Plant Wildflowers for a Low-Maintenance Landscape
by Suzanne DeJohn
Slowly but surely, attitudes about lawns are changing and homeowners are considering alternatives to expansive lawns. Let's face it, lawns are a hassle to maintain, especially if you aspire to a picture-perfect green carpet. There's the weekly mowing, seasonal fertilizing and repeated weeding, not to mention the frequent watering, all of which require time — and money.
Imagine looking out your window, and instead of a swath of green grass (or brown grass if you forgot to water it, or watering restrictions were in effect) you can enjoy flowers in a rainbow of colors. Then imagine heading out to cut some of those blooms for bouquets — you can't do that with lawn grass! That's why across the country wildflower meadows are sprouting where lawns once ruled.
Wildflowers Save Time and Money
Let's say it takes you an hour a week to mow and trim your lawn. Over the course of the summer (May through September) you'll spend 20 hours mowing. That's 20 hours you could have spent in the hammock, fishing, riding your bike or whatever it is that's your favorite pastime. It's like getting an extra half-week of vacation time!


Now add in the cost of fertilizer and weed controls, plus gasoline, oil and power equipment maintenance, not to mention the initial costs of the equipment. If you're on a municipal water supply, a hefty portion of your summer water bill may go to watering your lawn, too. (In arid regions, up to 50% of a household's water usage goes to landscape irrigation.) A wildflower planting, on the other hand, needs no fertilizing, little or no supplemental water and just a once-a-year mowing.
Climate Considerations
You'll often see the same lawn grass mixes sold in big box stores across the country, even though climates vary widely. One of the nice things about wildflowers is that you can choose species that are adapted to your growing conditions. Flowers that thrive in the cool, moist Pacific Northwest may wither in the hot, dry Southwest. To make selecting plants easier, American Meadows has created Regional Mixes with flowers that will thrive in each region. Many parts of the country experience prolonged periods of dry weather in summer, and most lawn grasses won't survive weeks without water. Look at the native wildflowers in those regions and you'll find plants adapted to those conditions. The same holds true for fertilizer. Lawns are "heavy feeders" and in regions with poor soils they require regular applications of fertilizers. Many wildflower species, on the other hand, are used to poor soils — in fact, if you fertilize your meadow with lawn fertilizer you're likely to end up with lots of leaves and few flowers.


Let the Buyer Beware
One word of caution: If you've ever been tempted to buy a "meadow in a can" be sure to read the fine print. Most wildflower seed mixes contain only a small percentage of actual seed; with 90% or more made up of fillers. Our mixes are 100% flower seed, with no fillers or grasses.
You'll likely be seeing wildflower plantings popping up in yards in your neighborhood. Consider replacing a small section of your lawn and discover the benefits for yourself.
Grow an iconic meadow right in your own backyard! Our Limited Edition Colors Of Grand Teton Wildflower Seed Mix is inspired by the wildflower displays of Grand Teton National Park. ...
Learn MoreColors Of Grand Teton Wildflower Seed Mix Colors Of Grand Teton Wildflower Seed MixAs low as $19.95 Sale $14.96Per 1/4 PoundGrow an iconic meadow right in your own backyard! Our Limited Edition Colors Of Grand Teton Wildflower Seed Mix is inspired by the wildflower displays of Grand Teton National Park. Featuring a reliable and adaptable mix of 21 wildflowers, this mix will grow easily in most regions of the US. Soft spring pastels precede a vibrant display of bright summer blooms, and your meadow will boast warm golden hues from fall through frost. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to growPaint your garden or meadow with flowers in your favorite colors! Our Warm Color Seed Patches feature Red, Burgundy, Yellow, and Orange single color wildflower seed mixes – conveni...
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Learn MoreCool Color Wildflower Seed Patches Cool Color Wildflower Seed PatchesAs low as $9.95Per Pink Seed Patch - 2 ozPaint your garden or meadow with flowers in your favorite colors! Our Cool Color Seed Patches feature Blue, Purple, Pink, and White single color wildflower seed mixes – conveniently packaged in 2 oz bags. Seed Patches are a great for adding a burst of cool, calming color to small spaces, gardens or raised beds, or your established meadow. Pick a Seed Patch (single 2oz bag) in your favorite color, or save big with the Seed Patchwork (a collection of all four Cool Color Seed Patches). Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.Our Pollinator Wildflower Seed Patches feature some of our most popular wildflower mixes to nourish bees, birds, butterflies, and beneficial bugs – conveniently packaged in 2 oz ba...
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