Wildflowers

Welcoming wildflowers back into our cities is one way of restoring health to outdoor spaces. “Wildflowers” can include plants native to our area, as well as relative newcomers which grow well here with minimal care. When selecting wild plants for your garden, avoid any which are potentially damaging to natural areas. (SeeInvasive Plants) Many wild plants are not only beautiful, they are important threads in the fabric of life in our region. Some of our most beautiful birds and butterflies, for example, depend on wild plants for their survival.

Wildflower Gardens

Wild flowering plants can be integrated into a new or existing flowerbed, or planted into a larger meadow area. For small area planting using purchased plants, you first need to prepare the area for planting to minimize competition from other seeds that may be in the ground, so spade and turn the area several times over, perhaps over a week or two. Use a garden fork in the area as well if you have one. Insert the plants into a hole that has had some standing water put in (Letting plant water stand for a few hours before using lets the chlorine escape as a gas and isn’t ice cold - rain barrel water is ideal.). They will need watering during dry spells during their first season. Keep an eye on them to remove any weeds or competing plants from their needed growing space.

For intensive wildflower planting, or for starting from seed, the process is a bit more complex, but the results are rewarding!

Adequate site preparation is essential. To reduce competition from other plants, existing vegetation can be removed in several ways. The planting area can be cultivated by rototilling or removing sod and spading. This may require repeated cultivation over several months to destroy newly sprouting seeds in the soil. A less labour-intensive method, but one that requires a longer period of time, is to mulch the growing area for several months during the growing season. Mulching is covering the soil to block out all sunlight. A large sheet of black plastic or a thick layer of leaves or straw underlain with several sheets of newspaper or cardboard will do the trick. The mulch must be in place for an entire growing season (May to October) to thoroughly clear the area of established plants. Once the area is prepared, you can plant seeds or plants of the species you have selected for your garden. Plants, while more expensive, can give you a head start over competing weed seeds still present in the soil. As with any garden, wildflowers will need some weeding and watering, especially in the first year as the plants are becoming established.

Wildflower Sources

Many garden centres and markets are now carrying wildflowers. Make sure to buy plants that have been propagated in a nursery and not dug from the wild. Wildflowers can also be found at the annual plant sales at the Guelph Arboretum (519-824-4120, ext.52113) and the Royal Botanical Gardens (905-527-1158 or Toll free: 1-800-694-4769).

Try collecting your own seed from local natural areas. Seed is usually ripe 6–8 weeks after the flower has bloomed. Remember that care and respect are important when working in natural areas. Be sure to get the permission of the property owner and never take more than 10% of the seed you find; leave the rest to grow or provide food for wildlife. Don't ever dig up sensitive natural areas for plant material!

Choosing the Right Plants

It is important to survey your yard conditions before choosing suitable wildflowers. Some plants need shade or sun, moist or dry conditions. Knowing what your plants need and what your land can provide is the first step towards successful wildflower gardening. The following plants are excellent choices for the Stratford area. They are showy, hardy, and suitable for our climate. Find the list that best matches your site conditions.

SUN

Some of the most colourful wildflowers need at least six hours of sun daily to thrive.

SHADE

Many of our woodland wildflowers bloom in early spring, before the leaves unfold on deciduous trees. They need soil enriched with plenty of humus and/or compost.

WETLAND

These plants tolerate spring flooding and soggy conditions. They will also tolerate drier conditions later in the summer. (Joe-Pye Weed, Swamp Milkweed, and Helen’s Flower will also manage in normal garden conditions.)

 See Gardening for Wildlife and Native Plants

Wildflower Books are available at the Stratford Public Library
19 St. Andrew Street   (519-271-0220)

Reprinted & adapted with permission of Peterborough Green Up Association, and with thanks to local gardeners and Stratford Community Services Department (Parks).