Meadowscaping To The Rescue!
6 Ways To Problem Solve With Wildflowers

Meadowscaping can transform the most challenging parts of your yard into beautiful displays of blooms. These resilient plants are highly adaptable and thrive in a broad range of growing conditions. Whether you're planting a small space or planting across acres of land, wildflowers are an easy-to-grow solution. 

See some of the creative ways that wildflowers can solve challenges in your yard! 

• #1: Planting Wildflowers To Restore & Protect Wildlife Habitat
• #2: Planting Wildflowers For Erosion Control & Wildfire Restoration
• #3: Planting Wildflowers For Dry Areas & Water Restrictions
• #4: Planting Wildflowers In Small Spaces
• #5: Planting Wildflowers To Create Privacy & Define Your Space
• #6: Planting Wildflowers To Save Time & Resources

Unfortunately, bird, pollinator, and wildlife populations are suffering due to habitat loss and a changing climate. The good news is that you can create a wildlife sanctuary, pollinator pitstop, or migratory waystation in your backyard! Planting wildflowers will help to create a safe haven and year-round buffet for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

They'll sip nectar and collect pollen from flowers, nest or hibernate in the stems, and take shelter among the flower stalks. When you leave seed heads standing when flowers have passed, you create yet another food source for seed-eating birds. (Birds also love to eat the bugs that may call your meadow home.) Growing wildflowers makes it easy to fill your yard in with an abundance of flowers for an ecosystem brimming with life. Enjoy watching the show and get to know these amazing flying friends!

If your yard features a hill or slope that is difficult to reach, if you're experiencing erosion, or if you are looking for solutions for flood or fire restoration, an easy-to-grow wildflower mix can help. 

Many wildflowers - in particular annual wildflowers - are quick to establish, even in poor soil conditions. They can quickly fill in empty spaces with attractive flowers and foliage while stabilizing soil and helping to restore soil health. Over time, deep-rooted perennial wildflowers will create a fibrous, interconnecting web of roots that will help to stabilize the landscape against harsh weather that may cause further erosion, all while presenting a glorious show of colors. As the meadow grows, root systems help keep the soil intact and can even improve soil health by adding organic matter. 

"We had a pesky back hill that had erosion and was hard to mow. A friend suggested a wildflower meadow as a simple-to-maintain and beautiful option. We are in year one, and already it is splendid! We followed the directions carefully and have seen a great result."  – Don W.

Increasingly hot summers and inconsistent rainfall can make it challenging for plants to thrive in your yard. That’s why it’s important to find the right plants for the right place!

Choosing drought-resistant wildflowers is the key to a beautiful meadowscape with low water needs. Establishing drought-tolerant plants requires some water initially to help establish healthy roots. Once established, drought-resistant wildflowers and will shine in the hot sun, even when the rain doesn't fall. Replacing a thirsty turf lawn or garden with wildflowers can help you conserve water, right in your backyard!

You don’t need acres of space to grow wildflowers - or to provide habitat for pollinators. In fact, a mini meadow can be planted on a rooftop, in planters, or along a sidewalk. Annual wildflowers, like Zinnias, Cosmos, Alyssum, and even dwarf Sunflowers are popular for small space plantings because they typically bloom all season from summer until frost. Annuals have a one-year lifecycle, so each year, you can plant fresh seeds in new colors, and experiment with finding your favorite flowers. Enjoy watching pollinators up-close!

Important tip! Be sure to measure your space and check the coverage rates of wildflower seeds before you plant. A little goes a long way when it comes to planting wildflower seeds -remember, each seed will produce an entire plant! Overseeding is an easy temptation, especially when space is limited.

Wildflowers can create a living fence, define a property line, and even add privacy to define your outdoor space.

Lining a fence with blooms adds plenty of natural beauty, while also blocking the view into your yard. Even if you don't have a fence installed, planting rows of wildflowers can define your property lines or act as a temporary seasonal "fence". 

If desired, tall wildflowers like Sunflowers can grow tall, quickly, to create the feeling of a living wall or fence. Some people like to plant them in a circle or square to create a playful outdoor room!

Planting wildflowers from seed is a cost-effective method to transform your yard. In a world where we usually have to choose between time, cost, and quality, we opt for all three when we plant wildflowers. Whether you’re overhauling acres of land, redesigning your patio, or converting your lawn into a meadowscape, seeds are bursting with potential - without bursting your pocketbook. Once you’ve established your meadow, you can reduce your mowing, watering and weeding to a minimum, which also helps save even more time and money. Sit back and enjoy your yard more than ever!

How To Choose A Regional Wildflower Seed Mix

How To Prepare Your Site For Planting Wildflowers

Visit Our Wildflower Learning Center For More Helpful Planting Guides