Fall is the Time to Establish Wildflowers

This is the peak of the Gulf Coast wildflower season. Anyone who took a ride during October couldn’t help but notice them along roadsides and in open areas. Much of this color will continue into November.

Consider establishing your own wildflower garden from seed. It is a relatively easy procedure if proper establishment and maintenance practices are followed. Though some failures have been reported, the causes can be traced to the use of the wrong species for our area; planting at the wrong time of year or the seeding technique used.

The following points should be considered by anyone who plans to plant wildflower seeds:

n Purchase seeds only of those species that are known to be adapted to the deep south. We could take some tips from the Florida Department of Transportation, which has been involved in a wildflower program since 1963. The goal of the program has been to establish wildflower plantings on state’s rights-of-way to improve aesthetics, lower maintenance costs and improve driver safety.

Obviously, the DOT has tried many species and learned which ones perform best over a wide range of conditions. The species that are used most in Florida are:

Blanket Flower – Gaillardia pulchella

Black-eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta

Lance-leafed tickseed – Coreopsis lanceolata

Tickseed – Coreopsis tinctoria

Phlox - Phlox drummondii

Sometimes the use of a mixture of wildflower seeds could be the best option. There are several different mixtures on the market. When purchasing, be certain to choose one that is prepared for use in the south or the southeast.

Such mixtures include such tried and true species as Indian blanket, lemon mint, purple coneflower, cosmos, Drummond phlox, coreopsis, black-eyed susan, Mexican hat and larkspur.

n Choose the planting site carefully. Because “wild” is part of their name, it is easy to assume that wildflowers will grow anywhere. This is far from true. They require a lot of light, so locate the planting where it will receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Plant only where there is good surface and internal soil drainage. Wildflowers do not perform well under extremely wet conditions or even in areas where brief flooding occurs.

n Plant seeds at the right time of year. November is the most ideal time for seeding wildflowers in our region.

n Use a good seeding technique. Broadcast the recommended amount of seeds over the area as uniformly as possible. Great care must be taken to ensure that they are not placed in the soil too deeply. The danger of excessively deep planting can be avoided by rolling, pressing or very lightly raking after seeding. This practice provides the necessary soil contact without burying the seed.

n Once wildflowers are properly seeded, apply patience. Periodic irrigation, especially during dry periods might help to enhance germination.

n Most wildflower seed suppliers provide specific instructions for establishment and maintenance. Pay close attention to these. If properly maintained, wildflower beds can last and provide color for many years.

Question of the Week: I have hibiscus plants that were grown in pots during the summer. I would like to plant them in the ground. When is the best time to do this?

Answer: They can be planted in the ground during the fall, but a severe freeze could kill them to the ground. Once planted, mound around the base to a height of about a foot. Use coarse materials such as pine needles or bark. This will help to insulate and protect the crowns. Remove the mounding material next spring as soon as the danger of frost has passed.