When springtime arrives, many native wildflowers begin to bloom. With the help of a native tree nursery and RPM-produced perennials, you can enjoy lush, blooming native wildflowers in their first season in your own yard. Here is some advice on preparing your landscape and choosing native wildflowers:

Preparing for Native Wildflowers

The term wildflower doesn’t refer solely to the flowers that grow in the wild. Wildflowers are flowers that have not been changed by human intervention and still grow natively in the area where they were originally cultivated. Wildflowers, like any other flower, need certain conditions to grow and thrive. Sun, shade, soil type, moisture, and mulch should be reviewed when preparing your landscape for native wildflowers.

Start by looking at the amount of shade available in your planned garden area. Most woodland wildflowers need light shade while most field and meadow wildflowers need full sun for at least six hours each day. Check the type of soil in the area. Woodland wildflowers need organic matter in their soil similar to their native habitat, which includes leaves and other plant debris. The soil should also have good drainage but some woodland wildflowers need wetter conditions like those that grow near streams or creaks. Meadow and field wildflowers can grow in soil with less organic matter. They can also grow well in dry conditions but some need more moisture than others. Woodland wildflowers need organic mulch like leave compost while meadow and field wildflowers don’t necessarily need mulch. They are instead protected by other nearby flowers.

Some native tree and plant nurseries offer proprietary soil that contributes to plant health. The nutrients don’t come from fertilizer but from encouraging your plants’ natural ability to access nutrients. Healthy soil makes nutrients available as needed by plants. Over time, it continues to help plants thrive after planting and through the life of the plant. Native landscapes are a natural, resilient choice for commercial or residential landscapes. When properly designed, a native landscape can meet community ordinances and provide various benefits such as stormwater purification, soil building, and wildlife preservation.

Choosing the Right Native Wildflowers

When choosing the wildflowers for your native landscape, think about your site and what you want from the plants. Natives provide unique alternatives to invasive non-native species and can be selected based on characteristics like mature size, preferred site, and seasonal color. Visit a native tree nursery that specializes in native plants. They will have a wide range of different native species, including perennials, grasses, trees, and shrubs. They may also produce native cultivars and hybrids that offer exceptional features. Hybrids exhibit desirable traits of two or more species, such as faster growth.

Some options for woodland wildflowers include:

Columbine

The perennial columbine flower has red and yellow flowers and green foliage. It needs partial shade and moist soil with high organic content. Columbines bloom in April and May, growing to a height of 24 to 36 inches. This native is drought-tolerant, attracts hummingbirds, and resists deer and rabbits. It is difficult to transplant but self-sows easily.

Great Blue Lobelia

This native perennial blooms beautiful blue, tubular flowers in August and September. It thrives best in partial shade, wet soil, and rich organic matter. They are deer-resistant and grow well in rain gardens as well as woodlands and meadows.

Some options for meadow and field wildflowers are:

Black-eyed Susans

For a burst of yellow blooms, plant black-eyed Susans in your meadow-inspired landscape. Their golden-yellow flowers bloom from June to October, providing color and attracting butterflies from early summer to mid-fall. These natives prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They also self-sow easily and don’t need much fertilizer.

Blue Wild Indigo

Blue wild indigos boast deep blue spring flowers that sprout from spikey green foliage. They stretch high as they bloom in May and June to heights between 24 and 48 inches. They thrive best in partial shade, well-drained soil, and an average amount of organic matter. You can also find this native perennial in yellow and white variations.

Visiting a Native Tree Nursery

Though it’s hard to improve on a native wildflower, RPM production technology gives native wildflowers and grasses a boost to grow and flower faster. The all-natural RPM production method improves yield amount in less time. This benefit occurs partially because of increased lateral root mass, which, in turn, improves transplant success and helps plants grow faster and healthier. If you need help understanding how to best care for your native perennials, visit your local native tree nursery for expert assistance.