When you envision wildflowers, you probably think of those little bursts of color you see along the side of the road or filling an empty field. Those are, indeed, some fine examples, but there are so many more. Wildflowers, like their name suggests, are flowers that grow naturally in “the wild.” The various species of them around the world are almost too numerous to count. And each area of the world has their own variety of wildflowers that grow best in the environment that surrounds them. For instance, in Eastern North America day lilies will grow freely, however, it would be rare for you to find one growing in Southwestern North America. The high temperatures there would be too extreme for this particular bloom. To learn what wildflowers are best for your area, check out this site listing Wildflowers by region.
In addition to their beauty and ease, wildflowers are also friendly to the environment. Once they are established in your yard, they do not need any additional care. This will save you money on fertilizers, chemicals and water, which will not only benefit the environment but save you some money as well. The environmental impact can be quite impressive too. By reducing the need for lawn maintenance equipment, you can actually help improve the air quality in your area. Wildflowers and native landscaping also help to combat global warming by storing carbon dioxide in their extensive root systems. They also have less of a need for water, because their roots help them retain and store more water than traditional mowed grass. Growing these care-free flowers and plants will not only improve the look of your yard, it will also improve the health of our planet.
Wildflowers are an inexpensive ways to brighten up your yard, attract birds, beautiful butterflies and other pollinating insects. You will have the most popular home in town if you decide to make space for wildflowers to bloom. While some wildflowers are widely considered to be “weeds,” many of them can be a wonderful addition to your garden. Their colors, interesting looks and ease of care make them an excellent choice for the beginning gardener. There isn’t much you can do to mess up a bunch of wildflowers. It’s a great way to introduce children to gardening as well. They can have their very own garden that will produce a colorful display of beauty. If you would like to help a kid in your life do this, come read this site about starting your own wildflower patch.
Some of the most popular wildflowers grown are the perennials: Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Sweet William, Mexican Hat and Coreopsis; and the annuals: African Daisy, Cosmos, Bachelor’s button, Baby’s Breath, Poppy and Zinnia. Almost any of these great flowers will grow in your own back yard with little effort on your part.
We hope you will save a little space in your garden for growing wildflowers this year. Not only is it an easy way to spread a little beauty, it is also helping to conserve the natural flora of your area. Every little bit helps to preserve the history and improve the quality of our environment by encouraging the growth of natural plants and flowers. Spring is the perfect time to spread the seeds around your garden, and we hope you will take the time to add a bit of wild beauty to your yard.
For even more information, check out these books and sites full of wonderful wildflower facts:
The Illustrated Book of Wildflowers and Shrubs
The Wildflower Book : East of the Rockies
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Wildflower Information.org
Wildflowers in Bloom
Host Julie lives in the Midwest and cannot wait to fill her yard with the beauty and color of flowers again. She hopes you all will plant something wild and new this year in your own yard.
