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.

  1. Colors of The Grand Teton Collage

    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 More
    Colors Of Grand Teton Wildflower Seed Mix Colors Of Grand Teton Wildflower Seed Mix
    As low as $19.95 Sale $15.96
    Per 1/4 Pound
    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. 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 grow
  2. Warm Color Wildflower Seed Patch

    Paint 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...

    Learn More
    Warm Color Wildflower Seed Patches Warm Color Wildflower Seed Patches
    As low as $9.95
    Per Burgundy Seed Patch - 2 oz
    Paint 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 – conveniently packaged in 2 oz bags. Seed Patches are a great for adding a burst of bright, bold 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 Warm Color Seed Patches). Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.
  3. Cool Color Wildflower Seed Patches

    Paint 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 – convenientl...

    Learn More
    Cool Color Wildflower Seed Patches Cool Color Wildflower Seed Patches
    As low as $9.95
    Per Pink Seed Patch - 2 oz
    Paint 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.
  4. Pollinator Wildflower Seed Patches

    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...

    Learn More
    Pollinator Wildflower Seed Patches Pollinator Wildflower Seed Patches
    As low as $9.95
    Per Backyard Birding Seed Patch - 2 oz
    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 bags. ​Seed Patches are great for adding a burst of color to gardens, containers, and established meadows. Create wildlife habitat in your yard – even in small spaces! Pick a Seed Patch (single 2oz bag) or save big with the Seed Patchwork (a collection of all four Seed Patches). Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.
  5. Purple Wildflower Seed Mix

    Paint your garden or meadow with flowers in your favorite color! Our Purple Wildflower Seed Mix features 10 wildflower varieties with pretty violet blooms, including gorgeous varieti...

    Learn More
    Purple Wildflower Seed Mix Purple Wildflower Seed Mix
    As low as $11.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Paint your garden or meadow with flowers in your favorite color! Our Purple Wildflower Seed Mix features 10 wildflower varieties with pretty violet blooms, including gorgeous varieties of Zinnias, Coneflowers, Liatris, and more. Imagination, magic, and inspiration are all associated with the uplifting color purple. Pair with blue and burgundy for harmonious color, or with orange and yellow for a high-contrast colorway. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.
  6. Orange Wildflower Seed Mix

    Paint your garden or meadow with your favorite color! Our Orange Wildflower Seed Mix features 10 wildflower varieties with attention-grabbing orange flowers, including eye-catching C...

    Learn More
    Orange Wildflower Seed Mix Orange Wildflower Seed Mix
    As low as $11.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Paint your garden or meadow with your favorite color! Our Orange Wildflower Seed Mix features 10 wildflower varieties with attention-grabbing orange flowers, including eye-catching California Poppies, Sulphur Cosmos, Sunflowers, and more. Optimism, energy, and creativity are all associated with the color orange. Pair with yellow and red for harmonious color, or with blue or purple for a high-contrast colorway. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.
  7. Burgundy Wildflower Seed Mix

    Paint your garden or meadow with flowers in your favorite color! Our Burgundy Wildflower Seed Mix features 13 wildflower varieties with bold deep red blooms, including eye-catching v...

    Learn More
    Burgundy Wildflower Seed Mix Burgundy Wildflower Seed Mix
    As low as $11.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Paint your garden or meadow with flowers in your favorite color! Our Burgundy Wildflower Seed Mix features 13 wildflower varieties with bold deep red blooms, including eye-catching varieties of Cornflowers, Sunflowers, Zinnias, and more. Sophistication, power, and elegance are all associated with the color burgundy. Pair with purple and red for harmonious color, or with yellow and orange for a high-contrast colorway. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow.
  8. Giant Cactus Rose Zinnia Seeds

    Giant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these pretty in pink blooms add irresistible beauty to your garden. Rose Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on full...

    Learn More
    Rose Giant Cactus Zinnia Seeds
    As low as $14.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Giant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these pretty in pink blooms add irresistible beauty to your garden. Rose Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully double flowers that can reach 4-5 inches across, with flowers atop sturdy stems. Like all Zinnias, they are easy to grow in any sunny spot and highly attractive to pollinators. These eye-catching blooms are must-haves for cut flower gardens. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Zinnia elegans)

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.

  1. Dwarf Coreopsis Seeds Red Plains, Coreopsis tinctoria Dwarf Red Plains

    Dwarf Red Plains Coreopsis is a versatile native wildflower that attracts bees and butterflies. Clusters of perky red flowers bloom continually from spring through summer, held on de...

