If you get started now, you can enjoy the beauty of wildflowers in your landscape next spring and summer. Wildflowers provide a natural look to your landscape and are generally low maintenance. They can attract wildlife and birds to your landscape for your enjoyment. Some species make good cut or dried flowers. Many of the wildflower mixes found in Georgia can be annuals, biennials or perennials that can be quite showy if planted in large masses.
In Georgia, wildflowers are usually sown in late fall and winter when soil temperatures decline. Before selecting an area to be planted, make sure that you have chosen a mix that is adapted to zone 8. Some wildflowers may not be tolerant to the heat and humidity of this zone. Select the area to be planted, and have your soil tested. The area should have a mixture of sun and shade at all parts of the day due to the light requirements of certain wildflower species. The soil pH is a very important factor because many wildflowers have very specific soil needs. The addition of lime should be added to the soil if the pH is 5.0 or below. It takes lime three months before it is able to help raise the soil pH.
The area should then be mowed closeclosed and sprayed with a contact herbicide to kill existing vegetation. Two weeks later, the area should be lightly cultivated.
At this time, fertilizer should not be applied to the planting site. This will only promote the growth of weeds.
Next, select the wildflower species or mixes that are adapted to the area. A few mixes include Cornflower, Plains Coreopsis, Purple Coneflower, Blackeye Susan and Scarlet Sage. Seeding rate will vary depending on the size of the area. For large areas, sow 10 pounds of seeds per acre. If you desire a smaller patch of wildflowers, sow 4 to 6 ounces per 1000 sq. ft. If you are looking to do something on a smaller scale, for more intense color, double the seeding rate. Mix with damp sand and spread. Rake the area lightly to cover the seed.
Finally, lightly mulch the area with straw, pine needles or bark to conserve moisture that is essential for germination. By next spring, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of wildflowers in your landscape.
Follow up care requires weeding by hand or chemicals for those isolated weeds. Mow the wildflowers at least once a year in the fall or early spring to a height of 4 to six inches. high. The annuals and biennials will reseed themselves while the perennials will provide you with blooms year after year.
For more information on planting wildflowers or specific mixes, please contact your County Extension office or contact me at morganjl@uga.edu.
Information for this article was obtained from UGA Bulletin 994: Wildflowers