the conditions are not as harsh.

Water when needed the first year to help plants get established.

Be careful since most plants go dormant in mid to late summer and do not want water at that time; too much water can cause root rot.

As plants get bigger, less maintenance is needed.

You can trim and cut back the plant if it is getting to big or cut off old blooms to prevent reseeding.

Choose the right plant for the right place.

Use container grown plants or bare-root seedlings

Research the plants you want to put into your garden.