    Learn More
    Dwarf Coreopsis Seeds Red Plains Dwarf Coreopsis Seeds Red Plains Coreopsis tinctoria Dwarf Red Plains
    As low as $15.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Dwarf Red Plains Coreopsis is a versatile native wildflower that attracts bees and butterflies. Clusters of perky red flowers bloom continually from spring through summer, held on delicate upright stems with fine foliage that fills out gracefully. At just a foot tall, it can be planted in the front of garden borders and is a great choice for low-growing meadows and wildflower lawns. It grows in a wide range of soil conditions, and also makes a cheerful cut flower. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Coreopsis tinctoria)
  2. Confetti Zinnia Mix, Zinnia elegans Confetti Mix

    A mix of yellow, red, lime, purple, orange, and magenta zinnias for a bright and festive flower display! Enjoy these colorful flowers blooming right through frost in flowerpots, gard...

    Learn More
    Confetti Zinnia Seed Mix Confetti Zinnia Mix Zinnia elegans Confetti Mix
    As low as $12.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    A mix of yellow, red, lime, purple, orange, and magenta zinnias for a bright and festive flower display! Enjoy these colorful flowers blooming right through frost in flowerpots, garden beds, or a meadow, and watch the parade of pollinators that join this flower fiesta. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
  3. Peachy Keen Zinnia Mix, Zinnia elegans Peachy Keen Mix

    Our Peachy Keen Zinnia Seed Mix will fill your garden with warm sun-kissed hues. Easy-to-grow Zinnias in yellow, coral, pink, and orange will bloom all summer, drawing pollinators an...

    Learn More
    Peachy Keen Zinnia Seed Mix Peachy Keen Zinnia Mix Zinnia elegans Peachy Keen Mix
    As low as $12.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Our Peachy Keen Zinnia Seed Mix will fill your garden with warm sun-kissed hues. Easy-to-grow Zinnias in yellow, coral, pink, and orange will bloom all summer, drawing pollinators and hummingbirds to your garden for a sweet treat. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
  4. Pink Lemonade Zinnia Mix, Zinnia elegans Pink Lemonade Mix

    Our Pink Lemonade Zinnia Seed Mix blooms all summer, offering a delicious nectar source for pollinators and hummingbirds. Easy-to-grow Zinnias in cherry red, pink, and lemon-lime add...

    Learn More
    Pink Lemonade Zinnia Seed Mix Pink Lemonade Zinnia Mix Zinnia elegans Pink Lemonade Mix
    As low as $12.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Our Pink Lemonade Zinnia Seed Mix blooms all summer, offering a delicious nectar source for pollinators and hummingbirds. Easy-to-grow Zinnias in cherry red, pink, and lemon-lime add sweet color to flowerpots, garden beds, and wildflower meadows. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
  5. Sunflower Seeds Chocolate Cherry, Helianthus annuus Chocolate Cherry close up with black-cherry petals

    Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers feature black-cherry petals surrounding a deep brown center. These striking blooms, measuring up to 5” across, glow red in the sunlight. Plant to ad...

    Learn More
    Sunflower Seeds Chocolate Cherry Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Helianthus annuus Chocolate Cherry
    As low as $12.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers feature black-cherry petals surrounding a deep brown center. These striking blooms, measuring up to 5” across, glow red in the sunlight. Plant to add a rich, moody hue to your garden and cut flower arrangements in summer and fall. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Helianthus)
  6. Crimson Velvet Sunflower, Helianthus annuus Crimson Velvet growing in meadow

    Crimson Velvet Sunflowers feature deep brown centers surrounded by petals in a matching hue, tipped with soft yellow as if dipped in sunshine. This striking heirloom variety is easy ...

    Learn More
    Sunflower Seeds Crimson Velvet Crimson Velvet Sunflower Helianthus annuus Crimson Velvet
    As low as $19.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    Crimson Velvet Sunflowers feature deep brown centers surrounded by petals in a matching hue, tipped with soft yellow as if dipped in sunshine. This striking heirloom variety is easy to grow, with large flowers up to 8 inches wide that create a landing pad for pollinators and birds. This of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Helianthus)
  7. Texas Bluebonnet, Lupine and pollinator

    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-seaso...

    Learn More
    Texas Bluebonnet Seeds Texas Bluebonnet Lupinus texensis
    As low as $12.95
    Per 1 Ounce
    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 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.
  8. Perennial Lupine Wildflowers, Lupinus perennis

    A 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 More
    Perennial Lupine Seeds Perennial Lupine Lupinus perennis
    As low as $17.95
    Per 1/4 Pound
    A 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.
Offers

Shop Exclusive Deals

© 2022 AmericanMeadows.com All rights reserved