A Wild Garden of Your Own
What to know before you grow:
Sowing by the Season
Wildflower planting dates depend on site location and geographic weather patterns. Most wildflowers can be planted in the fall or early spring.
In the Southern regions of the United States, your wildflowers can be sown in early spring or late fall. Seeds planted in late fall will remain dormant during harsh winter months and will germinate when spring begins.
In the South, the months of September through December are most favorable to plant your wildflowers. Many species will quickly germinate to allow the seeds enough time to establish a healthy root system before becoming dormant in the winter. Some seeds may not germinate if the ground temperature is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These seeds will remain dormant in the soil until early spring and will begin to emerge under more favorable conditions.
Annuals, Perennials, Biennials
Annuals: Plants that perform their entire life cycle from seed to flower to seed within a single growing season. All roots, stems and leaves of the plant die annually. Only the dormant seed bridges the gap between one generation and the next. Many annuals will reseed themselves and produce a new plant.
Perennials: Plants that persist for many growing seasons. The plant may go dormant each winter and regrow the following spring from the same root system.
Biennial: Plants which require two years to complete their life cycle. First season growth results in a small rosette of leaves near the soil surface. During the second season’s growth stem elongation, flowering and seed formation occur followed by the entire plant dying.
Annual/Perennial: A plant can act as an annual or a perennial depending on local climatic and geographic growing conditions. In the south, these flowers tend to grow much quicker than in the north due to the warmer weather and extended growing season.
Before planting, assess the current weed population within the area. If your site contains an overabundance of weeds, it is recommended that you choose an alternate site. For best results choose an area that is elevated with adequate drainage. To remove weeds treat the entire area with a nonselective herbicide or remove the weeds by hand.