Growing Wildflowers - 4 Most Common Questions
Do I have to prepare my area prior to sowing my seed?
Yes. Preparing the area is really important, both for the short-term and long-term success of your wildflower planting. The more time and effort you spend during the initial preparation stage, getting rid of any grasses and weeds (and their entire root systems), the better results you'll end up getting come bloom-time.
By removing the grasses and weeds, you'll be eliminating any competition that your wildflowers may come up against; competition for water, available sunlight and soil nutrients. I can't stress enough how important it is to get yourself some nice bare soil as a starting point, so that your growing wildflowers can access their 'fair share' of resources. This will make a world of difference as your wildflowers enter those crucial early stages of growth and seek to establish themselves.
"When growing wildflowers, preparation is critically important to the overall success of your planting. The good news is that after you help them get their start, your wildflowers will require very little effort on your end."
Do I have to cover my seeds once I've sown them?
No. Ideally, once you've broadcast your seed over the surface of the soil (either by hand or with a seed spreader) you'll want to lightly press them into the soil. This 'compression' can be achieved by walking on a board laid over the seeds (directly in shoes is okay, too), or, if you're planting a larger area, by using a seed roller.
"You really don't want to rake the seed in or cover the seed because that could potentially hamper germination and lead to mixed results that don't meet your overall expectation for the planting."
View our complete instructions for planting and growing wildflowers here.
New to growing wildflowers? Our New To Wildflowers Collection is the perfect way to dig in. This collection includes one copy of Mini Meadows written by “The Seed Man” Mike Lizot...
Learn MoreNew To Wildflowers Collection New To Wildflowers CollectionAs low as $39.95 Sale $37.96Per 1/4 PoundNew to growing wildflowers? Our New To Wildflowers Collection is the perfect way to dig in. This collection includes one copy of Mini Meadows written by “The Seed Man” Mike Lizotte with inspiring meadow images and ‘how to’ tips for starting a meadow or seed planting anywhere in your yard. Paired with the book you will also receive a ¼ lb bag of our exclusive Mini Meadows Wildflower Seed Mix, and a handheld seed spreader to help sow seeds. Whether you’re starting small or dreaming big, you’ll have everything you need to grow beautiful blooms.Learn MorePlant our Mini Meadows Wildflower Seed Mix for a beautiful display of some of our most loved wildflower seeds. This one-of-a-kind mix was designed by Mike “The Seed Man” Lizotte ...
Learn MoreMini Meadows Wildflower Seed Mix Mini Meadows Wildflower Seed MixAs low as $14.95 Sale $14.21Per 1/4 PoundPlant our Mini Meadows Wildflower Seed Mix for a beautiful display of some of our most loved wildflower seeds. This one-of-a-kind mix was designed by Mike “The Seed Man” Lizotte to pair with his book, Mini Meadows. These easy-to-grow wildflowers will offer years of enjoyment for new and experienced wildflower gardeners alike. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreCreate beautiful flower arrangements from your own meadow or flower garden with our Bouquets For Days Wildflower Seed Mix. We’ve included a wide range of flower forms and textures ...
Learn MoreBouquets For Days Wildflower Seed Mix Bouquets For Days Wildflower Seed MixAs low as $14.95 Sale $14.21Per 1/4 PoundCreate beautiful flower arrangements from your own meadow or flower garden with our Bouquets For Days Wildflower Seed Mix. We’ve included a wide range of flower forms and textures in a diverse palette, with every color of the rainbow to let your inner artist shine. This mix features 27 annual varieties for bold first-season color and long-lasting blooms. Non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreOur Beneficial Bounty Wildflower Seed Collection will attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your vegetable garden to deter harmful pests and encourage a bountiful harvest. Br...
Learn MoreBeneficial Bounty Seed Collection Beneficial Bounty Seed Collection$32.95Our Beneficial Bounty Wildflower Seed Collection will attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your vegetable garden to deter harmful pests and encourage a bountiful harvest. Bright blooms will fill your garden with color and can be harvested for cut flowers. Includes Zinnias and edible Marigolds, Calendula, and Nasturtium, which can be used for tea and garnishes. Non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreFor a vibrant dose of summer color, plant our Sulphur Cosmos & Zinnia Seed Combo. Sulphur Cosmos dance among coral, white, and berry purple Zinnias for a flower display that lights u...
Learn MoreSulphur Cosmos & Zinnia Seed Combo Sulphur Cosmos & Under The Sea Zinnia Mix Cosmos sulphureus & Zinnia elegans Under The Sea Mix$45.95Per 2 PoundsFor a vibrant dose of summer color, plant our Sulphur Cosmos & Zinnia Seed Combo. Sulphur Cosmos dance among coral, white, and berry purple Zinnias for a flower display that lights up your garden from summer through fall. Easy to grow for pollinator-friendly plantings and cheerful cut flowers. Non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Cosmos sulphureus and Zinnia elegans)Learn MoreOur new Wet Area Wildflower Seed Mix is the perfect mix of colorful wildflowers and textural grasses for wet soil. A dozen perennial wildflowers, including favorites such as Aster, M...
