Garden Crypt

By Nikki Phipps

Growing wildflowers can offer your landscape natural beauty throughout the seasons. Nearly any spot is ideal for growing wildflowers and can take the form of a woodland, meadow, or prairie garden. In fact, if your space is limited, you can even grow them in containers. The only factor to consider when growing wildflowers by this method is drainage.

Wildflowers are extremely adaptable and will generally grow in almost any landscape; however, if you are unfamiliar with growing wildflowers, it is a good idea to study your surroundings beforehand to get a sense of what types of native plants thrive in your location.

Many wildflower gardens are found in wooded areas that are slightly shady. Create a woodland wildflower garden by planting smaller trees and shrubs with your wildflowers. Feel free to add in some perennials, like hostas or ferns. If your space is limited, consider planting wildflowers such as mountain anemone, bleeding heart, wild ginger, or hepatica underneath a large shade tree in your yard.

If trees aren’t your thing, consider planting your wildflowers in meadows or prairies, which contain both grasses and wildflowers. Wildflowers within this type of setting generally require plenty of sunlight. Commonly found wildflowers here might include Black-eyed Susans, butterfly weed, lilies, asters, coneflowers, liatris, blanket flowers, and joe-pye weed. These types of wildflower gardens are great for blending vivid flower colors with green and gold shades of grass.

When designing your wildflower garden, consider using plants that bloom at various intervals. This will create a longer flowering season. Mix a number of different heights, shapes, and textures to give your wildflower garden depth. Don’t forget about the wild critters. Include birds, butterflies, and other friendly creatures in the garden too by adding wildlife habitats, birdhouses, and a small pond or other water feature.

Wildflowers offer endless displays of color and they are easy to maintain. In addition, a wildflower garden can provide a comforting place to relax. Live a little and take a walk on the wild side!