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| Wildflower garden in Montana dominated by composite flowers Photo credit: Occidental Botanist Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 |
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| A wildflower meadow on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Photo credit: Jim Crotty Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 |
A wildflower is a non-cultivated flower growing naturally in the landscape. Wildflower gardens may consist of native or non-native plants that have naturalized on a site. They are often combined with grasses to provide a more natural and attractive look and feel.
Benefits of wildflowers
- Attract beneficial insects such as butterflies and bees
- Reduce water use in the landscape
- Adapted to harsher soil conditions than many other landscape plants
- Bloom throughout growing season
- They can be annual, biennial, or perennial
- Make good cut flowers
Tips for creating the wildflower garden
- Choose seed mixtures developed for the local climate and soil conditions
- Control weeds before planting
- Avoid invasive species
See the following websites for more detailed information on planting and selection of wildflowers for the water-wise landscape:
Additional Resources:
West
Colorado - Xeriscaping: Perennials and Annual Flowers
Midwest
Minnesota - Common Questions about Wildflowers and Native Plants
Southeast
Kentucky - Wild about Wildflowers
Mississippi - Wildflowers for Mississippi Meadows and Gardens