Learn MoreWet Meadow Wildflower Seed Mix Wet Meadow Wildflower Seed MixAs low as $15.95 Sale $15.16Per 1/4 PoundOur new Wet Area Wildflower Seed Mix is the perfect mix of colorful wildflowers and textural grasses for wet soil. A dozen perennial wildflowers, including favorites such as Aster, Milkweed, Liatris, Helenium, Joe Pye Weed, and more will provide flowers all season long to attract butterflies and other pollinators. These wildflowers are complemented by a range of perennial grasses that provide lush green foliage and interesting textures from small flowers and seed heads. While most wildflowers do best with well-draining soil, our Wet Area Mix is specially formulated to succeed in meadows or gardens near water features and streams. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Learn More‘Under The Sea’ Zinnia Mix includes three colors that will remind you of the tropics! Nectar-rich berry purple, white sand, and coral pink flowers blooms all summer. Long-bloomin...
Learn MoreUnder The Sea Zinnia Seed Mix Under The Sea Zinnia Mix Zinnia elegans Under The Sea MixAs low as $15.95Per 1/4 Pound‘Under The Sea’ Zinnia Mix includes three colors that will remind you of the tropics! Nectar-rich berry purple, white sand, and coral pink flowers blooms all summer. Long-blooming flowers have rich colors and will attract butterflies and pollinators. Plant these easy-to-grow and deer resistant seeds in full sun – make sure to plant enough for cut flower bouquets! Annual. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Learn More‘South of the Border’ Zinnia Mix is a bright, bold mix of yellow, red, and bicolor flowers. As the name hints, these flowers originated in warm, sunny Mexico, and are native to t...
Learn MoreSouth Of The Border Zinnia Seed Mix South Of The Border Zinnia Mix Zinnia elegans South Of The Border MixAs low as $10.95Per 1/4 Pound‘South of the Border’ Zinnia Mix is a bright, bold mix of yellow, red, and bicolor flowers. As the name hints, these flowers originated in warm, sunny Mexico, and are native to the Southwestern US as well. Count on Zinnias to attract butterflies and beneficial pollinators from summer right up until frost and provide plenty of excellent cut flowers. Zinnias are easy to grow and deer resistant. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.Learn More
What happens when the birds and squirrels try to eat my wildflower seeds?
Don't worry, your wildflowers are going to be fine! Birds and squirrels and other animals can come in and eat a few seeds; but they can't make enough of a dent for you to worry about it.
View our complete instructions for planting and growing wildflowers here.
Just to give you a sense, there are roughly a 100,000 seeds in a quarter pound of our seed mixes! That should make it easier to visualize why the success of your meadow and the overall outcome will still be perfectly fine, even if the birds show up.
"If you do tend to have a lot of birds come in, you can always put a light coverage of straw on top of the seed to offer a little more protection. In most cases, even if the birds arrive right after the seed is sown, it just won't make much of a difference."
How soon after I plant my wildflowers should I expect to see color?
Well... under the assumption that you planted a mix that included some annuals (annuals are flowers that bloom in the first year), you can expect to see germination (green sprouts) in about 7 to 14 days. Your first annual color should begin to arrive about 5 to 7 weeks after you've sown your mix.
"Under optimal conditions, where the ground temperatures are above 55 degrees and there's available sunlight and moisture, you'll see germination in 7 to 14 days and flowers in about 5 to 7 weeks."
Many mixes also include perennial wildflowers, which have a longer life-cycle than annuals and generally bloom for the first time during their second season. While perennials need the first growing season to establish themselves, the upside is that they don't need to be re-planted the following year and are usually actively growing before annuals are able to be seeded.
Limited Quantities Available!Texas Bluebonnet is a true-blue beauty and one of the worlds most well-known wildflowers. Famous for creating carpets of sweeping indigo color mid-season...
Learn MoreTexas Bluebonnet Seeds Texas Bluebonnet Lupinus texensisAs low as $12.95 Sale $12.31Per 1 OunceLimited Quantities Available!Texas Bluebonnet is a true-blue beauty and one of the worlds most well-known wildflowers. Famous for creating carpets of sweeping indigo color mid-season in meadows throughout the country, this variety prefers sandy, loamy and well-draining soils, as well as a minimum of six hours of sun per day. In warmer areas, Texas Bluebonnets act as perennials, coming back year after year, but in colder areas, they act as annuals. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.Learn MoreA field of Lupine is an amazing sight, with spiky blooms of saturated indigo-blue that last from late spring to summer. Combine them with later-blooming flowers (like Shasta Daisy an...
