The term “wildflower” has a wide interpretation of meanings. When we speak of wildflowers, we usually mean those plants having noteworthy bloom which is native to certain localities. But many of these have been so long acclimated to garden cultivation that we no longer regard them as wildflowers but as cultivated plants. Then, too, there are those escapes from gardens that have run wild and are so classed.
But generally speaking we do mean the native flowers in certain localities which have long had their home in the wild state. The question usually is; how to get them to grow for us in our gardens at home. We see them growing in our National Parks, or along the seashore – near a lake or marsh, perhaps in the desert or on the plains.
We admire them and wish to keep them always near us and not just as a memory which may fade away but as a constant reminder.
Will they do well for us where we live? If this is to come to pass, many things must be taken into consideration. Temperature, elevation, moisture both in the soil, the amount of sunlight and many other factors will have to be considered. If we do not have the essential factors which are necessary to success, either we must imitate them or use those few which like our conditions. There are few of us who can or do have room to grow all we like to of both the dry plants of the desert and plains and the marshy ones of the rivers, lakes and the ocean shore. True, we may have landscaping rocks in the rock garden and the pool if we wish; we can only grow a few of the natives if we also must give room to our cultivated flowers.
There are various ways of starting a wildflower planting.
We may start them from seed if we wish. To do this we may collect our own seed if possible, or we can order them from a reliable collector. The same holds true with the plants themselves. Just now we will consider seed growing. We have perhaps seen some wildflower growing in its natural ‘habitat, and we want it for our own garden. First, is our garden adaptable to it ? Next, where can we get the seed ? These questions we must answer as best we can.
I have grown several wildflowers which I have liked in my garden at different times.
I have found that the plants of the prairies and plains are , the most suited to its conditions. I like plants that are good at taking care of themselves under adverse conditions, such as hot, dry summers such as this one has been, and those which require little care during our long cold winters.
The Penstemons have answered these requirements very well, and even if they prove to be biennials, as some claim them to be, they very definitely answer a longing which I have always had for a good wildflower which needed little coddling. The Butterfly Milkweed has also filled a long-felt want. An upstanding white Primrose and a Pearly Everlasting both grown from seed from New England contributions seemed to like our soil enough to stay with us a while. There were many wildflowers growing in the dry upland meadows of Yellowstone Park which I saw this summer that I am sure would do well here and it will be a pleasure to try them out at some future date.
Keith Markensen has only scratched the surface on the topic of – landscaping rocks. More details are only a click away at it’s visited by 1,000’s each day because of quality content in the world of outdoor landscape, flowers, houseplants and lawns.
