Dans Papers - June 1, 2007 - Flowers Gone Wild

Many luxurious homes on the East End are situated on sprawling acres of land, offering the perfect landscape for a field of wildflowers, but this unique foliage can add beauty to smaller gardens and yards, too. The term wildflower used to mean that the seed was not intentionally planted, often found on roadsides, in grassy meadows, forests and along fences. But now planting wildflower seeds has become popular among gardeners because of the desirable benefits - they require little maintenance (and won't interfere with your busy summer schedule), attract butterflies and birds, provide a variety of color and return year after year. Also, wildflowers can easily grow in areas that are typically hard to mow and water such as sloping land and corners of buildings. Wildflowers may be low-maintenance but creating this type of garden is far from scattering some seeds. Wildflower seeds can be planted during spring, summer or fall. Whichever season you choose, the location must receive six to eight hours of sun each day. Excellent drainage is also important, as wildflowers don't grow well in wet soil. Before planting, remove any weeds or grass in the area using a string trimmer or mower. Don't fertilize the soil unless it's very sandy - wildflowers can fare in less than average soils. Then, till approximately one to two inches of soil. To determine the amount of seed needed for your garden or field, measure the size and approximately plant at a rate of one pound for every 2,000 square feet. Use a lawn roller to press the seeds into the soil, or, if you don't have one, place a piece of plywood over the soil and stomp a few times to press the seeds into the soil. After the seeds are in the soil, lightly water the entire area and make sure it remains slightly moist for about five weeks. Once the seeds begin to bloom, natural rainfall can take over, as wildflowers survive a long time without water.

There are many types of wildflower seeds available. Garden centers carry prepackaged cans that contain a wide variety of wildflower seeds that will be listed on the label. You can also buy seeds in bulk that are usually sold by the pound. If you want to create your own mix, buy individual packages, but be sure to research which wildflowers grow best in your area. Different wildflowers attract different butterflies and insects. For instance, to attract butterflies plant Yarrows, Black-eyed Susans, Cosmos, Cleomes or Zinnias. If you want to attract hummingbirds plant Garden Columbines or Nasturtiums. If you want to attract beneficial insects such as minute pirate bugs, syrphid flies or ladybugs, plant Bishop's Weeds, Yarrows or Globe Candytufts.

If you want to cover a small area with wildflowers or if you are planting on a slope, use a wildflower mat. The seeds are woven into a biodegradable blanket that is covered with soil and water, and will prevent the seeds from washing away. In some areas, wildflowers are used to prevent erosion.

The best wildflower gardens contain both annual and perennials, giving the area a colorful variety of blooms of different sizes. At first, the garden or field might look like a bunch of weeds, but don't pull them out! You could possibly damage the wildflower seedlings, so be patient. Once the wildflower garden is fully grown, they will naturally get rid of most of the existing weeds. It is recommended to reseed the area every other spring so that a dominant species doesn't take over the garden. If one type of wildflower appears to be blooming more than others, don't worry because others are waiting to take its place when it fades. It might take years for the wildflower garden to flourish, but the results are worth the wait.