Wildflower Meadow Gardening

Selecting the Appropriate Meadow Species

A successful wildflower meadow is a complex, interactive plant community, not just a collection of individuals. Choose a mixture of native species that, over a period of time, will naturally sort themselves out; the species best adapted to the site will be the ones that thrive after the first few years. Inventory the site and its microhabitats, such as wet, low-lying areas, shady areas, or open fields, and determine the species best suited to and most likely to succeed in each area.

You’ll want to plant perennials, annuals, and biennials in your meadow, as well as a variety of native species that will provide color throughout the growing season. When in doubt, check to make sure the plants you’re choosing aren’t on your state’s noxious weed list.

The Wildflower Center does not recommend planting prepackaged wildflower seed mixes. It is difficult to determine a mix’s composition, both for the individual species and their relative percentage. Mixes often contain a high percentage of species that are outside their natural ranges. You’re better off buying individual native wildflower seeds or making your own mix. Container-grown plants work well in meadow plantings but can be expensive for large areas. Many wildflower species may only be available in seed form. Seeds are generally the easiest way to go.

Soil Preparation

If you select plants appropriate to the microhabitats on your site, they should grow well, without soil improvements, once they’re established. Although tilling the soil may encourage weeds, it can also provide habitat for early successional species, like the Bluebonnet and Snow-on-the-Mountain, that readily colonize disturbed soil. To learn more about preparing your soil, see Soil Preparation in Gardening and
Landscaping with Native Plants. You can plant your wildflower and native grass seeds as soon as you are sure competing vegetation is under control.

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