Learn MorePerennial Lupine Seeds Perennial Lupine Lupinus perennisAs low as $17.95Per 1/4 PoundA field of Lupine is an amazing sight, with spiky blooms of saturated indigo-blue that last from late spring to summer. Combine them with later-blooming flowers (like Shasta Daisy and Rudbeckia) for an extended season of color. Growing to be about 12-36” tall, Lupine is a great choice for the front of the meadow or garden bed. Extremely easy to grow and deer resistant, this perennial flower blooms year after year. Seeds are 100% pure, non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreCosmos lights up the garden or meadow in midsummer with pink, crimson and white flowers that hold until frost on tall plants. Attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds, its col...
Learn MoreCosmos Seeds Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatusAs low as $12.95 Sale $12.31Per 1/4 PoundCosmos lights up the garden or meadow in midsummer with pink, crimson and white flowers that hold until frost on tall plants. Attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds, its colorful and abundant blooms are easy to grow in any region. Cosmos is a popular cutting flower with ferny foliage and strong stems and looks lovely planted along a fenceline. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreShasta Daisies boast huge white blooms, sunny yellow center disks and glossy green foliage and best of all, they flower for the entire summer season. Perky and cheerful, Shasta Daisi...
Learn MoreShasta Daisy Seeds Shasta Daisy Chrysanthemum maximumAs low as $21.95 Sale $20.86Per 1/4 PoundShasta Daisies boast huge white blooms, sunny yellow center disks and glossy green foliage and best of all, they flower for the entire summer season. Perky and cheerful, Shasta Daisies are spectacular in a meadow, wildflower garden, or when cut for bouquets. Long-lived perennials, these wildflowers will return with enthusiasm each year. All of the seed we offer at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreRed Poppy, also known as Flanders Poppy, is famed around the world for the carpet of red beauty it creates when in full bloom. A must-have for any wildflower meadow or garden, this e...
Learn MoreRed Poppy Seeds Red Poppy, Corn Poppy, Flanders Poppy, Shirley Poppy Papaver rhoeasAs low as $17.95 Sale $17.06Per 1/4 PoundRed Poppy, also known as Flanders Poppy, is famed around the world for the carpet of red beauty it creates when in full bloom. A must-have for any wildflower meadow or garden, this easy-to-grow annual delights with bright blooms throughout the summer season. Deer resistant and attractive to pollinators, Red Poppies can be planted in any region of the US. We're proud to sell only 100% pure, non-GMO and neonicotinoid-free seeds. Guaranteed to grow.Learn MorePurple Coneflower, also called Echinacea, is famous across the country for its stunning purple flowers and golden center cones. A perennial butterfly and bee magnet, this native wild...
Learn MorePurple Coneflower Seeds Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpureaAs low as $22.95 Sale $21.81Per 1/4 PoundPurple Coneflower, also called Echinacea, is famous across the country for its stunning purple flowers and golden center cones. A perennial butterfly and bee magnet, this native wildflower is extremely easy to grow and looks equally at home in the garden, meadow, or vase. Leave your Purple Coneflower planting in place over the winter to attract goldfinches and other songbirds. 100% pure, non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free seeds are guaranteed to grow.Learn MoreVersatile, drought-tolerant and easy-to-grow, Black Eyed Susan adds a cheerful splash of color to the summer landscape. A native plant that attracts a variety of pollinators, Black E...
Learn MoreBlack Eyed Susan Seeds Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirtaAs low as $15.95 Sale $15.16Per 1/4 PoundVersatile, drought-tolerant and easy-to-grow, Black Eyed Susan adds a cheerful splash of color to the summer landscape. A native plant that attracts a variety of pollinators, Black Eyed Susan pairs beautifully with other prairie favorites like Purple Coneflower and Butterfly Weed. Its adapatable nature makes it a great choice for poor soils and tough conditions. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Biennial.Learn MoreBlooming in a rainbow of colors, the Cut and Come Again Mixture provides endless Zinnias from mid-summer all the way until frost, giving you plenty of blooms to cut and bring indoors...
Learn MoreZinnia Seeds Cut and Come Again Mix Cut and Come Again Zinnia Zinnia elegansAs low as $9.95Per 1/4 PoundBlooming in a rainbow of colors, the Cut and Come Again Mixture provides endless Zinnias from mid-summer all the way until frost, giving you plenty of blooms to cut and bring indoors. Like all Zinnia, this mixture is extremely easy to grow, deer resistant and attracts pollinators to the garden. Can be grown in any region. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.Learn More